Help needed pls i have a beagle !!

[pops]

My husband has bought home a beagle who is 10weeks old, he seems to be such a lovely dog, and loves running around with my children. I'm very concerened about training the puppy, espicially after reading all the negative points on here about Beagles. He comes (sometimes) when i call him by his name and then COME, and he sits when i ask him. But I've never had a dog and would like to know the do's and Don'ts with Beagles, My husband on the other hand has had dogs, he just tells me it will be fine. I wanted a dog that i could take with me when i go horse riding and that listens ..... Have i (my husband)made a really big mistake, please Help me.
Or is there light at the end of the tunnel ?
The Pup is kept in our garage. and seems to be fine with this .

 

[CorvusCorax]

OK first of all, he is a baby, calm down

But yes, do start with the basics. One game I love to play, especially with baby pups, is the catch and release thing, rope in your husband and the kids. One of you hold him, the other calls, get him really hyped up, call like mad, sing a song, jump around, then the other person will let him go when he is totally mad to go to you. Loads of fuss, loads of praise, repeat ad nauseum and lengthen the distances. Do this in the home, in the garden, then attach a line and do it in the park etc.

Don't overdo things at this age, no mad running around or jumping, little quick ten minute sessions three or four times a day.

Yes, they are a pack animal, yes they are noisy, stubborn and food obsessed, but it sounds like you are very caring owners, keep on top of the areas you know you need to tackle and you can't go far wrong.

And with the sitting, coax him back with a treat, no hands on bums pressing down at this age, his bones will still be quite rubbery, similar with down, coax him into the position with a treat between his front paws.

Welcome to the forum

 

[CAYLA]

The post title is the most fitting I have ever seen on a serious note, he is young you are very responsible and asking for help at the right time.
I have a 10 page puppy manual I send out with all my rescue pups, yes it's long, I never meant for for it to be so long, but it covers alot.
PM me your e.mail if u think it will help, it covers recall, but as suggested by CC work on the recall now and don't be hasty to let him off when the time comes till u have full attention.

 

[pops]

Oh Thank you, He is a lovely dog and in the short time we have had him the whole family loves him dearly. But we dont live on a farm or go shouting, am i being cruel by wanting him to be a pet not a working dog ? sorry he does sit when i ask him to, no pushing of bums. That sounds like a great game, i will try that. I have tried him on a lead just walking in the garden and he hates it, he reverse back should i just use treats to coax him into walking by my heel ? Which he does when theres no lead on him.
I really dont want a problem dog, having to chase him around the hills or trying to find him in fields.
Also what is the best way to stop him jumping up at ? I read somewhere that ignoring him was the best way ? Is this true ?
Sorry for the 101 questions. But a massive Thank you

 

[CorvusCorax]

Oh and another thing you can try is focus training which is great grounding for EVERYTHING else - basically, the dog only gets what he wants or a treat by looking up at you. Use a word like 'watch' and then when he wants out, when he wants a toy or food or praise, he has to be at your side, either siting or standing, and watching you.
Again, start in the home, take it to the garden, then into a non sterile environment. If the dog keeps his attention on you, then everything else is ultimately easier.

Of course they can be pets, as long as they are physically and mentally stimulated.
Yes, ignore jumping up, stay calm, stay firm, turn around so he has nothing to lean onto or grab hold of. Don't make lots of noise or fuss (DEF remind the kids that, don't wind him up) and that will make it less fun, not a game.

Right now I would just have a wee collar and a lead he can trail around on, while you watch him, obviously, so it does not snag on anything, you won't have to worry about lead walking for a wee while yet so don't panic, pick it up occassionally and lots of praise, good job that he stays at your heel already.
Again do not encourage the kids to let him bite or play with the lead, yes, it is funny when they are puppies but when they are adults, not so much!

 

[CAYLA]

Oh Thank you, He is a lovely dog and in the short time we have had him the whole family loves him dearly. But we dont live on a farm or go shouting, am i being cruel by wanting him to be a pet not a working dog ? sorry he does sit when i ask him to, no pushing of bums. That sounds like a great game, i will try that. I have tried him on a lead just walking in the garden and he hates it, he reverse back should i just use treats to coax him into walking by my heel ? Which he does when theres no lead on him.
I really dont want a problem dog, having to chase him around the hills or trying to find him in fields.
Also what is the best way to stop him jumping up at ? I read somewhere that ignoring him was the best way ? Is this true ?
Sorry for the 101 questions. But a massive Thank you

No probs re the questions, that what the forum is for.....my manual covers lead training, i.e collar on in the house as the sensation alone will have them scratting if u only place it on when u go out, the trick is leave lead attached for him to drag, but supervise and coax him to u ently with treats it very daunting when on the lead for the first time, I also covered jumping up obs don't discourage him meeting and greeting, but all visitors should do this on the floor at the moment or on his level and only when he has subsided and settled, this alo keeps him off the furniture.

