At the end of my tether with dog - no idea where to turn next

[Sunny08]

I really am at my wits end with my 6 yr old Beagle. It is difficult to describe my dog to people and them actually believe me. He is well known for his mischief, disobedience and general chaos. But it is all taking a different turn now. He is genuinely very hard to manage for a number of reasons. I'll try and keep this as brief as possible:
- He barks and whinges constantly throughout the day regardless of all needs being met, unless you are physically stroking him or walking he whines all day long - it drives me crazy!
- He cannot be let off the lead as he completely ignores you out on walks and is too badly behaved with other dogs
- He is getting worryingly agressive with other dogs. this all started about 2 years ago when he started barking at the odd dog, now it is a full on battle to stop him killing anything we see. It's difficult as I live in a small village and if people see us coming they turn the other way or cross the road etc. He very nearly hurt a puppy very badly the other day
- Sometimes I think he is really intelligent (constant escape antics out of a garden with a 6ft fence all the way round) and sometimes I think he is really dumb (cannot work out that if a bucket sits in the middle of the path he can go round it, instead he stops dead in his tracks)
- He chews, steals food and disobeys at every given opportunity - going to whatever measures he can to do this!
- He has some really odd habits, i.e. he gets 'stuck' in the garden. if he walks to one of the garden he won't just come back to the house he will bark and bark until someone comes and rescues him. He won't walk down one side of our road because about two years ago he stood on a thorn there. He'll only have a wee in two points on our walk - if we take another route he simply refuses to go to toilet.

In the back drop of all of this we have a 16mth old son. As terrible as I feel to write this I really don't trust my dog with him anymore. They are never in the same room together and my son can't get to him but this in its self is stressful.

I took the dog to the vet as I was worried either eyes, ears, mind etc were going but they thought all was fine (couldn't say about mind).

I don't know what to do anymore. I am finding having him very stressful, esp on top of having my baby, working, etc, etc. I have sought advice from training experts and tried a number of training methods - none of which have stopped the agressiveness when out. I was invited to dog training and told too leave because of his agressiveness.

I love this dog beyond measure but honestly tearing my hair out now. Any ideas???

 

[CorvusCorax]

He sounds like a typical Beagle

They are known for being stubborn and food-obsessed. They are very vocal. They are pack animals bred to hunt - so nose down, tail up, seeya later.

He sounds a bit bored and frustrated - I know you are busy is there any way you can go jogging or biking with him or give him a job like agility or tracking?

 

[Bethie]

Sounds like any number of beagles of my acquaintance to be honest. I know a lady who assists with beagle rescue, unfortunately nowhere near you, who quite often is called on to help owners live with their beagles and this can be in the form of just walking with the owner and helping with training on the way, or fostering the beagle for a boot camp period then helping the dog and its family readjust to living together.

I think this is something that the beagle rescue people deal with a lot and are, round here at least, set up to help families out if they can, or help rehome if the dog really is unmanageable in the home situation it is in. They should be able to recommend trainers who understand the beagle/hound temperament and traits to help you if that's the way you want to go.

A quick google has brought up http://www.beagleadvice.org.uk, looks like it might be a starting point for you.

 

[Alec Swan]

As I see it, you have two choices;

You accept that you've taken on a Hound, or you shoot him.

I wouldn't expect a hound to fit in with my life, and if he's the nightmare which he seems to be, neither, perhaps, should you.

I realise that all of the above sounds a trifle harsh, but the truth of the matter is that sometimes, we are over faced with our dog, and we need to accept that.

I don't have a tin hat, but if I did, perhaps now would be the time to seek it out!!

Alec.

 

[CAYLA]

I don't think I would rehome him, at the end of the day you never know where he may end up with such issues. For me it would either be exhausting working with the issues (maybe trying someone more experienced with the breed) to help you understand a little more or for them to shed light on the problems and how common they are) obs some of them are pretty normal for a beagle and maybe he is from such a strain that his drive is stronger than that of a one happy to live as a bidable pet. Or as suggested pts.

 

[Sunny08]

Thank you for all the advice. And I know I am to blame here in most ways, as a single 23 year old I didn't think through buying this cute Beagle puppy, he could go everywhere with me, came to work, had my full attention, was my best friend at home and never shared me. 6 (almost 7 years later) here I am with Husband, baby, job, house, farm etc and I'd like to add a very much more sensible less impulsive head on my shoulders our lives have completely transformed. I am now trying to make our dog fit into this life..... often feels like I am watching that film Marley and Me! No-one will dog sit, and putting him to kennels send him insane.

