Indiana_beagle Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 (edited) OK, so I've been wanting a beagle since... well, forever! And I finally got a little girl last weekend. I always heard that beagles can be head-strong, and enjoy following a scent. But since I started reading up on training tips I've learned that they are actually very destructive and howl a lot if left on their own during the day. My partner and I both work, but that doesn't mean I don't love my pup and am willing to spend time with her. I was planning on taking her for a 45 min walk (jog when she's old enough) every day of a morning and then another walk in the afternoons for about half and hour, maybe 3 days of the Mon-Fri week. (weekends however are free for me to devote 100% time to her if she wants it!) My question to beagle owners and gurus is: will this be enough to give her the mental and physical stimulation she needs to stop her howling/destroying during the day? It wouldn't bother me if she got up to some mischeif every couple of months, but I just don't want to come home every day to a cratered yard or irate neighbors. I'm not prepared to get another dog to keep her company just yet, but I only work about 5 mins from where I live so I could possibly drop home for lunch maybe ~3 times a mon-fri week. I've also heard very mixed reports about how to keep them. I have a good sized back yard (14mx20m) which is mostly just grass and a hedge around the perimeter. I've got 1.5m fences around the entire yard that are concreted underneath to stop her getting out. I've also got an area at the side of the house, about 10m x 1.8m that I was thinking I might section her off with. I could build a solid weatherproof dog house and keep her there during the day maybe? She could dig that up as much as she wants and I wouldn't care, but would the confined area exasperate her howling? (again, in conjunction with the 1.5 walks per day that she would get) The other thing I've heard of people doing is to keep them crated all day inside. I'm doing that now while she's a pup, and just ducking home to let her out for toilet 3-4 times a day (she's really very good and hasn't soiled in the house at all yet!). I'm reluctant to do that both for her sake, as well as for my wife who is having a tough time with allergies... (I've had plenty of dogs before, but none have ever had as strong an odour as this little hound! ) Regardless of the method, I would do my best to make sure she always had toys, chews, kongs and bones (frozen in blocks of ice) to help her pass the time. But if it's purely companionship during the day that she's seeking then I simply cannot provide... If that is the case, then I have the opportunity to return her to the breeder before I get any more emotionally attached... It will break my heart but I ultimately just want to know/do what's best for her. urgent advice or gems of wisdom would be greatly appreciated! (sorry if this is better suited to the beagle thread - just thought i might get a more comprehensive response here) Edited March 3, 2010 by Indiana_beagle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Hi Indiana_beagle I think you will make a great Beagle parent With many dogs, it is not necessarily the amount of time given to exercise that is important, but also what you do with the time. Training sessions which involve the dog using her brain as well as her body will go a long way in satisfying her needs. This can be basic obedience, tricks (which are a lot of fun to train!) or many other things. When your pup is young you don't want to over exercise her. This especially is where training can be useful in tiring her out without putting too much strain on her developing body. When she is older she will love longer romps. I would recommend plenty of recall training as Beagles are known for following their nose. Dogs do not need stimulation all day long. If you provide enough of that when you are home she should be happy to chill out when you are away Beagles do howl and it is LOUD! Hopefully some Beagle owners will come in here to help prevent howling issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeeGee Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Hey there, congrats osn your gorgeous new baby. When we first had Charlie we he was outside through the day, with a doggie nanny coming in the afternoons cuddle feed and play if we were on shifts. Eventually we worked it up to Charlie having access inside and outside whilst we are gone. He has never destroyed anything inside and we leave the tv on for him (channel 2 or sbs, i like him to have an education LOL ) He howls for 1-3 mins after we leave a couple of times a week. Thats it. I know this because I check with the neighbours. He has a rotation of interactive toys that we leave him with through the day, one day with will be x x x, the next day will be o o o - you get the drift. The area around the side sounds good to start with as long as there is adequate shade/water/toys etc.....once a little older I cant see when she cant play in the main yard (assuming there is shade/water etc). Your probably already know this, but beagles are pack animals. They want to be with you all the time. Charlie really is an inside beagle, goes outside to play and toilet, but really, wherever we are, he is. This includes night time. She won't howl or be disturbed if she is included in your *pack*. The exercise sounds fantastic - is more than what