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My beagle has a major behavior problem. Ive had him for about 9 weeks now and not once have I cleaned his ears and cut his nails. Its not that I dont want to, its that he gets really crazy when I try and do these things with him. Also, whenever I take him to the vet, he gets really wild once the doctors try and do something with him... I mean totally bananas.

I took him to his 3rd visit there and he seems to have gotten worse.... the doctor told me that my dog is getting really bad and thinks that hes the boss of everybody.... which I think is totally true.... she also said that for a beagle thats 15 weeks old.... its pretty bad that hes still this crazy. And the fact that he doesnt trust me also, out of all people, he doesnt trust me, this really gets me frustrated. The vet told me that whenever spanky gets crazy, I should hold him down a special way she taught me.... problem is, whenever I try to do this, he just gets even crazier before and bites the hell out of me. I really want this to end, and I want him to to stop thinking hes boss and just trust me, including other people, to do whats necessary for him. Plz, I need all the help I can get, so any response is appreciated. Thanks.

>>My beagle has a major behavior problem. Ive had him for about 9 weeks now and not once have I cleaned his ears and cut his nails. Its not that I dont want to, its that he gets really crazy when I try and do these things with him. Also, whenever I take him to the vet, he gets really wild once the doctors try and do something with him... I mean totally bananas.
>>
>>I took him to his 3rd visit there and he seems to have gotten worse.... the doctor told me that my dog is getting really bad and thinks that hes the boss of everybody.... which I think is totally true.... she also said that for a beagle thats 15 weeks old.... its pretty bad that hes still this crazy. And the fact that he doesnt trust me also, out of all people, he doesnt trust me, this really gets me frustrated. The vet told me that whenever spanky gets crazy, I should hold him down a special way she taught me.... problem is, whenever I try to do this, he just gets even crazier before and bites the hell out of me. I really want this to end, and I want him to to stop thinking hes boss and just trust me, including other people, to do whats necessary for him. Plz, I need all the help I can get, so any response is appreciated. Thanks.

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Sounds like you are going to need the help of a behavior specialist in person to help you with this dog. Your veterinarian may be able to recommend one. That maneuver she recommended doesn't seem to be working. Sometimes it backfires and makes the dog worse.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

but I mean hes only 15 weeks..... theres nothing I can do besides take him to a specialist? cause I mean.... if he was older.... then i'd understand.... but I mean at 15 weeks they're still growing and adapting.... there has to be another way change his ways. right?

>>but I mean hes only 15 weeks..... theres nothing I can do besides take him to a specialist? cause I mean.... if he was older.... then i'd understand.... but I mean at 15 weeks they're still growing and adapting.... there has to be another way change his ways. right?

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The fact that he is still growing and adapting is exactly the reason that expert intervention RIGHT NOW will do the most good. The more you delay getting the right help, the worse your chances of fixing the problem.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

>>My beagle has a major behavior problem. Ive had him for about 9 weeks now and not once have I cleaned his ears and cut his nails. Its not that I dont want to, its that he gets really crazy when I try and do these things with him. Also, whenever I take him to the vet, he gets really wild once the doctors try and do something with him... I mean totally bananas.
>>
>>I took him to his 3rd visit there and he seems to have gotten worse.... the doctor told me that my dog is getting really bad and thinks that hes the boss of everybody.... which I think is totally true.... she also said that for a beagle thats 15 weeks old.... its pretty bad that hes still this crazy. And the fact that he doesnt trust me also, out of all people, he doesnt trust me, this really gets me frustrated. The vet told me that whenever spanky gets crazy, I should hold him down a special way she taught me.... problem is, whenever I try to do this, he just gets even crazier before and bites the hell out of me. I really want this to end, and I want him to to stop thinking hes boss and just trust me, including other people, to do whats necessary for him. Plz, I need all the help I can get, so any response is appreciated. Thanks.

