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Dog advice
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07-07-2010 2:28pm#1Hi all
just looking for a bit of advice from anyone who could help!
We got a gorgeous little Beagle last week he's great, we've fallen in love with him. Very good natured and affectionate, cute as hell and doesn't bark or howl at night either thank God. (Frantically touching wood!)
My questions are:
We both work all day and he stays out the back - big enough garden and we cleared out the shed so he sleeps in his little bed there. Neighbours a few doors down who are fantastic also have a beagle and sometimes we leave the 2 dogs together in either of our gardens so they are company for eachother. But I still worry about him during the day being on his own. Now he's a happy little dog and doesn't seem distressed but I'd love to get him something to occupy him during the day - any ideas? We bought him a Kong toy but he has the treats out in 10 min and I'm reluctant to put too much in in case he puts on weight - or am I being a bit too cautious?
When we get home (5.30 - 6pm) we play and walk him and he comes in and out of the house and has a snooze in front of tv etc but my heart breaks then when we put him back out for the night. Although he cries a little bit, for about 5 min or so he's happy enough then. But I'm just thinking, the weather is grand now but what about in the winter, is it still ok to do this?
While he's allowed in and out of the downstairs of the house he's not allowed upstairs or on the furniture. He has his own big blanket to lie on on our rug and loves having a snooze there. However he doesn't care if you sternly tell him NO for jumping on the furniture or upstairs to the beds, he keeps doing it anyway! I've seen these clicker training aids - how do they work? Has anyone any tips on how to train a Beagle? Stubbon little feckers!
Sorry if these questions are stupid, he's my first dog so just want to make sure we're doing our best for him! I know we've only had him a week so maybe I'm being a bit over dramatic as he might still be just getting used to us and his new home.
Thanks in advance
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Hi all
just looking for a bit of advice from anyone who could help!
We got a gorgeous little Beagle last week he's great, we've fallen in love with him. Very good natured and affectionate, cute as hell and doesn't bark or howl at night either thank God. (Frantically touching wood!)
My questions are:
We both work all day and he stays out the back - big enough garden and we cleared out the shed so he sleeps in his little bed there. Neighbours a few doors down who are fantastic also have a beagle and sometimes we leave the 2 dogs together in either of our gardens so they are company for eachother. But I still worry about him during the day being on his own. Now he's a happy little dog and doesn't seem distressed but I'd love to get him something to occupy him during the day - any ideas? We bought him a Kong toy but he has the treats out in 10 min and I'm reluctant to put too much in in case he puts on weight - or am I being a bit too cautious?
When we get home (5.30 - 6pm) we play and walk him and he comes in and out of the house and has a snooze in front of tv etc but my heart breaks then when we put him back out for the night. Although he cries a little bit, for about 5 min or so he's happy enough then. But I'm just thinking, the weather is grand now but what about in the winter, is it still ok to do this?
While he's allowed in and out of the downstairs of the house he's not allowed upstairs or on the furniture. He has his own big blanket to lie on on our rug and loves having a snooze there. However he doesn't care if you sternly tell him NO for jumping on the furniture or upstairs to the beds, he keeps doing it anyway! I've seen these clicker training aids - how do they work? Has anyone any tips on how to train a Beagle? Stubbon little feckers!
Sorry if these questions are stupid, he's my first dog so just want to make sure we're doing our best for him! I know we've only had him a week so maybe I'm being a bit over dramatic as he might still be just getting used to us and his new home.
Thanks in advance
do a search on this site.
there's no quick answers either way.
couple of thingds i'd suggest is :
why get a dog if you're not gonna be around for him?
don't leave him outside @ night time-find a spot inside for him(kitchen?)
our winters are pretty cold.
can you enlist the help of a dog walker??
i'll send you a PM.0 -
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Congrats on your new dog very exciting time for you guys!!
Have you considered a dog walker for your little fella while you are at work?
We have a dog walker 2 days a weeks... she is amazing, her name is Rhona... she's a life saver... our guy is sooo much happier since we strted iwth her... she collects him around 10am... collects 2/3 other dogs which is cool as he LOVES other dogs, brings them all off for a walk , then drops him back into the kitchen to sleep until we get home 5.30pm... so he's with her 4 hours a day, 2 days a week...
http://www.walkies.ie/
Or Day Care......
http://www.dogtrainingireland.ie/daycare/
Personally i wouldnt have a puppy unless you have company for him fduring the day or organise a dogwalker... dogs are pack animals... they need company... 9am - 6pm is VERY long on a puppy / dog... they can suffer from serious seperation anixiety... personally i would get 1. another dog or 2. orgainse a dog walker.