Charlie gets. I've noticed that whats most important to Charlie is that he gets sniffy time, so even if the walk isnt mega, if he gets is 1/2 hr of sniffy time, he is one happy pup. He does get exercise every day of course. I am no expert, have had Charlie for 9 months and struggled alot, there are heaps more people who know more that me but thats my thoughts, from one beagle lover to another. ** Charlie is currently snuggled up in his snoozer next to me as I type this and he couldnt be happier, dreaming happy puppy dreams - my little man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeeGee Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 (edited) * also, as he got older i did training every day, like sit/stay/roll over etc. Clicker training was really effective for him, and got a great FAST result. We still practice every day but I am slack in not teaching him alot else. edited to add: how old is your pup? Edited March 3, 2010 by jacquilee81 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indiana_beagle Posted March 3, 2010 Author Share Posted March 3, 2010 Thanks for the super fast replies guys! I pride myself on being a manly man and all () but I've been so anxious in the last week that I'm sleep deprived and have that "Oh my god, what have i done?" feeling that has nearly had me in tears a couple of times. I should point out that none of those moment were becasue Indy was doing anything wrong - it is all just my built up apprehension about these 'evil beagle' horror stories I'm hearing since I've brought her home... If they really are that way, I feel like I might be better off giving her to a home with stay at home adult and/or kids who will give her the pack dedication she truly needs. :-( I will get up some pics of my yard and house to get even better advice from you lovely lot here at DOL! In the meantime though: * also, as he got older i did training every day, like sit/stay/roll over etc. Clicker training was really effective for him, and got a great FAST result. We still practice every day but I am slack in not teaching him alot else.edited to add: how old is your pup? She is 8 weeks today. Already I can see that she's super smart (well from previous dogs I've owned anyway). She recalls around 80% of the time, sits around 60% of the time, and eliminates nearly 90%. She is being crate trained at the moment, and loves being in her crate. She gets anxious every now and then but I completely ignore her and she settles down within 15 mins tops. (after which I reward her compliance) I'll post more soon - just gotta go home and let her out of the crate now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeeGee Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Did you get Indy from a registered breeder, and does she have her papers? It sounds like you love your pup heaps and have just been scared off by naysayers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 LOL - my dog is known as the Evil Beagle :p Personally I wouldn't be crating her all day, I think she is far more likely to be happy being left alone with a bit more room to move (whether you leave her in the yard or the sectioned off area). It will be some time before she's old enough to go for walks, the general rule is five minutes of structured exercise like a walk per month of age, so she will be well over six months before you can take her for half an hour walks. I find mental stimulation is the best way to tire them out, more so than physical exercise. Training training and more training, just keep it fun and make a game out of it As for barking/howling, I am no help, even going through our paces for obedience tonight I couldn't get Daisy to shut up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB_GVmsqOqY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeeGee Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 (edited) That was awesome!! Just played your clip and Charlie went OFFFF!! He couldnt find the other damn Beagle that was howling!!!! He is still growling!!! Ill have to wait until he is in bed to look at your other clips... *oh god 5 mins later he is still howling.....* *heads in hands* Edited March 3, 2010 by jacquilee81 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 (edited) LOL - nothing interesting to see there yet! She rarely barks during training but tonight she was REALLY excited and into it... naughty habit we are working on breaking. Edited March 3, 2010 by huski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeeGee Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Ah its good to get tips (if you don't mind) so Ill be "clipping" away lol. Charlie and I have a long way to go :-) ~ Jac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Ah its good to get tips (if you don't mind) so Ill be "clipping" away lol. Charlie and I have a long way to go :-) ~ Jac Of course not! Not sure there is much to learn from my utube channel though, my handling is terrible for starters, but we are learning too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilaryo Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 My two cents worth First off let me dispell the myth that all beagles are howling, digging maniacs that distroy everything in sight. Like all dogs, each pup within a litter will have it's own personality. Beagles can be hyper but really are quite easy to train, particularly with a special food treat (chicken is a favourite) that you only use for the appropriate