Well, as you have found, holding a dog down just makes it fight more. I understand that your puppy is 15 weeks old, I highly recommend finding either "Puppy Kindergarten" classes or "Obedience" classes. Believe me, they really really help. They help you and your puppy "Understand" each other.
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Charlene

My Email

Adopt the pace of Nature
Her secret is patience

-Ralph Waldo Emerson-

I used to have a beagle with teh SAME problem. Started when he was 8 weeks old. DONT LET THE AGE FOOL YOU. My problem was i was always like "oh he's a puppy he will grow out of it". HE WONT! it will only get worse!!! 20 times worse! PLEASE get him to a behavior specialist. I was a very dumb dog owner when I had my beagle and it costed me and him very many problems. I took him to a behavior specialist once he was so totally out of control that I couldnt do anything with him, I had to get rid of him to someone that was a trainer (i got lucky that i even found him a home) he was totally out of control and only 1 year old. Please do yourself a very big favor and get him to a specialist now. By the way ANY aggression you show (yelling at him, that special hold down) will only make it worse. I hope this helps!!!
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Heather, Dodger, and Jager

Another thing I forgot to tell you, mine got to the point where the dog would chase me through the house trying to attack me! I would have to jump up on the top of the couch. I mean it was bad, and embarressing! Just trying to help you!
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Heather, Dodger, and Jager

Yes, see, the thing is, my dog is in puppykindergarden right now.... and he still seems very timid around people and dogs..... I just wanna know.... I talked to the teacher about the problem and she said it was the fact that my dog is very very very shy.... and maybe thats the biggest problem why hes like that.... cause my dog has always been the scared one out of the group and maybe shes right? what do u guys think?

btw, if yelling at my dog will make him worse, how do I disciplin him?

>>Yes, see, the thing is, my dog is in puppykindergarden right now.... and he still seems very timid around people and dogs..... I just wanna know.... I talked to the teacher about the problem and she said it was the fact that my dog is very very very shy.... and maybe thats the biggest problem why hes like that.... cause my dog has always been the scared one out of the group and maybe shes right? what do u guys think?
>>
>>btw, if yelling at my dog will make him worse, how do I disciplin him?
I see, my dog was the opposite, there is aggression caused by being scared or shy and there is aggression caused by just being dominant. My dog was just being dominant.

Especially if he is scared then I would not yell at him it will scare him more.
Try not to think of it as "disciplining" that is the first mistake people make. Try to show him the right thing to do then praise, use positive reinforcement. The most you should do is say no!

Say he is chewing on something he shouldnt be, trade him for a bone or toy, then when he starts chewing on the bone or toy praise him. He probably needs his confidence level raised.
Also make sure you dont punish him after the fact.
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Heather, Dodger, and Jager

Would it also be a good idea to take him out and socialize him alot more? Cause he has puppy class on saturday and after that I usually take him to dog beach.... would u guys recommend me taking him more then once a week to dog beach? If so, how many times a week would yall recommend. Thanks alot.

>>Would it also be a good idea to take him out and socialize him alot more? Cause he has puppy class on saturday and after that I usually take him to dog beach.... would u guys recommend me taking him more then once a week to dog beach? If so, how many times a week would yall recommend. Thanks alot.

I would definately try to get him very socialized and used to a lot of new places that should help a lot. Take him to a dog beach as much as possible, take him on walks and try to get different people to pet him, take him to pet stores, just anywhere he is allowed to go, that should help a lot with shyness.
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Heather, Dodger, and Jager

>>Yes, see, the thing is, my dog is in puppykindergarden right now.... and he still seems very timid around people and dogs..... I just wanna know.... I talked to the teacher about the problem and she said it was the fact that my dog is very very very shy.... and maybe thats the biggest problem why hes like that.... cause my dog has always been the scared one out of the group and maybe shes right? what do u guys think?
>>
>>btw, if yelling at my dog will make him worse, how do I disciplin him?

