Later that same day

[ksmith]

Spoke with vet. She agreed that King should be started on the Sucralfate. She also suggested sprinkling cayenne pepper on the spots where he snacks. Many warnings were given as to possible responses to the pepper, which could include whining and pawing of the mouth as the heat took hold.

I bought two bottles of the stuff. Opened one, and held out the cap for King to sniff.

He licked it. Then he licked it again. Smacked his lips.

I, otoh, managed to pepper spray myself when a gust of wind hit the bottle while I was spreading it. I don't know how much got in my eyes, but I felt it.

Tried King with the pepper again. Mikey likes it. He's drunk a bit of water since, and I've no idea whether it will burn when it comes out the other end. But it didn't seem to faze him at all.

Vet thought this might happen since King seems immune to Bitter Apple. The next step may be jalapeño.

Much as I hate the stuff, I think I'll be getting some lava rock to cover the remains of the mulch. I can't get rid of all the damned stuff, and it's just possible that King has acquired a long-term taste for crunchy, woodsey goodness. With a side order of spicy.

Comments

[lilisonna.livejournal.com]

Drive by commenting: my mother once tried to train her Doberman to not eat random things found in the yard. After the dog happily snapped up the habenero-laced treats, she gave up.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Some dogs have asbestos-lined mouths. I'm afraid King might be one of them.

[(Anonymous)]

You might try a vinegar-laced concoction like habanero hot sauce -- the liquid both helps it stay where it's supposed to be and (if His Majesty immediately tries to sample it) spreads it around in the mouth for a bigger bit of unpleasantness. Plus the vinegary smell is also a deterrent itself.

Unless, of course, you're as fond of cooking Korean and Southeast Asian food as we are, which makes the dog think "vinegar" mean "leftover people food particles on the floor."

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Vet will be calling tomorrow. Habanero was discussed as a possible second step. I've heard that Listerine is a good deterrent as well.