Help Stop The Gutting Instinct

[boobeagle1]

I have no pillows left! I was fortunate enough for someone to drop off a beagle pup on my doorstep--he is around 8 months old. He is a wonderful dog, but has a talent of ripping open anything with stuffing and gutting it within seconds. I mean, you can't turn your head.I am going to try the dog whisperer "I am the #1 dog thing" and not using his name when I say "no"---but is there anymore advise? I would like to have pillows on my couch and be able to snuggle up with a blanket and my dogs again.

[therese83]

I have 'made of hide' chew toys all over the place here, with my 6 month old pup.  You know the fake bone shaped ones.
It is the only thing that saves the pillows (the barbies, the teddies, the shoes, and especially the pencils!)

Mine seems to need something to chew on most of the time she is awake.

[Jaybay]

Oh lord!  The imagery!  Forgive me for laughing, but... LOL!  I can just see that pup surrounded with polyfil fluffs with a hugely smug grin on his snout.  :-D

We've had 4 dogs and only one was destructive. We lost a few pillows, wallets, throw rugs, shoes (naturally), and even a leg on my solid cherry wood piano.  The piano incident nearly got her booted out of the house permanently, but we persevered.  I'm just glad I can look back on it all and laugh.

Sounds like you've got a pretty strong-willed pup in your family, and it really will take time and patience to teach him what is, and is not, acceptable behavior.  In the meantime, when you can catch him and tell him "no", try to redirect him to something that IS acceptable to chew on and rip up.  At that age, anything they can sink their little teeth into is a toy - in their minds anyway.  

Eight months is not too soon to start obedience training, so try to find a suitable class for puppies.  The sooner you get him started, the better.  Young dogs need to have at least 3 "energy bursts" a day, and more if they're highly energetic breeds like beagles.  Wear him out with walks, and games that make him think like finding a hidden treat in the yard.  If he is physically and mentally tired, he'll be far less likely to think of making mischief in the house.  Check out the toys at the pet store that you can fill with kibble.  Anything to keep him entertained and focused on something other than your furnishings.

And PLEASE keep us up on your progress!  Something tells me you're going to have some great stories to share.  Well, from the observer's standpoint anyway.  :-)