You are here:

Beagles/licking eveything

Advertisement

Expert: - 4/26/2002


Question
Dear Have4Paws,
I just used your expertise for another recent beagle grass eating question.  Now I need to know why my dog went on a housecleaning spree.  He licked everything, the floor, the carpet, the bedspread all the while eating grass when he was let out.  Is this an emotional problem?  He lives in a steady and stable environment, gets plenty of attention (in actuality he is spoiled if you can actually spoil the pets you love).  We do have another dog but that doesn't seem to create a problem.  They love each other and get along well together.  Trooper (the beagle) is between 7 and 8 years old. We are not exactly sure because he was a rescue.
Naturally after his housecleaning skills were done, he puked his guts out.  I saw no blood or anything other than what he would have licked up and the grass of course.  There has been no change in his diet (he is on a lean formula with 1/3 can of Pedigree)  He gets walked as often as possible. He is up to date with all his shots. Can you help me?
Sincerely,
Donna

Answer
Hi Donna! Well this is sounding more and more like a behavior problem although the vomiting after the eating the grass is as I said normal because it is a natural emetic for dogs.

I think it is time to take him to the vet and have him checked out. If the vet cannot find anything wrong then contact a private trainer and get someone to come over to the house and assess him in person.

Good luck and let me know how it goes!
Have4Paws

Beagles

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Have4Paws

Expertise

I am happy to answer BEAGLE BREED SPECIFIC behavioral questions. Please DO NOT ask CRATE TRAINING OR MEDICAL questions! I am not a vet nor an expert in the use of crates.

Experience

I currently have one beagle, a male age 5, an 12 month old Pit Bull, and a 8 year old min. poodle. I have had to let go of three of my dogs, 2 beagles and 1 whippet/rat terrier mix in the past 5 years, most recently my whippet mix. The two beagles lived to 15 and the whippet mix to 13.5, it has been hard to say goodbye to them. I have done rescue work on and off for years as well as fund-raising for the local animal shelter. I worked for a dog magazine in the past (Southern California Dog Magazine). Being a psychotherapist has encouraged me to do in depth studying of animal behavior as well. I have worked with many people to help curb undesirable behaviors in their dogs (or them!) or to form good behaviors. My life is devoted to and surrounded by my dogs........The picture you see here is Zeppelin but we also call him the "miracle dog". He was hit by a car April 2010 while out with the dog walker and had very serious injuries... 4 surgeries and $17,000 later my boy is whole again and back to loving life. He is so special to me and he weathered a lot of pain and trauma yet is still the sweet boy he always was! I also work to stop Breed Specific Legislation and help to get pit bulls adopted.

Organizations
HSUS, PETA, SPCA DONT SHOP...ADOPT!!

Publications
Dog Fancy

Education/Credentials
I am a Marriage and Family Therapist licensed in the state of CA and am also credentialed as a Certified Addiction Treatment Specialist

Awards and Honors
Honored by the Agoura Animal Shelter for my volunteer work.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.