Is there a reason why he sleeps outside?? Just wondering... you will confuse him if you change this is the winter... he should have his bed and it should stay like that... either inside or out... its your choice etc.. a puppy / dog behaves better with routine... so make your decision and stick to it... Personally having a dog sleep inside has a good effect on the dog... one he feels part of the family, two if he has an inside bed you can tell him to go to bed if you have guests over etc and he will just sit there happy as larry looking up... etc.. otherwise he will cry outside if he's out when people are over... just my opinion...
Personally we have our guy in at night as like you said he's out most of the day so we wouldnt have him out all night...plus he's part of our family so we wouldnt put him out at night.... he has a comfy bed in the kitchen.... we feel being out during the day is enough! But thats just our decision
out dog is a huge part of our family so putting him outside we feel wouldnt be right.
You could try stuffing the kong with frozen pate... it will take him AGES to lick it all out etc....
With reagrd to him jumping up on your couch... he's a puppy... puppies are cheeky... they will try anything to get their own way...
I second training classes.. they will help socialise your puppy and train the owners... they are excellent...
http://www.dogtrainingireland.ie/home.php
Training a puppy is all about routine and consistency....
Best of Luck !0 -
However he doesn't care if you sternly tell him NO for jumping on the furniture or upstairs to the beds, he keeps doing it anyway!
We just got a stair gate to keep our guy downstairs - we were worried about him falling down the stairs and hurting himself!!
Definitely get some obidience training which trains you how to train the dog too. Our guy goes to dog training ireland so they get our recommendation. He also goes to daycare there a couple of days a week and would be knackered after it and even the next day so this might be an idea for your guy too! 0 -
Hi guys
thanks a million for your replies. Very useful to know about those commands Xiney thanks! I was saying down the whole time so great to know the difference
Great idea too about the regular dog walker - my parents are nearby and will do it the odd time but a regular one would suit everyone much better. Thanks for that tip.
I think you're right too cocker about moving his bed - although he seems happy enough outside (as he was in his previous home, the difference is they had about 8 dogs so they were all outside together), I'd feel better for him being in the kitchen. My worry here was that when he sees us going upstairs at night and he can't sleep up there with us he might scratch the furniture and doors etc... although then you might say why get a dog if you want a perfect looking house! lol
Thanks again guys 0 -
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There's not really something you can get for your dog that will keep him occupied for the entire time that he's in the back garden.
Although you might get a bit of flack here for leaving him alone all day, in reality the dog will spend most of the day sleeping in the absence of something to do, so don't worry too much about him sitting there bored. However, having the second dog with him is good as they can play together and be company; maybe try to make a more regular arrangement of that. Dogs are social animals and always benefit from having company.
In terms of inside/outside sleeping, lots of people do both with no particular difficulties. Of course he wants to stay inside - it's warmer and you're there! You wouldn't like to have to go outside to sleep either
In winter, things are a little bit more difficult. Again, lots of people have animals sleeping outside in zero temps, and this can be fine as long as they have plenty of bedding/blankets and their kennel is draught-free. You can also get special heaters to install in the kennel to keep the temp up. But if the weather gets ridiculously cold (like we had this winter), then you will have no option but to bring him inside and that could result in sleepless nights for you as he makes noise inside the house.
If you subscribe to the "pack" theory, then a dog will prefer to stay inside the house to sleep, because that's where you (his pack) are. However, as long as the dog considers the entire property to be your pack's "den", then sleeping outside shouldn't be a problem as he understands that he ranks lower in the pack order.
As for keeping him where you want him, the key is conciseness and consistency. As Xiney says, "No" is often a catch-all word for "you're doing something bad", but the dog may not understand what that bad is. Use "off" and train the dog to understand what that means. You also need to be consistent. If the dog is not allowed on the couch in the sitting room, then he is not allowed on the couch in the living room, and he is *never* allowed on any couch, not even if it's his birthday or he has an upset stomach. The dog understands black-and-white rules, not ones which change day-to-day.
So if he jumps on the couch and sometimes gets away with it, even for five minutes, then he is going to continue trying to get up on the couch. Some goes for the beds.0 -
Dogs don't speak english from birthHowever he doesn't care if you sternly tell him NO for jumping on the furniture or upstairs to the beds, he keeps doing it anyway!
To him right now "No" is just a sound, noise. You have to make him understand what "no" means before it can have any effect.
In your case, just gently swipe him off the furniture and say "no". Then watch him and if he is just about to jump up again say "no" (and pluck him off if needs be). After a few repetitions he'll get the message.
The same principle applies to every other command you'd like to introduce0 -
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Dogs don't speak english from birth
To him right now "No" is just a sound, noise. You have to make him understand what "no" means before it can have any effect.
