Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all,

I've already posted in the training forums, but my name is David. I just got my beagle last Thursday.

His name is Porthos. You may have heard this name before, it's the name of Captain Archer's beagle on Star Trek: Enterprise. I got porthos from my step mother, who works at an animal shelter. This puppy (he's 1 year old) was found as a stray in a large city. He has a scar on his nose, but is very friendly and relatively confident (he needs a bit of work in his confidence, he looks kinda sad at me sometimes).

I didn't know much about beagles before I got him, so now I'm reading and doing my best to find out everything I can about beagles, how to train them, and what to expect from them.

The basic problems i have are all listed on the training forums, but in short (for those not wanting to look):
Short attention span - his training, more than 10 minutes is a problem.
relatively untrained for a dog of his age
Has anxiety issues (separation anxiety - no doubt from not having an owner for this long,and now having one and can't stay alone for long).

I really enjoy him so far. He's a great addition to my family (I have 2 cats, hamster, and now a dog). He has a number of good qualities and bad qualities - but I like training him, a lot. He's a bundle of fun when he listens hehe.

Hi Dave and welcome to you and Porthos to the Beagle forum and also the DogHobbyist.

I don't have a beagle...I have shiba inu's but there are similarities in both breeds most of which you have noted already. The key is to be patient and consistent...you've already taken the first step by reading up on the breed and doing your homework. Keep up the good work and post a picture when you can.

BTW...I'm a long time Trekkie and can't think of a better name for a beagle than Porthos!
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Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
PHMax
HMax@pethobbyist.com" target="_blank">Email PHMax

Oh no! 2 trekkies!!! My girls names are Jadzia, Lyta and I had a Kira.

Porthos is a greyt name for a beagle of course. Welcome David! Stop by Hound Chat tonight from 9-10 in the Dog Den. The link is on the main Doghobbyist page.
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Melody/PHFasDog
Email me at PHFasDog

My furkids:
Shadow, Jadzia and Lyta.
Kira waiting at the bridge.

Dogs come into our lives, and too quickly go leaving pawprints on our hearts, and we will never be quite the same again.

>>Hey all,
>>
>>I've already posted in the training forums, but my name is David. I just got my beagle last Thursday.
>>
>>His name is Porthos. You may have heard this name before, it's the name of Captain Archer's beagle on Star Trek: Enterprise. I got porthos from my step mother, who works at an animal shelter. This puppy (he's 1 year old) was found as a stray in a large city. He has a scar on his nose, but is very friendly and relatively confident (he needs a bit of work in his confidence, he looks kinda sad at me sometimes).
>>
>>I didn't know much about beagles before I got him, so now I'm reading and doing my best to find out everything I can about beagles, how to train them, and what to expect from them.
>>
>>The basic problems i have are all listed on the training forums, but in short (for those not wanting to look):
>> Short attention span - his training, more than 10 minutes is a problem.
>> relatively untrained for a dog of his age
>> Has anxiety issues (separation anxiety - no doubt from not having an owner for this long,and now having one and can't stay alone for long).
>>
>>I really enjoy him so far. He's a great addition to my family (I have 2 cats, hamster, and now a dog). He has a number of good qualities and bad qualities - but I like training him, a lot. He's a bundle of fun when he listens hehe.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Separation anxiety is almost par for the course with adult dogs who come through shelters or rescues as well as many who change homes for any reason. Given a stable home environment, most of them overcome it in several months. Destructive chewing is a different thing, a stage of tooth development where they are being set into the jawbone by hard chewing. Good dog toys and supervision are the way to handle this--and confinement when you can't supervise the dog. Some dogs panic in a crate, and do better in a small room with a couple of stacked baby gates across the doorway. When they can see out, they are less likely to develop the habit of tearing up the door. It's also vital to never punish the dog for anything you find when you return. That makes separation anxiety much worse. Here's an article on Separation Anxiety:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1393&S=1&SourceID=47
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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

Thanks,

I confine him in the bathroom now since I look at a crate and find it a little too enclosed for him in my opinion.

I haven't punished him at all for things found done in the bathroom - which usually is some sort of peeing, and yesterday a nice torn up rug (partially torn, I'm gonna leave it in the bathroom so he can tear it up again. gives him something to do).

I'm glad to hear it's possible this'll go away eventually, and will just keep working with him until it does.

Thanks