I would also like to highlight his good points - he is extremely loyal, makes me laugh, very loving most the time and extremely cute, he has a wonderful way of 'talking' to you when he isn't whining and genuinely seems to want to please (unless food or other distractions come along!). My love of him makes the option of PTS out of the question but alternatively rehoming him I think would upset him so much and I'm not sure he'd cope with it. He is a very 'routine' dog.

I'm sorry even with all your helpful advice I am still going round in circles. It is so hard trying to write all this when he is currently extremely content, fast asleep, lying on my feet!

I will try seeking advice from a Beagle expert - thank you above OP for the web link!

 

[BentleyBelly]

I would recommend reading the book 'The Dog Listener' by Jan Fennell. I am finding it very helpful with puppy training. The puppy classes we go to also do one on one training and 'hooligan' training as they call it, for dogs with problems. I'm sure you will be able to find one in your area that does the same. Stick at it, there must be an expert that can help you xx

 

[Alec Swan]

.......

here I am with Husband, baby, job, house, farm etc and I'd like to add a very much more sensible less impulsive head on my shoulders our lives have completely transformed. I am now trying to make our dog fit into this life.....

..........

And discarding the woofer, because he no longer (or has never) actually fitted in with your life, isn't an option, is it? I do understand, I have an eight year old sheep dog. He has his uses, but God know's, they're limited!!

As you say, to change his life by placing him in kennels, would be unthinkable, and I would imagine that your tolerant and loving husband has endured enough!

So what to do? The very best dogs never seem to live long enough, and the hopeless liabilities, seem to go on for ever.

I have no advice to offer, only sympathy.

Alec. x

 

[Dry Rot]

As I see it, you have two choices;

You accept that you've taken on a Hound, or you shoot him.

I wouldn't expect a hound to fit in with my life, and if he's the nightmare which he seems to be, neither, perhaps, should you.

I realise that all of the above sounds a trifle harsh, but the truth of the matter is that sometimes, we are over faced with our dog, and we need to accept that.

I don't have a tin hat, but if I did, perhaps now would be the time to seek it out!!

Alec.

OMG, I agree with a man who thinks a General Licence isn't a licence at all!

 

[Spiritedly]

Have you tried hiding food round the garden for him? It would keep him entertained whilst out there and hopefully stop the escaping/ barking also by giving him something to do it would tire him mentally and might stop the indoor attention seeking too.

 

[PolarSkye]

Have you tried hiding food round the garden for him? It would keep him entertained whilst out there and hopefully stop the escaping/ barking also by giving him something to do it would tire him mentally and might stop the indoor attention seeking too.

This sounds like a good idea. To be honest, I think he sounds bored and it also sounds like he once had your undivided attention and now doesn't (not your fault, babies are demanding). Laughing at/indugling his cuteness/"talking" may be unwittingly rewarding the undesirable behaviour . . . in your shoes I'd be looking to find him a job to do - which isn't going to be easy with a baby in tow but may be very worthwhile.

His genes tell him to hunt, roam, find . . . and then tell everyone around him about what he's found . . . if he can't channel what's innate in a productive way, it'll end up in undesirable behaviours like digging, escaping and yowling (but you knew that already ).

Good on you for seeking advice. Good luck with you.

P

 

[stargirl88]

He sounds like a typical beagle to me too

I was going to say something similar to above - try and give him some more mental stimulation. stick his dinner and breakfast into a few kongs and hide them around the house/garden. Maybe read a few books on nosework games. It wont cure your problems, but it could help and give you a moment of peace for 10 mins

 

[Sunny08]

I would recommend reading the book 'The Dog Listener' by Jan Fennell. I am finding it very helpful with puppy training. The puppy classes we go to also do one on one training and 'hooligan' training as they call it, for dogs with problems. I'm sure you will be able to find one in your area that does the same. Stick at it, there must be an expert that can help you xx

thank you - though this one made me giggle as I brought it, went to read it, was distracted by baby for half hour, came back and it was in shreds all over the kitchen floor - he had actually jumped the baby gate, got it, returned to Kichen and estroyed it!

 

[Sunny08]

And discarding the woofer, because he no longer (or has never) actually fitted in with your life, isn't an option, is it? I do understand, I have an eight year old sheep dog. He has his uses, but God know's, they're limited!!

As you say, to change his life by placing him in kennels, would be unthinkable, and I would imagine that your tolerant and loving husband has endured enough!

So what to do? The very best dogs never seem to live long enough, and the hopeless liabilities, seem to go on for ever.

I have no advice to offer, only sympathy.