In your case, just gently swipe him off the furniture and say "no". Then watch him and if he is just about to jump up again say "no" (and pluck him off if needs be). After a few repetitions he'll get the message.
The same principle applies to every other command you'd like to introduce
LOL good point
I should have mentioned he's a year old, not a brand new puppy.... we deliberately wanted a slightly older dog considering we are away during the day. We looked for ages and eventually found him through someone involved with the Irish Beagle Club who recommended him to us based on our own circumstances.
Looks like perseverance will be the key with getting him to do what he's told!! I'll definitely investigate obedience classes though along with a regular dog walker.
Cocker5 - thanks so much for those tips. I think we will move him in on Friday night and see how it goes and have the coke bottle and vicks on standby!
Much appreciated thanks all for the advice 0 -
LOL good point
I should have mentioned he's a year old, not a brand new puppy.... we deliberately wanted a slightly older dog considering we are away during the day. We looked for ages and eventually found him through someone involved with the Irish Beagle Club who recommended him to us based on our own circumstances.
Looks like perseverance will be the key with getting him to do what he's told!! I'll definitely investigate obedience classes though along with a regular dog walker.
Cocker5 - thanks so much for those tips. I think we will move him in on Friday night and see how it goes and have the coke bottle and vicks on standby!
Much appreciated thanks all for the advice
Best of luck!! If you need anything else.. just ask... i can tell you way to fix most things... my cocker was a NIGHTMARE until he was 2 years old...
One is still very young... there arent usually adults until 2....
so he has time to learn...
Def be consistent and have a routine... it will take a few months.. but he will be fine....
On friday night if you do decide to move him in... give him a really long walk or even bring him for a cycle (you can get a special attachment for your bike). cycling is great for huning dogs.. gets rid of all the pent up energy..... he will be really tired and friday night should go smoothly for you!! if he's not tired it could be more difficult!
Best of luck!! Hope it all goes well 0 -
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Best of luck!! If you need anything else.. just ask... i can tell you way to fix most things... my cocker was a NIGHTMARE until he was 2 years old...
One is still very young... there arent usually adults until 2....
so he has time to learn...
Def be consistent and have a routine... it will take a few months.. but he will be fine....
On friday night if you do decide to move him in... give him a really long walk or even bring him for a cycle (you can get a special attachment for your bike). cycling is great for huning dogs.. gets rid of all the pent up energy..... he will be really tired and friday night should go smoothly for you!! if he's not tired it could be more difficult!
Best of luck!! Hope it all goes well
Thanks so much... I'm sure I will have a few more questions as we go!
Thanks again I'll let you know how the big move goes 0 -
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Keanosmagic wrote: »Cocker5 is this Vicks idea a dead cert?? I have a Beagle (1 Year) who is pulling his kennel apart board by board (has previously pulled skirting board off wall)......would love a solution cause replacement kennels not cheap
oh and whats this bicycle attachment????sounds potentially dangerous (for me).....Thanks
Sorry just read your post now...
Yip the vicks is the business... and its safe for them too... you need to rub it everywhere he's destroying and he will DEF stop as the mentol from the vicks will giving him a burning sensation.... i would suggest rubbing it all over the edges and corners from where he is pulling... believe me i feel your pain my cocker stripped our shed board by board...
you could also try crib halt, its excellent too..
http://www.forans.com/products.asp?Action=Detail&ProductID=30
you can get it in horse places...
the attachment is brillant... gun / hunting dogs has TONS of energy and cyclinbg is a great way of getting rid of pent up engery... our guy LOVES it... when he was 18 months he was a MENTALER... we got a trainer in she recommended this and its has been brillant...
With cycling the dog will set the pace... only cycle him for 20 mins each day as hunting dogs will keep going... and going etc even if they are tired they will burn themselves out plus... stop after 10 mins and give him some water if he wants some... he will adore it, i promise!!
http://www.canineconcepts.co.uk/item--WalkyDog-Bike-Lead--bikelead---dogs
its great as it means the dog will never go near the wheel or hurt himself!!
i think halfords do them too.. but i got mine online!!
Best of luck! :P0 -
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Keanosmagic wrote: »Thanks for all the info cocker5
Just ordered one of the bike attachments....looks great idea!!!!ha gonna stock up on the vics in a while and give it a go........
My springer is the best dog.....just wants to play fetch all day......but beagle very destructive......hopefully will do the job
Honestly i know how you feel.. my cocker was the DEVIL until about 18 months... we then had the idea if getting in a professional trainier...