 

[CAYLA]

Sent....atleat if u fall asleep half way through u can go back.....if u follow the guide as a family and you are consistant you should cover most behaviour towards a well behaved adult dog, and if recall is the only thing u have probs with atleast all else will be ok

 

[pops]

Thank you for all your help, who needs to go out on a saturday night lol. Thanks a Million

 

[CAYLA]

Thank you for all your help, who needs to go out on a saturday night lol. Thanks a Million

Exactly we have no life here and CC is always on hand to help, she lives here, her addy is actually

AAD
HHO online
The Internet
HHO AAD

LMFAO

 

[CorvusCorax]

STFU!!!!!!

I went out last night. It was a disaster. I am still deeply ashamed. It is safer for me here

 

[CAYLA]

STFU!!!!!!

I went out last night. It was a disaster. I am still deeply ashamed. It is safer for me here

"Stuff you"....thats mild for u CC

 

[CAYLA]

STFU!!!!!!

I went out last night. It was a disaster. I am still deeply ashamed. It is safer for me here

I shall post again, seen as mine is ahead of yours

"stuff you" thats mild for u CC

 

[Vizslak]

STFU!!!!!!

I went out last night. It was a disaster. I am still deeply ashamed. It is safer for me here

Haha what happened cavey?! It is safer here though *passes alcohol and choccy* Tell aunty P all about it!

 

[CorvusCorax]

Oh nothing TOO bad, spent about £50 with nothing to show for it but a sore head, mixed the most ridiculous range of drinks, insulted a cocktail waiter, walked home alone via the most long and dangerous route wearing a 'come and have a go' expression, just because I could, and then fell asleep on the computer room floor while OH and his brothers had a jolly good larf at me.


Cayla, it is 'shut the....'

Sorry for hijack, Pops!

 

[Vizslak]

Doesn't sound like an overly out of the ordinary night! Sounds better than mine...I woke up with the 'come an ave a go' look about me and attitude to match after my evenings events!
Perhaps I still had it in the show ring earlier and I frightened the judge!?!!!

Yea ditto the sorry for hijacking Pops!!

 

[fruity]

I have a beagle!! and work closely with them and also look after a few (have dealings with Beagle Welfare a charity taking in and rehoming them). Can i ask what made your husband decide to get one? They are vvv cute i know but def not for the faint hearted!!! As beagles go my one is actually quite good with recall but will come back in her OWN time,typical beagle! They are vvv intelligent dogs which is why when they are not getting enough walks or stimulation they resort to be v naughty and hence they get a bad reputation as being v hard work!
I wouldn't panic with the lead training just yet he is still v young and will soon take to it,i would however concentrate on basic commands,sit,wait,watch (use your puppy's normal food as treats for this) etc.
Beagles love to be the centre of attention and if too 'spoilt' they can get v jealous and protective over toys etc (hence the reason why lots are rehomed when people have babies, they then give their attention to the little one and poor beagle is then left out,not good)
I am firm but fair with mine,they def seem to respect that and mine does lots of tricks and is well trained and fairly obedient because of this. I have a little boy and make sure he comes first (i.e he has breakfast before beagle,i get him to feed the beagle her breakfast so she see's him as a good thing,if i didn't do this she would get very dominant and would try and rule the roost. Not all of them are like this but a lot of them i've dealt with have v strong minds and their own ideas!
I'm sure you will be fine and i think it's good your keeping pup in the garage,mine is caged but when we move we are having a kennel built for her,they are v much designed to be a 'outside' doggy and often don't suit the house enviroment. I wouldn't want you to think that you will be able to take yours on 'rides' i'm afraid,they have a v strong urge to hunt and once they catch a scent they are off,for days sometimes,they are not the easiest to catch either! Mine was perfect when i first got her for months and then one day she got a scent and went missing from 9am till 11pm that night! believe me i was having kittens,she however ran a mock and had over 15 people trying to catch her all day to no avail,she thought it was a fab game 'swerving the people!' since then she is allowed off the lead but when she is she has a Masterplus spray collar on,just to be on the safe side (it's a harmless collar that sprays a burst of air under there chin to disrupt unwanted behaviour) she has to have it on or spend the rest of her vvv energetic life on a flexi lead,not much fun , thankfully we havn't had to use the collar on her yet it's just 'in case' she decides to peg it off one day,we are based on a country estate and at xmas 2 dogs killed over 30 sheep and were shot dead so i am sooooo paranoid that if she did run off she would get blamed for it in the future (she never turns an eye at the sheep so i know she wouldn't kill them it's the rabbits she loves!) but it's just for her safety. I wish you good luck with your boy,they are a wonderfully rewarding breed and are v cuddly but are also hard work,i feel their worth it but many others would beg to differ!
Oh and a few pics of my 'Angel':

At a recent dog show she won 3rd prettiest bitch and 2nd in the dog the judge would most like to take home!

http://www.theimagefile.com/?skin=4321&Action=VF&id=3571168450&pcp=121&ppwd=mf6448tp

Her portrait pic:

http://www.theimagefile.com/?skin=4321&Action=VF&id=3571122850&pcp=21&ppwd=mp1835bt



On a walk,near a duck pond (can you tell!!)

