Nuffnang

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Beagle quirkiness or unintended consequences?

From the desk of Kess' Mama:

Since puppyhood, we have always practiced feeding Kess just before we leave for work in the morning. This way, we reckoned we would reduce the anxiety of being separated (I'm quite sure we must have read it somewhere). Anyway, inevitably, there are times when we forgot to take something and would have to open the gate again. During those times, we would take away her feeding bowl, took whatever it was we forgot and give her back her bowl for her to finish her meal.

Just the other day, I again fed Kess just before I left home.After I realized I forgot my car keys, I went back in. My beagle, upon hearing the gate opened, started eating even more quickly (for those of you who have beagles, will know how quickly they eat under normal circumstances)!

The question is this - Is it beagle quirkiness - a love for food gene imbuilt into this perpetually hungry breed, or is it unintended consequences from her humans taking away her food bowl in the middle of a meal during her puppy days? What do you think?

13 comments:

Cinnamon and Mint said...

I tell you that is a normal eating habit for a beagle!

Laura said...

I agree with Cinnamon! These beagles are too smart for their own good some times :o)

D.K. Wall said...

We are only stunned that you can actually leave the house before the bowl is empty. Our hu-dad can not even get out of the room.

Martha said...

Yes, we reckon Kess has to eat quick if the food is removed when you come back in!
xx

Mango the Maltese kiddo said...

Tsk! Tsk, I'm no help.
Head down in shame!
Kess, may I ask you a favor, please go visit Autumn, my Maltese sister, to give her and her mom your kind words of love, encouragement and emotional support, they really need it now, thanks.
http://fromautumnwithlove.blogspot.com/
Cheers!

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

No help khoming from here -

I get fed in the early evening and eat it all right then -
Same fur Khousin Merdie

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra & Khousin Merdie

Lorenza said...

I have no idea. My mom has never done that. Like the Thundering Herd... I finish my food before my mom goes out!
I wish you a happy week!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Boo Casanova said...

i eat slowly, but ever since the arrival of big eater dopey, i have to guard my food but i still eat slow. :) dopes only need 1 minute (or sometimes slower than that) to finish his bowl of kibbles + rice. while i take 5 mins (more or less).

wet wet licks

Boo

Molly the Airedale said...

Mitch and I are foodies for sure. We both down our food in no time flat!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

River said...

Hey, we are really smart about getting food. Kess has learned you will take it away so she eats faster to get it all. Nuthin to do with puppy stuff, just the right now.

love & wags,
River

Sapphire said...

haha. i guess its both. i usually give Sapphire a treat when i leave the house. like you, sometimes (many times!) i forget things and i get back in again. half of the time she lies calmly, and the other half she rushes into the house expecting another treat. (:

Mango the Maltese kiddo said...

I dropped by to say hi Kess. Have you got any answers for beagle quirkiness?
Cheers!

Oscar the Beagle! said...

Definitely a consequence of you taking away the bowl when a pup! I used to say, unkindly lol, that my Oscar only had one brain cell and that sometimes even that didn't work properly! This is mainly when I was so frustrated that Oscar had ran away or was being defiant and wouldn't come back. However, I now know differently - I honestly believe that beagles, in truth, are extremely smart dogs - your dog is eating up breakfast fast so it's gone before you take the bowl away!!!!!

Thanks for signing my guest book.