My dog is a seemingly incurable scavenger specialising in excrement. Walks are becoming very stressful for me as he is always in the lookout for dog poo in the long grass (and everywhere else) kindly left by people who don’t pick it up. Or bits of food. I am worried he will get something dangerous eventually.  I have a Basketville muzzle but he hates it and it is hard and looks uncomfortable. Is there a soft muzzle that anyone has experience of?

River has a soft fabric one we use at the vets’ because he’s fearful and has bitten staff in the past (although he’s improving a lot). I don’t think it would stop him scavenging though, he can still take treats while wearing it because it’s basically open at the nose end. And he can still nip slightly if he feels like it, although he wouldn’t do much damage.

You probably need a soft basket one, I guess. Of course you need to train a dog to wear whatever type, gradually getting them used to it. I used Primula cheese in a tube to persuade Riv to put his nose in and it took ages until he was happy with me clipping it behind his head.

Also how annoying is it that people don’t pick up what their dogs leave behind? It’s not exactly difficult and it’s disgusting, especially where kids play.

Is it thay the baskerville is uncomfortable or would he be similar with any muzzle?

Have a look at chirag panels muzzle training and see if starting from basics again helps .maybe with a soft muzzle to begin with

PLEASE don't be tempted tp use a soft muzzle like the mesh ones that keep the mouth closed, they are used by vets etc but for very short periods and should NEVER be used on a walk as they prevent the dog from panting.

I wasn't meaning fpr the op to use a soft muzzle fpr walking bit as a stage to get used ro being muzzled btw.  Perhaps I shpuld have added that

wasn't directed at your comment - honest , just that the OP gave the impression that they considered using a soft muzzle instead of a baskerville or similar for walks

No problem tatty ed ;)just wanted to be clear what I meant. I was wondering if it wasmuzzles per session as I have one who no matter what I do now won't wear a muzzle with out being distressed. .
I know what caused it

Baskervilles rarely fit well, so many dogs aren't happy in them.

A well fitting muzzle looks almost comically oversized, but it makes a huge difference to comfort level.  For a scavenger, you'd want to block the end off.  Some greyhound muzzles come with a stool guard for that purpose, or the Jafco vinyl muzzle is suitable too and can be worn during exercise.  That is an american brand but, there's a UK version of them but I can't remember the name!

If you go to The Muzzle Shop, they can help with greyhound style light plastic ones and with fitting; and if you're on Facebook, go on this group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/muzzleuppup

The UK alternative to the Jafco is named on there if you search for it.  I'm not a member now so I can't find out for you, sorry.

There are different types of Jafco-type muzzle but this is the style you want to look for if you go for one of those:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Clear-Jafco-Size-3rd-Strap/dp/B07BGDJCNG

Thank you. I am aware of the issues with the fabric ones that keep the mouth shut. Hence my question of does anyone have experience of a suitable soft muzzle? Is the choice either the Baskerville type or nothing? Even the Jafco one is big and intrusive. Is there no other muzzle no matter what material that is soft and big enough to allow breathing properly?

I did the muzzle training and although ok in the house he is a different dog outside. Anxious, stressed and walks as my shadow. What’s the point of walking for him if he is so scared he can’t enjoy it? I hoped if there was a more comfortable less obtrusive muzzle we could start afresh.

He does it on and off the lead. It’s hard to distinguish a sniff for scent, a sniff to find a good place to do a wee/poo or locating a really tasty morsel. The only time he doesn’t scVenge is when we play with chasing balls. But I don’t want every walk to be about balls. And no he won’t carry one without expecting it to be thrown which makes it a different kind of walk.

Yesterday I was hyoervigilent and he still managed to get two impromptu snacks. Once when he was on the lead and I was making way for a wheelchair to get past. I was awoken at 5am by him vomiting up something disgusting.

Not that's going to stop him eating poo.  There are bait muzzles which are a bit like a grazing muzzle for dogs, or there are foxtail hoods (American again, to keep nasty big grass seeds off the head), but anything soft like those can just be pushed into poo.

If he's scared in a muzzle outside then regardless of the type, you need to do more work, focusing outside - it may be that he just hasn't generalised that training to that environment.

What sort of dog is he? If he has a long relatively narrow muzzle the wire greyhound or whippet racing muzzles are very light, they are also really bendy so you can manipulate/bend them to suit the shape of the dogs head (within reason) they obviously wouldn't work for bull breeds etc. I used a wire racing muzzle with a covid face mask tied on it to stop a youngster eating poo

They don't last very long, especially if you've changed the shape. We use them for some of the dogs at our racing club and I have to replace them about once a year as the solder breaks and sometimes you get loose wires, but that's the downside of them being so light to wear.