 

[CAYLA]

Oh nothing TOO bad, spent about £50 with nothing to show for it but a sore head, mixed the most ridiculous range of drinks, insulted a cocktail waiter, walked home alone via the most long and dangerous route wearing a 'come and have a go' expression, just because I could, and then fell asleep on the computer room floor while OH and his brothers had a jolly good larf at me.


Cayla, it is 'shut the....'

Sorry for hijack, Pops!

Yeah obs, I knew that spiv, hence my crapy sarcastic smiley.....they are so **** on here

 

[CorvusCorax]

Gah, my befuddled brain, must go to bed, I have to do tracks tomorrow....

 

[pops]

Ha ha no problem .. Sounds like an intresting night lol !!

 

[pops]

My Husband decided to get a beagle because they were good with Children, i have a 4 year old and a 1 and a half year old. So that was really important. He wanted a medium sized dog, and said that it would be great as i could take him for walks when i go riding.

He seems to be doing really well, comes when i call him but i do think that picking up scents is going to be a real problem as we live by the hills, theres rabbits, foxes, sheep everywhere !

 

[Galupy]

pops - I have two beagles. One can go off leash and I can trust her to stop if she picks up a scent and I need her to come back. The other one I can't let off the leash because he will be gone. The one who comes back is the best dog I have ever had and one of the most obedient too - good beagles are out there.

You've had some great HHO advice so far from the best and all I can add is start early and use food and excitement. Beagles love their food And their excitement.

Feel free to pm me if you have any questions about them. They are lovely dogs but they can have their challenges too ...

 

[pops]

Thank you to everyone for all your help and advice, it really is appreciated !! Scally ( the beagle ) seems to be learning fast, he is becoming more obdient the more time i spend with him ..
One more question, Would his behaviour be better when he's older if he's castrated ?
if so should it be done sooner rather than later ?
Once again thanks a million x

 

[CorvusCorax]

Yep, I think it is a good idea for any dog that won't be bred from and does minimise the annoying behaviours some entire males display!

I had my fella done at 18mo due to medical issues but I would have had it done eventually anyway as he is not breeding quality but he was never a humper or anything like that. His dominance problems were mainly due to my ineffectual handling and I can't say for definite if it improved his behaviour as I put a hell of a lot of work into him at the same time.
I can't advise on age to have it done as opinions differ greatly. For me it was two less things to get infected

 

[CAYLA]

Yep as above......it's one less thing for u to have to deal with....raging hormones ontop of recall training I would go for the 9 month mark given his breed size or as soon as 6 months if he shows any fruity behaviour before hand.

 

[pops]

Thank you !! You can tell how inexperienced i am lol !! But thanks for all your Help !! I'm sure i will have to ask lots more questions lol !!

 

[pops]

I just wanted to say a massive Thank you to everyone, My little Beagle is turning out to be a lovely dog and we have him off the lead, his only vice is if he smells food (general un eaten cat food, ooopppss lol) but i cant fault that.. Thank you for giving me a shove in the right direction !!

 

[CorvusCorax]

Yay, glad to hear it, we have our uses, haha, keep up the good work, piccies?

(Gawd I sound like such a lush on those earlier posts )

 

[Galupy]

I just wanted to say a massive Thank you to everyone, My little Beagle is turning out to be a lovely dog and we have him off the lead, his only vice is if he smells food (general un eaten cat food, ooopppss lol) but i cant fault that.. Thank you for giving me a shove in the right direction !!

Definitely a true beagle then ... they love their food and you can use it to your benefit when training him.

And I agree with CC - we need piccies!

 

[EquineInfo]

How are you getting on with your Beagle? Mine is nearly 3 years old now. He is very naughty and howls all the time but they are lovely affectionate sweet dogs and always entertaining! We took him to Bramham last year and his photo is in this years leaflet next to the Parade of the hounds!

 

[pops]

I hope i've managed to put the pics on here, He Truely is a lovel dog, Ive just started riding my horse and taking him for a walk kill 2 bird with one stone, and he loves it .. Ask i have said before his only weakness is food, which can be frustrating but hopefully he is still young enough to train him that he wil get his food when he gets home, well i can but try.. He did try howling but when he realised that actually he got more attention when he didnt howl he stopped, I think if he lived in my house it would be a different storey as you cant ignore them then, Scally lives in an out house.
How old is your beagle ?