How to Stop Your Beagle Eating Everything: 7 Tips from Owners
Are you tired of coming home to find your Beagle has chewed up yet another item in your home? Do you worry about the health risks associated with their insatiable appetite for anything they can find? If so, keep reading to learn how you can help your furry friend curb their eating habits.
Beagles are known for their curious and friendly nature, but they can also be very mischievous, especially when it comes to eating everything in sight. If you have a Beagle, you have probably experienced the frustration of having your beloved pet eat things they shouldn’t, from your favourite shoes to your expensive furniture. Not only can this be costly and damaging to your property, but it can also be dangerous for your pet’s health. Ingesting foreign objects can cause digestive problems and even lead to surgery. In this article, we will explore some of the things that you can try to stop your Beagle from eating everything.
Understanding Why Your Beagle Eats Everything
Before you can stop your Beagle from eating everything, you need to understand why they do it, here’s some common reasons why beagles often try to eat everything:
Curiosity & Natural Scavengers
Beagles are natural scavengers and curious & dogs by nature, and their desire to explore the world around them can lead them to eat things that they shouldn’t. They are known for being “scent hounds,” and their keen sense of smell can lead them to investigate anything that smells interesting, even if it’s not meant to be eaten.
Boredom
Beagles are active dogs that require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy and happy. If they are not getting enough activity or if they are left alone for long periods of time, they may turn to destructive behaviours like eating everything in sight.
Hunger
Beagles are known for having healthy appetites, and they may try to eat things because they are hungry. This can happen if they are not getting enough food, or if they are not getting the right type of food to meet their nutritional needs.
Anxiety
Some beagles may turn to eating as a way to cope with anxiety or stress. This can happen if they are left alone for long periods of time or if they are in a new or unfamiliar environment.
Attention-seeking
Beagles are social dogs that crave attention from their owners. If they are not getting enough attention, they may resort to destructive behaviours like eating things they shouldn’t to get your attention.
Medical issues
In some cases, beagles may try to eat everything due to underlying medical issues like gastrointestinal problems, anaemia, or even diabetes. If you suspect that your beagle’s eating habits are abnormal, it’s important to consult with your vet to rule out any underlying health issues.
7 tips to Help Stop your Beagle Eating Everything
Now you understand why your beagle is trying to eat everything, you can work to stop it, some of my favourite tips are as listed below:
- Supervision
- Providing Adequate Stimulation
- Teaching “Leave it” as a Command
- Using Deterrents
- Training with Positive Reinforcements
- Considering a Change in Diet
- Knowing when to seek professional help
Supervision
The simplest and most effective way to stop your Beagle from eating everything is to supervise them at all times. Keep your dog on a leash or in a crate when you cannot keep an eye on them. This way, you can intervene if they try to eat something they shouldn’t.
Provide Adequate Stimulation
As we mentioned earlier, Beagles need a lot of stimulation. Make sure your dog is getting enough exercise and playtime. Take them for long walks, play fetch, or consider enrolling them in dog sports like agility or obedience training. When you do walk your Beagle, you should walk them with a harness, so you can pull back on your beagle if they are trying to eat something without causing them any discomfort. Alternatively, if behaviours persist, you can try a muzzle as a last resort.
Teach “Leave it”
Teaching your dog the “leave it” command can be very helpful in stopping them from eating everything. Start by placing a treat on the ground and covering it with your hand. When your dog sniffs at your hand, say “leave it” and reward them with a different treat. Repeat this process until your dog understands the command.
Use Deterrents
There are several deterrents you can use to discourage your Beagle from eating everything. One popular option is bitter apple spray, which has a foul taste that dogs typically dislike. You can also try using a “pet corrector” spray, which emits a loud noise to startle your dog when they try to eat something they shouldn’t. This is perhaps my least favourite, and considered a last resort option before going for some professional help.
Train with Positive Reinforcement
Perhaps my favourite methods of training for beagles, positive reinforcement is a popular and effective approach to teaching dogs new behaviours, Beagles, being rather sensitive dogs, respond well to positive reinforcement training.
This method of training focuses on rewarding the behaviours that you want to see more of, rather than punishing bad behaviour.
When your dog does something good, like choosing not to eat something they shouldn’t, reward them with a treat (Bella particularly loves gravy bones) or praise. If you are feeding them treats, you should be careful to not overfeed them, as beagles are prone to weight gain, you could opt for a diet friendly food or treat if you are concerned.
The trick to positive reinforcement training is consistency, if you’re not consistent with your commands, tone of voice and rewards, then you’ll see inconsistent results!
Consider a Change in Diet
Some dogs eat everything because they are not getting the nutrients they need from their food. Consider changing your Beagle’s diet to a high-quality, balanced dog food that meets their nutritional needs.