behaviour. Most beagles that become difficult don't have enough contact with their family and little or no training. So when you are home please have her inside as part of the family. Get some child proof gates if you want to contain her to one area where you spend the most time (eg. family room). This will also make her easier to toilet train. A good puppy pre-school is invaluable for socialisation and training tips. Even at this early stage you could spend short periods of time doing some training with her, eg. 5 minutes twice a day. This helps establish you as the leader in her eyes and is not just about teaching her to sit, stay, etc. Get a good book on caring and training your puppy, I'm sure someone on the training forum can recommend one. That is way too much exercise at this early stage although important when she is older. Like Huski mentioned keeping your puppy in a crate all day home alone is not a good idea. Particularly if she is then crated during the night. If your yard is 100% safe during the day put a bed for her undercover outside with plenty of toys and things to keep her busy and hopefully she will be happy. Beagles love the company of other dogs. Perhaps when she is older you can consider getting a rescue beagle or other breed of dog that is out of the puppy stage as a companion for each other. Some of these beagles/dogs are beautifully behaved and it is often no fault of their own that they are rehomed. Already having a beagle should give you preferential treatment. As you already would know beagles are bred as a pack animal and can get very lonely. Lastly, if you live in a metropolitan area join the beagle club in your state. They usually hold events throughout the year that you and she will enjoy. Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeeGee Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 *scuffs her feet* I need to do more training jacqui Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilaryo Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 *scuffs her feet* I need to do more training jacqui Having said all that...I have one that howls if I take my other beagle out without him. Seriously, I'm no expert. Far from it Just did beagle rescue for a couple of years so you see directly where people go wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 *scuffs her feet* I need to do more training Training is so much fun! You are welcome to join us for a training session any time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeeGee Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 (edited) once i work with charlie a little more I will. I dont want to make a fool of either of us though lol *either of us as in me, or charlie Edited March 4, 2010 by jacquilee81 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chocolatelover Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Hi Indiana beagel, Gorgeous puppy - I forgot how cute they were And I 100% agree with Hilaryo - individual temperament is as much if not more important than breed generalisations. We have a 2 and a half year old beagle who is the quietest and laziest little guy you will ever meet. (My neighbour swears he is a cat trapped inside a dogs body). In fact, I had some blood tests done on him two days ago to make sure he didn't have anything wrong with him - all good. He has never dug or "escaped" - although has wandered down to the neighbours at the end of our court when the kids left the gate open once and ate half a packet of her bread rolls from her shopping bag He never barks, I still don't know what a beagle "howl" is and he doesn't particularly enjoy the company of other dogs - prefers to sleep on his bed He loves to be "near" us but usually does his own thing. I walk him every day though for at least an hour and he does perk up when it comes to food. He loves sniffing and while I do do the Kong thing his personal favourite is having his biscuits/liver treats "hidden" all over the yard so that he has to sniff them out. Usually I save it for when we are going out or heading off to work as he sniffs around long after he has found them all! He is then plum tuckered out and sleeps the rest of the day away. Most people have to work and if you give her plenty of love and attention when you can then she is doing better than many dogs!! And having kids often means being busy with work, school and sporting activities and may not necessarily be a better life for a dog. I know a familiy with four kids where the dogs spend most of their life outside on the patio with little human interaction. You sound like a great dog owner and she's lucky to have you. Don't expect the worst beagle traits from her because in my opinion if you put in the time and the effort a great dog is usually the end result. Oh, thinking back, he did chew a fair bit as a pup - never seemed to be anything less than $50. And he will still steal food that is left within his reach (has been known to eat an entire box of weetbix) and is quite adept at opening a zipped up lunchbox. But that's as bad as it gets really Good luck with your pup - she is lucky to have you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 once i work with charlie a little more I will. I dont want to make a fool of either of us though :D lol*either of us as in me, or charlie ;) Pffffft, I embarrass myself all the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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