It important that before you discipline your puppy, it has to know and understand why he is being punished. Yelling never solves anything, just makes for more confusion and therefore maybe defensive actions on your puppies part. Then more frustrations on both parts. Your instructor could be right. What you could try is staying back from the group and don't let any other dog come within a safe range of your puppy. You puppy will tell you buy his actions what he feels is a safe distance. I wouldn't stop going to classes all together if people wonder why you aren't in the actual group just explaine that your puppy doesn't feel comfortable. My Border Collie is usually a very friendly dog, however, if someone lets their dog come up to quickly, she defends herself by snapping at the other dog, hence telling it to stay away! Good luck to you and take heart, your puppy is fortunate to have such a caring owner, keep up the great work!
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Charlene

My Email

Adopt the pace of Nature
Her secret is patience

-Ralph Waldo Emerson-

aww.... thanks =) im trying my hardest to be a good owner to him... I just wish things were'nt so difficult with him... and that he wasnt so shy around people and dogs... but patience is key right? so whatever it takes.... ill definately be up for it.

btw, sorry to ask another question, but i've been feeding my dog neutros puppy food (hard) and it seems to me that he doesnt really enjoy it too much.... cause he never really does finish all of it... and im thinking its either there are so many distractions around him causing him to forget about his food.... or that he just doesnt plain out like it.... either way... I was wonderin what your guys opinion is on the best brand of dog food out there right now for puppies? (hard food, not canned) Thanks for everyones support, I really appreciate it.

I feed my dogs BARF (it's a raw diet if you've never heard of it) The best commercial dog food I've heard about is Flint river ranch, but it can only be found over the internet (as far as I know anyway) I have also heard good things about Chicken soup for the puppy lovers soul. That can be found at some pet stores (I know petsmart does not carry it) Petland does (if you have one of those near you)

One way to tell if the food is good is to look at the ingredients list. you dont want ANY by-products especially. The first ingredient (at least) needs to be a meat (not a meat meal)The best foods out there have 3 meats in their top 5 ingredients.
Hope this helps! Any questions you have feel free to ask it is no problem at all, I will be happy to answer
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Heather, Dodger, and Jager

>>aww.... thanks =) im trying my hardest to be a good owner to him... I just wish things were'nt so difficult with him... and that he wasnt so shy around people and dogs... but patience is key right? so whatever it takes.... ill definately be up for it.
>>
>>btw, sorry to ask another question, but i've been feeding my dog neutros puppy food (hard) and it seems to me that he doesnt really enjoy it too much.... cause he never really does finish all of it... and im thinking its either there are so many distractions around him causing him to forget about his food.... or that he just doesnt plain out like it.... either way... I was wonderin what your guys opinion is on the best brand of dog food out there right now for puppies? (hard food, not canned) Thanks for everyones support, I really appreciate it.

Yes, patience, persistance and consistancy are the keys Being shy can be helped. I recommend carrying his fav treats in your pocket, when a stranger wants to come up to you or your puppy, make him sit then give the treats to the stranger and let the stranger feed your puppy, without touching him at first. Then if your puppy feels comfortable/confident taking the treat, see if the stranger can pet him.

As far as feeding and food goes its a very confusing topic. What I suggest is if your puppy looks healthy, nice shiny coat, no ribs showing and basically looks and acts healthy, there is no reason to switch foods. If your puppy is not eating all of his food, try putting a little less in his bowl, then after about 8 to 10 minutes take the bowl away. Don't give treats in between meal times unless you are training. You do not want to make him think he can hold out for something better. I have done this with my own dogs Good luck! btw, here is a pic of my fur family.

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Charlene

My Email

Adopt the pace of Nature
Her secret is patience

-Ralph Waldo Emerson-

awww..... they're so adorable! =)

>>awww..... they're so adorable! =)

Thanx! Unfortunately, Sid, my 14 1/2 year old Pomeranian in this picture passed away just before Thanksgiving. He was quite a lil guy, small body but had a lion's heart!

How is your puppy doing?
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Charlene

My Email

Adopt the pace of Nature
Her secret is patience

-Ralph Waldo Emerson-