Are Beagles aggressive chewers? Top tips for dogs that love to chew!
Cocoa the Beagle shows us a gentler way to satisfy their chewing urge.
Beagles are enthusiastic chewers, and some will take any opportunity to chew on a favorite toy. Young Beagle pups will chew to ease the pain of teething, and adult Beagles chew to keep their teeth in good condition. Prolonged or destructive chewing can be a sign that your Beagle is trying to self-soothe to alleviate stress, anxiety, frustration, or boredom.
1. Why do Beagles like to chew?
2. Are Beagles aggressive chewers?
1) Why do Beagles like to chew?
It is not uncommon to see a Beagle happily chewing away on a favorite toy, exercising their powerful jaw muscles, and generally having fun. Although chewing behavior in Beagles can be frustrating for dog owners, especially when your canine pal takes to [CR1] chewing on furniture or destroying precious household objects, the urge to chew can be completely natural. Common reasons for chewing behavior in dogs include:
a) Teething
If you have a young Beagle, the most likely reason they chew is to ease the pain of teething, the process where their adult teeth replace the baby teeth. Teething starts when pups are around 16 weeks old and can continue until their first birthday. During this time, discomfort and itching are eased by chewing, which can become a life-long habit.
b) Dental care
Chewing plays an important role in dental maintenance as your Beagle grows older. In the wild, your Beagle's canine ancestors would spend hours chewing on bones, not just for their nutritional content but also to keep their teeth clean and jaws strong. This form of chewing is a fun and stimulating activity and can be encouraged by providing your Beagle with chew toys and treats.
c) Self-soothing
Like any habit, chewing can get out of control, and excessive chewing is often a sign that your dog is trying to self-soothe. If your Beagle tends to carry out destructive chewing on non-toy objects, they could be bored, stressed, anxious, frustrated, or hungry.
2) Are Beagles aggressive chewers?
I'm not a fan of the word 'aggressive' when it comes to Beagles - after all, they are the most loveable, placid, and easy-going dog breed you'll ever come across! It would be better to describe Beagles as enthusiastic chewers who love any opportunity to exercise their jaw muscles, in contrast to more industrious chewers such as Labradors or German Shepherds.
Let's face it, Beagles are remarkably strong dogs. These lovable hounds were originally bred for hunting, using their strong jaws to catch and carry prey. These days you're far more likely to find your Beagle carrying their favorite chew toy, but they'll definitely give even the most robust toy a run for its money when the urge to chew kicks in.
It is important to note that not all Beagles are avid chewers - Cocoa, my Beagle, will mouth and nibble on her plush toys, but tearing apart hard toys is not her thing at all. However, the same cannot be said for all Beagles, and sadly, this means that they have an undeserved reputation as being aggressive chewers, quickly tearing apart toys and household objects. If you've arrived home to find your Beagle wrapping their jaws around a leg of your dining table or ripping your couch cushions apart, you'll understand just how frustrating this problem can be! But, if chewing is a natural behavior for dogs, should you stop them from doing it? Let's take a look!
Cocoa prefers a tender touch to her toys, debunking the 'aggressive chewer' myth.
3) Should you stop your Beagle from chewing?
Whether you stop your Beagle from chewing depends on the type of chewing behavior they display. Young dogs that are teething should absolutely be allowed to chew, as this helps to ease the discomfort associated with teething. Experts recommend providing puppy-safe chew toys, particularly those that can be frozen first to help soothe sore and inflamed gums. During this period it is vital to prevent your pup from chewing on clothes, shoes, and furniture, as this behavior can become a life-long habit.
As your Beagle pup grows into an adult, some chewing behavior will likely continue. If this is the contented chewing of a favorite toy or treats ball during relaxation time, great! This is a sign of a happy Beagle doing what normal Beagles do. Just be prepared to invest in good-quality toys that can withstand the robust chewing attention of a Beagle, as cheaper ones tend to be destroyed in a matter of minutes.
However, if your Beagle is continuously chewing, especially when left home alone, this could be a sign of a bigger problem. If you are repeatedly coming home to find teeth marks on household objects or furniture, your Beagle may be feeling anxious, stressed, frustrated, or bored. Beagles that are placed on a restricted diet may also display destructive chewing behavior in an attempt to alleviate their hunger.
4) How do I stop my Beagle from chewing?
In situations where excessive chewing is a symptom of distress, such as separation anxiety, it is important to address the underlying problem first. It may be that your Beagle struggles with being left home alone or is not getting enough exercise. Seeking the support of a reputable dog trainer can be invaluable in helping to pinpoint and address the cause of destructive chewing.
At the same time, you can also help to redirect your Beagle's chewing tendencies, helping to protect your home from further damage. Start by 'dog-proofing' your house, putting objects away so your dog cannot access them. Furniture can be sprayed with a chew deterrent, which leaves a strong bitter taste if your Beagle attempts to chew. Many Beagle owners find it easier to confine their dogs to a single area of the house if they need to be left home alone.
Provide plenty of toys for your dog to chew, and make sure they get plenty of mental stimulation and physical exercise to prevent boredom and frustration. Remember that all dogs like to chew from time to time - your task here is to redirect that chewing instinct onto toys and treats that your dog enjoys, rather than your furniture!
So, while it is important to recognize that chewing is a natural behavior for Beagles, it can develop into unwanted and destructive chewing if your dog's emotional and physical needs are not met. A happy, balanced Beagle that gets plenty of exercise will happily chew away on favorite toys and treat balls, without resorting to destroying furniture and household objects.
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