He used to eat all the bottom of the kitchen presses doors, he stripped our shed... started chewing the deck, used to open our washing machine, take out the clothes, eat some of them ... then drag them through the dog flap.... he took the pipes for the dishwasher and washing machine off of the back of our house etc... used to pull down ALL the washing off the washing line.... he ate brillo pads from the drawers he had opened, plus ate light bulbs (thankfully nothing happened to him) so i know excatly how you feel...
Here's the advice she gave us....
1. Change his food..... to burns, Royal canin (no supremarket stuff as it hyers dogs up and hunting dogs are hyper enough already) - DONT feed him puppy food... its very high in protein.. he's ok to be on adult food now...
2. Vicks vapour rub / crib halt - rub it EVERYWHERE he likes to destroy - your house will smell for a bit but after a few weeks you wont need to use it... but it will take 3-4 weeks.
3. Neuter him (my guy was already neutered)
4. Cycle him / use his mind - hunting dogs have tones of energy... walking isnt enough for them, they need to run.... i promise after about two weeks or cycling your guy will have calmed down somewhat... as he is FULL of energy and they only way to release it is by being destructive... so if he is exercised with your biks... during the day he will be tired and wont feel the need to wreck stuff.
5. Dont leave anything lying around - she told us dont leave anything around near him for a few months ie shoes , jackets - as he would chew them.... after a few months he forgot that hge used to wreck these things and hasnt touched anything since.... so for a few months remove anything that he may see as chewable toys to him... the after a few months you can start leaving bits and pieces around and he wont be bothered ...
6. Train him.... ie do lots of mind tricks with him... sit, stay etc these will mentalling knacker him out... and he will be less likey to wreck stuff on you...
You could try the egg ball.. it will tire him out.... my guy loves it!
http://www.zooplus.ie/shop/dogs/dog_...e_games/146815
Otherwise this webiste had TONS of cool toys for your dog
http://www.zooplus.ie/shop/dogs/dog_toys_dog_training
Just wanted to say he is only 1 ... he technically he's still a puppy... so start now and after a few months he will be a different dog!
Best of luck let me know how he and you get on
Hope this helps!0 -
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Hi guys
well it's almost a month now since we got our Beagle, Tino. All is going well, he has settled in great. Hasn't destroyed too much - bar my Wii Mario game which he managed to ruin in about 2 minutes flat when I went upstairs to change my jeans!!
Re my questions about moving him inside to sleep, we brought him to the vet for a checkup and I asked him about it and he recommended to keep him outside if it's what he's used to, even during winter. I have my worries about this still but we'll see how it goes!
He and the neighbours Beagle stay in our garden during the day while we're at work now and he's a happy dog thankfully. Cute as hell! And stubborn as **** - I'll have to seriously get going on the obedience classes.
Anyway I still have one thing I'm not sure what to do about. When we're home he comes in and out of the house, but if either me or the OH leave the room, he sits at the door and cries and cries until we return, despite the fact that there's still one of us with him! What's that about! Do you think it's something he'll grow out of? All opinions welcome 0 -
Hi guys
well it's almost a month now since we got our Beagle, Tino. All is going well, he has settled in great. Hasn't destroyed too much - bar my Wii Mario game which he managed to ruin in about 2 minutes flat when I went upstairs to change my jeans!!
Re my questions about moving him inside to sleep, we brought him to the vet for a checkup and I asked him about it and he recommended to keep him outside if it's what he's used to, even during winter. I have my worries about this still but we'll see how it goes!
He and the neighbours Beagle stay in our garden during the day while we're at work now and he's a happy dog thankfully. Cute as hell! And stubborn as **** - I'll have to seriously get going on the obedience classes.
Anyway I still have one thing I'm not sure what to do about. When we're home he comes in and out of the house, but if either me or the OH leave the room, he sits at the door and cries and cries until we return, despite the fact that there's still one of us with him! What's that about! Do you think it's something he'll grow out of? All opinions welcome
Super cute dog!! He's lovely
The crying at the door is seperation anixiety... my guy still does it time to time.... as you are at work all day when you come home, he's happy... then you leave the room and he's not happy....
can i ask, does he have a small bed in the kitchen?0 -
Super cute dog!! He's lovely
The crying at the door is seperation anixiety... my guy still does it time to time.... as you are at work all day when you come home, he's happy... then you leave the room and he's not happy....
can i ask, does he have a small bed in the kitchen?
Thanks Cocker5
I thought this too but it's only just started say in the last week or so? He'll do it at weekends as well even if he spends all day with us and one of us goes to get a drink or something and he starts it then til that person returns to the room...even if the other person is still in the room with him! Even if we weren't both at work we still wouldn't be with him 24hrs a day! Do you think he'll grow out of it when he is more used to our routine?
