How do I teach my 2-year-old beagle to stop chewing on my plants?

Question

She has been trained by a professional dog-trainer, in fact she knows many tricks and is pretty well-behaved. But when left on her own she munches on my plants!

Answer 1

It's pretty hard to teach a Beagle anything when you're not there to correct her. I'd say either put the plants where she can't reach them or place a decorative wall around them. Pet stores sell knobby plastic pads or electric pads that deter an animal from walking in a particular place.

This is a link to the "Scat Mat" that gives a mild static shock:
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441775467&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302033166&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023689&bmUID=1154112906709&itemNo=9&In=Dog&N=2033166&Ne=2

This is a "Sofa Scram" that emits a loud noise:
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441782018&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302033166&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023689&bmUID=1154112906829&itemNo=22&In=Dog&N=2033166&Ne=2

Answer 2

Alot of times, what happens is, the dog chews on the plans while you're there, so you correct the dog, telling them not to do it. But in the dog's mind this means "Don't do it while mom's watching!" The best thing to do is to find a way that the PLANT can correct the dog for chewing on it. Such as Bitter Apple, or Bitter Yuck, Tabasco, Something that will make a nosie like a "No Can Do" can.

Answer 3

I have raised two beagles. I found that before the age of three they are never to be left on their own and have run of the house while you are away. THis is asking for trouble. Both of my beagles had to be crated when I left until at least 2 and half. If i left them out they would destroy many things that I value and some that are not good for them. One day Hemi - my 3 year old at the time he was 2 - destroyed a grape vine basket. This was very serious because he almost had to have emergency stomach surgery to remove basket stuck in his intestine. Thank fully everything passed through him successfully. I came to the realization that crating him wasn't mean it was for his own safety.

If you still want to leave your beagle out teach him the "leave it" command. Or place your plants out of his reach.

Here is a web site that details the "Leave it" command
http://www.nwk9.com/article_leave_it.htm

Answer 4

I would go with the bitter apple spray on the plants.

The other part of the solution is to give her something to keep her occupied while you're away. Is she an agressive chewer? My dog is moderate as far as chewing, so I stuff a bunch of Kong toys with dry dog food mixed with canned food, and maybe seal the openings with peanut butter. I put them in the fridge so they get nice and firm. When I go out, I give her the Kongs in place of her dinner, and she spends time working on the Kongs while I'm out.

But if your dog is an agressive chewer (meaning she will tear up toys and treats within minutes and probably swallow chunks of them), then I wouldn't go with the stuffed Kongs. Any toys or treats should be given under supervision if your dog is an agressive chewer.

Crating is a good option if you just can't trust your dog to be alone in the house. It's not cruel; you just have to teach your dog to view the crate as her own personal den, a safe, comforting space. Look up "crate training" online for tips--don't just lock her in and leave her right away!

Good luck!

Answer 5

Sprinkle hot red peppers or tabasco on the plants that you don't want her chewing on. I don't know if it will do anything to your plants so just try it on a small portion. I don't think your plants will suffer, you don't need much for your dog to back off, unless she's the Taco Bell Chihuahua & likes spicy food . haha Good luck,Aloha from Hawaii!

Answer 6

I've been told to try cayenne pepper or tabasco sauce. Haven't tried either one. I use the kennel/crate when I'm not home, and a loud hand clap with a firm "NO" when I am home.

You may just want to confine her away from the plants when you're out.

Answer 7

You can go to walmart or where ever pet products are sold, and you can buy a spray that keep pets off couches, counters, etc... I'm guessing that you could probably use it on the plant's pot also, as it is supposed to have a scent to it that animals don't like.

HOpe this helps.

Answer 8

have you ever tried making use of bitter apple? you could get the stuff at maximum places that promote puppy substances. the reason many do not get sturdy outcomes from bitter Apple is they don't use it properly. I were given this suggestion from my vet after I complained that my canines develop into chewing each and every thing and bitter Apple did not do a element to renounce him. you need to grant the canines a sturdy spray of the product properly into her mouth. i recognize this sounds recommend yet she has to affiliate the the smell of it with the terrible style. Then spray it on a lot of issues the canines ought to frequently bite on and merely the smell will make her leave it on my own. in case you merely attempt to apply it to issues without first giving that initial shot in the mouth, she gained't get adequate of the product to make it that undesirable. After she has somewhat tasted the product all you choose to do is get the heady scent of it on issues which aren't any further "hers". sturdy success, i recognize how exasperating this situation ought to correctly be. once i began making use of the vet's suggestion all chewing finally stopped.

Answer 9

put poison on your plants and your dog will stop

Answer 10

when it does spray it with water and say...NO!!!