When to Seek Professional Help
If your Beagle’s eating habits are causing health problems or have become a serious issue, it may be time to seek professional help.
Your vet can provide guidance on how to manage your dog’s eating habits, including recommendations for behaviour training or even medication to address underlying issues, alternatively, you can use a professional trainer, ideally who specialises in beagles, I recommend having a look around your local area or asking on forums/Facebook for recommendations.
Final thoughts
The first step to stopping your beagle from eating everything is to understand why they do it. Their curiosity as a breed is often one of the key reasons why they do it, but other reasons are boredom, hunger and even anxiety amongst others.
Once you’ve understood why your beagle is trying to eat everything, you can begin to work to put a stop to those naughty behaviours!
Some of the best steps you can take are to:
- Supervision
- Providing Adequate Stimulation
- Teaching “Leave it” as a Command
- Using Deterrents
- Training with Positive Reinforcements
- Considering a Change in Diet
- Knowing when to seek professional help
Next in this series, we’re going to look at obedience training your beagle, another task that’s easier said than done!
FAQs
What Are The Most Common Things That Beagles Tend To Chew On?
Some of the common things beagle’s love to chew on are toys, bones, furniture, shoes and sticks. If your beagle is teething, it’s important to get them teething toys.
How can I tell if my Beagle is eating something they shouldn’t be?
Beagles are known for being curious and adventurous, which can sometimes lead them to eat things they shouldn’t. If you suspect that your Beagle has eaten something they shouldn’t have, there are several signs to look out for, including vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, lethargy and a general change in behaviour.
Are There Any Foods That Beagles Should Avoid Eating?
Yes, there are plenty of foods beagles (and other dogs shouldn’t eat), including, grapes, raisins, chocolate, onions, garlic and avocado to name a few, we’ve got a whole host of guides on items your beagle can and can’t eat if you’d like to know more.
What are some effective ways to train a Beagle to stop eating everything in sight?
Some effective ways to train a Beagle to stop eating everything in sight are:
- Teach basic commands: Teaching your Beagle basic commands like “leave it” and “drop it” can be helpful in preventing them from eating things they shouldn’t. Practise these commands with treats and gradually work up to using them in real-life situations.
- Offer appropriate chew toys: Beagles love to chew, and offering appropriate chew toys can satisfy their natural urge to chew and prevent them from chewing on inappropriate objects. Make sure to choose durable toys that can withstand heavy chewing.
- Using deterrents such as bitter apple spray or “pet corrector” spray can help keep unwanted behaviours at bay.
Can anxiety or stress be a reason for a Beagle’s destructive eating behaviour?
Yes, Beagles are prone to separation anxiety and can also be stressed and anxious if their environment is unpredictable. Lack of exercise and mental stimulation, such as having toys to play with can have an effect on behaviour. When stressed, it’s common for beagles to display unwanted behaviours such as eating everything in sight or chewing.
What types of toys or chew treats are recommended to distract a Beagle from destructive chewing?
There are several chew toys that we’d recommend, including this fun pineapple chew toy and this carrot rope toy.
Are there any environmental factors that could be contributing to my Beagle’s chewing behaviour?
Yes, new environments and people can contribute to unwanted chewing behaviour from beagles, for example, if you get a new baby, or have new people live with you, or even introduce new pets, this can lead to less attention for your pup and potentially lead to unwanted behaviours.
Is there a specific diet that can help prevent a Beagle from eating everything in sight?
Consider buying a slow feeder bowl, these help slow your beagle down whilst they are eating, helping them to digest their food better and feel more full. Otherwise you can try diet foods that are made up of better ingredients and will help your beagle feel more full.
Are there any natural remedies that can help deter Beagles from eating things they shouldn’t?
Using deterrents such as bitter apple spray or “pet corrector” spray can help keep unwanted behaviours at bay – although in my opinion these should be used as a last resort as I prefer a less aggressive method.
How can I properly discipline my Beagle if they continue to chew on things they shouldn’t?
Discipline is most effective when it is used in conjunction with positive reinforcement and an understanding of your Beagle’s needs and behaviours. So, I’d always recommend trying behaviour redirection (offering a treat) and positive reinforcement over physical punishment, which I’d strongly recommend against. You could also opt to crate train your beagle, which keeps them out of harm’s way.
Can training classes or professional dog trainers help with beagles eating everything?
Yes, normally as a last resort I’d suggest training classes or professional dog trainers as a way to help with beagles eating everything. This is an effective option, but if you treat the behaviour from puppy stage, you should be able to avoid it on your own.
How can I make my home more Beagle-proof to prevent them from eating things they shouldn’t?
Naturally, to help make your home beagle proof, the first step is to keep as much out of beagle reach as you can, especially food, medicines, cleaning products and loose wires. Ensure you secure your bins as well, as if they can get into them, they will!