Alec. x

Yes this is it - life has transformed wonderfully, but not for my poor dog isn't now number one and he hates it. He was very put out when I met my husband, when we got a second dog (as we thought company would help) he went off the rails and when I fell pregnant and had my son is when the agression with other dogs began. Our other dog by the way went through all the same training and is treated in just the same way and is really easy to manage.

I do love this dog. when I first got him he saw me through the hardest and most lonely period of my life, I can't turn my back on him now but I just always seem to be mad at him and then feel so guilty for the amount for times I threaten to send him to Battersea etc! He had no control over the changes in our lives, but whatever we are in it together - as I said to my husband the night I met him - 'I come with a very lovely horse and a very naughty Beagle'. My husband always reminds me our dog was most definately part of the package from the off!

 

[EAST KENT]

Accept that you own a hound,they hate living alone so a couple would have been kinder,much much more exercise in nice sniffy fields and woodland on an extending lead if he has no recall once on a scent. Beagle and foxhound puppies look adorable,and they are, but all of them would prefer to be one of a pack and hunting.
I adored each and every one of the eleven couple we walked over the years..and was very glad to return them at nine months old,by then they would be off hunting on their own and using their instincts.

 

[Wiz201]

Beagles are not my dog of choice - yes they look cute even as adults, but considering I have a golden retriever at the moment who is doing her best to imitate a Beagle - she is also quite vocal and steals food whenever possible and seems to bring her agility capabilities into it by jumping onto the tall breakfast bar to steal the cats food, and she doesn't seem to know what to do around other dogs if they decide to growl at her. This is because of the lack of socialisation by the other breeder.
We manage Amber by only giving attention on our terms, she goes off lead if there are no strange dogs in sight and any vocalisation is ignored initially. This is what you could do with your Beagle. Obviously it sounds like he has to be on the lead for now.

 

[little MJ]

Well I do think you need to train your dog. You don't seem to be the pack leqder

 

[little MJ]

Sorry sent half way through... Stupid phone!
You don't seem to be the pack leader or have any control over him. I think you need to take him to a behaviourist one recommended by a rehoming kennels as they seem to be the best and have to fix dogs like yous daily!
I would have though he needs more exercise. ( with a baskerville muzzle on so he can still pant and drink etc)
You also need to address the aggressiveness asap.
He is probably as un happy as you are! Dogs like boundaries and routines just like children do.
Have you tried DAP collars .... Google it they work v.well.
I could type all day but you need help and its not the dogs fault!!

 

[CorvusCorax]

I'm sorry even with all your helpful advice I am still going round in circles.

OP, what exactly do you want, and what changes are you willing to make/how much time are you willing to spend on fixing this?

There is no magic cure...there is no magic training system....most things take hard work and consistency, some issues can take months and years to fix, especially ingrained ones in an older dog. Even with the best trainers - they train you, not the dog and the training sessions just give you pointers/advice once or twice a week - the real training happens between you and the dog at home.

 

[Sandstone1]

it sounds like he needs more exercise and mental stimulation than hes getting.
I think you need to decide if you are willing to do this or not.
Its your life style that has changed but thats not his fault.

If you are not able or willing to give him the time and attention he needs then you have a hard choice to make of either rehoming him or pts.

No one can make the choice for you.
You took this dog on and its not a easy breed, but it sounds as if you just dont have the time for him any more.

You can find a good trainer to help, give him more exercise and attention or make that hard choice.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

I sympathise hugely. Our two year old spaniel is aggressive, can't be with other dogs, is naughty, clever, needs constant attention. Despite many behaviourist classes, our best training has been to get stooge dogs and wonderful owners who don't mind the 'handbags' fights.

I must reiterate that your dog probably needs a job, something to do, a purpose and more attention than you can give. I'd say re-home carefully via a breed rescue who can find him a place where he will be stimulated, happy and occupied. Having him near your child is probably not the best idea currently.

 

[Galupy]

You don't say how much he is walked every day but time taken to get him out and let him sniff and run (I use an extending lead with my one who can't go off the lead) and satisfy his hunting instincts (as much as a non-hunting home can) first thing every day will be time saved throughout the day with not having to deal with his acting up. He really does sound like a beagle who is bored and it's bringing out the worst traits in the breed. I would do the same thing in the evening too if possible and vary where you go often so that he doesn't get used to the same route all the time and has new sights, sounds, and scents for more mental stimulation too. Start there and then see what issues are resolved and then begin to work on the ones that aren't.

A tired beagle is a happy owner ... from someone who has been tiring her beagles out daily ... mostly successfully but admittedly not always ... for the last seven years .