No he doesn't have a bed in the kitchen, he has his own rug on our rug in the sitting room and he knows that's his spot when we're at home.
The reason I'm reluctant to move him inside to sleep is that we'll have to put him out when we go to work and I'm afraid he'll wake up the neighbours then with the howls! Although to be fair he's generally very quiet, just this whinging/crying recently that's started0 -
Thanks Cocker5
I thought this too but it's only just started say in the last week or so? He'll do it at weekends as well even if he spends all day with us and one of us goes to get a drink or something and he starts it then til that person returns to the room...even if the other person is still in the room with him! Even if we weren't both at work we still wouldn't be with him 24hrs a day! Do you think he'll grow out of it when he is more used to our routine?
No he doesn't have a bed in the kitchen, he has his own rug on our rug in the sitting room and he knows that's his spot when we're at home.
The reason I'm reluctant to move him inside to sleep is that we'll have to put him out when we go to work and I'm afraid he'll wake up the neighbours then with the howls! Although to be fair he's generally very quiet, just this whinging/crying recently that's started
Hey there...
The reasons i asked about does he have a bed in the kitchen, i didnt mean for night time... i just meant to he has a "place" to chill when he's inside...but as you mentioned he has a rug... is this rug with him when you leave the room?? What i mean is do you leave him in the kitchen or living room when you leave the room??
The reason why i ask is... when you leave the room you should say "bed" put him on his rug, with a small treat, kong stuffed with pate would be ideal... and it would take his mind off the fact that you have gone... no dog can resist pate....this should make him feel safe ... do this each time you leave the room.. so he learns its ok to be on his own etc...
he is used to being in the garden on his own, so he's cool with that he's just unsure about being left in the house... plus he KNOWS your in the house and wants to be with you guys... so maybe try putting him in his BED ie his rug... then leaving the room... try this for a week or two... if he persists, then try squirting a tiny amount of water when you open to door... DONT SPEAK to him.... just squirt....
he should grow out of it but it will take time... my fella is 5... when i leave the room he waits for me at the door... doesnt usually whinge anymore... but every now and then he lets out a pityfull whinge... just to keep me in line...:D:D:D 0 -
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Hey there...
The reasons i asked about does he have a bed in the kitchen, i didnt mean for night time... i just meant to he has a "place" to chill when he's inside...but as you mentioned he has a rug... is this rug with him when you leave the room?? What i mean is do you leave him in the kitchen or living room when you leave the room??
The reason why i ask is... when you leave the room you should say "bed" put him on his rug, with a small treat, kong stuffed with pate would be ideal... and it would take his mind off the fact that you have gone... no dog can resist pate....this should make him feel safe ... do this each time you leave the room.. so he learns its ok to be on his own etc...
he is used to being in the garden on his own, so he's cool with that he's just unsure about being left in the house... plus he KNOWS your in the house and wants to be with you guys... so maybe try putting him in his BED ie his rug... then leaving the room... try this for a week or two... if he persists, then try squirting a tiny amount of water when you open to door... DONT SPEAK to him.... just squirt....
he should grow out of it but it will take time... my fella is 5... when i leave the room he waits for me at the door... doesnt usually whinge anymore... but every now and then he lets out a pityfull whinge... just to keep me in line...:D:D:D
LOL yes he does seem to like to try to keep us in line rather than the other way round as well!!
Thanks a mil for this advice will defo try it out - you mentioned the coke bottle before I'll punch a hole or two in one this evening and try it out
Thanks again!0 -
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Hi beagle001
Thanks a mil for those tips. You're right they are great dogs - so affectionate and loves cuddles
He does pull a lot while walking, he usually brings me on a walk instead of the other way round but the OH is much better at controlling him as is teaching him to heel as he goes.
He's still sleeping outside at the moment as advised by the Vet - he said if it's what he's used to (his previous owners also had him outside) then to stick with it as he's well able for it so thankfully that's working out. We only had one night of bad howling since we got him, no neighbours complained (how they didn't I'll never know!) but to be on the safe side we bought one of those citronella collars to have as a backup - we haven't had to use it yet but feel a bit better knowing we can if he makes a lot of noise again.
He's a stubborn as hell and if he doesn't want to do something then he just doesn't do it! Maybe obedience training will help with this.
Otherwise he's very well behaved, we haven't let him off the lead while on a walk yet but every so often let him have a run around the green outside the house (with us outside too) and he seems to come back ok so we'll see how that goes! Might be a different story if we're out walking him and he smells a rabbit!!
Do you let yours off the lead at all while walking him? Be interested to know.0 -
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