Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
Last week we got a five week old puppy. I know it's extremely early, but we wasn't aware of the problems it could cause at the time. He already seems to be biting quite a bit, and even growling getting overly excited while doing it. We are in the middle of trying to break her of this behavior now. I was told I can't socialize her with any other dog until three more weeks, after her second set of shots. So in three weeks she will be getting lots of puppy play time with others. I'm going try day cares, anything, to get her to be socialized.

Now the bigger scenario. We sort of jumped the gun getting this puppy. Please don't bash me for this, because I love this dog dearly already. But the more I read on this breed, the more I'm scared we won't be able to keep her. I'm worried about complaints of barking for one, and about escaping. I am planning on taking her to classes, and a little heart broken that Beagles seem to not go into the Obedience trials (I was considering doing this with her). We live in a mobile home park, so our homes are close. How loud do these dogs get?? Will my neighbors going to be able to hear her??

I"m debating on if we should find her a better suitable "fit", while she is still a baby. Or if her barking and smelling other creatures around since we are so close, will cause a problem.

Help! Any words of advice?? I'm really worried.

Beagles do make noise, and it might well be too much noise for where you live. Their baying is designed to allow hunters to follow the pack of Beagles in the field from quite a distance. It is highly instinctive behavior.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

How are things going with your puppy now?

Have you been able to get some housebreaking done? How about teething issues?

I really wish you would have done a bit of homework prior to bringing in a 5 week old puppy- no matter what hte breed. It's just FAR too early to be away from mom and siblings. You have a challenge on your hands that's for sure.

Now- it's up to you to work with that challenge because you have made the decision to take in an animal and care for it. Are you up to doing your homework? Be realistic with yourself. This will take work on your part, but you can overcome this with time, energy, a ton of patience, and a bit of luck.

First- find someone who's got a litter of puppies and ask if you can bring your puppy over for play dates with the litter once or twice a day. The more the better. It will be tough to convince someone to let you bring your puppy around their litter, but have your vet REALLY look over your puppy well for any signs of parvo or distemper.

Second- go to as many puppy play classes as you can once old enough.

Third- I say baloney on the "beagles can't be obedient" rumor. You just need to motivate them differently than your average golden retriever of lab. Read a book called "So Your Dog Is Not Lassie" and understand you have to be more interesting to your dog than what his nose it telling him is around him. Not always the easiest thing to do, but it makes you a better trainer if you can do it.

Find other beagle owners online and talk with them on how they overcome beagle tendencies.

That's all I'll write for now, but don't give up. Take this challenge and rise to it.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles www.freewebs.com/performanceshibas