Anyone who owns a beagle—or several—knows that the way to a beagle’s heart (and everything else) is through its stomach. A beagle doesn’t work for free; it comes at a price.
All our previous beagles have been no exception in this regard. Beagles know full well that food is one of the best things in the world—especially the food their humans are eating.
Nova is only 12½ weeks old, and she has shown us several times that the scent of our food is simply too much for her to handle—she completely loses her mind!
We’ve had to come up with solutions to get her to calm down. Some have worked, others haven’t—and at times, we’ve really been at our wits’ end.
Nova is definitely a true beagle; she keeps a very close eye on what we’re eating.
If we happen to be sitting apart—especially in the afternoon, when it’s time for coffee and a snack—she’s there on the spot in an instant.
If any dog can look like it’s on the verge of starving to death, it’s a beagle. Those eyes have a way of tugging at your heartstrings. We don’t fall for it, though—that said, we do keep some beagle-friendly treats on hand.
Just as the pack sleeps “together,” we also eat “together.”
Over the years, we’ve always kept some low-fat treats handy for situations like these.
As for dinner, we eat at the dining table, and we’ve always made sure the beagles have been fed beforehand—so they’re usually asleep while we eat.
We are currently teaching Nova that while she is welcome to “be part of the group,” she won’t be getting any food at the dining table.
Today, while I was having my coffee—she got a couple of dog treats, too—and when I said “all done” and showed her my empty hands, she walked over and sat down with her back to me. Dogs don’t actually get offended, even if they might look like it. I think she’s starting to understand that “all done” means the party is over.
It wasn’t long before she took her place on her throne (the chair with the steps) and settled down to sleep.
Unfortunately, Nova isn’t very fond of her puppy food, so it’s quite difficult to get her to eat it. Consequently, I usually serve it with bone broth or a bit of wet food, which I mix in with the dry kibble.
I must admit that I look forward to preparing her food myself—it will be far more satisfying for her. When you compare the cost of commercial wet food against making it at home, it turns out to be cheaper to make it yourself.
