Help training a Beagle please

[Justanopinion]

Long story short, we are long term babysitting a Beagle.

This dog is only 4 months old and has not been housed trained yet.

We were also told that this dog was crated at night, ummm...I don't think so. We tried that and didn't get far as we needed some sleep so that we could go to work. We did however crate the dog while we went out to dinner last night, we could hear it barking as soon as we pulled into the driveway.

We have a 5 year daughter and we are also having a problem with the dog chewing on her small toys and stuffed animals.

Any advice or suggestions for websites would be helpful.

TIA

 

[manning]

Take it out into the front yard and show it a rabbit.

Seriously, they are stubborn dogs and have a mind of their own. Next door neighbors have two. They worked hard training them. It can be done. Surprisingly they are held in their yard by an invisible fence. Now that is training considering the number of rabbits we have here,

 

[Pea-n-Me]

It's controversial here, but putting the crate in the bedroom can help. The dog sees you which eliminates some of the separation anxiety. I've done it this way with 3 of my dogs and it worked well. It was a recommendation that I'd read from dog experts The Monks of New Skeet.

I think you're in a difficult position because the dog is very young and not yours. There's really no way to know for sure how it was trained prior to coming to you. And he'll be leaving you at some point. Not easy - for you or the dog.

If you want a good reference book, try Good Owners, Great Dogs, by Brian Kilcommons and Sara Wilson. Excellent recommendations for just about everything in there. (You can often find copies at used book stores for a couple of bucks.)

As for the toys, it's really just common sense on the part of both the dog and the people. Don't let the dog at them. Keep the dog behind a fence in the kitchen unless he's under your direct supervision at all times. Correct him if he grabs something, but at the same time, give him something it's ok for him to chew. He's teething now, so his mouth is sore and it's natural for him to need to chew. Also, keep things put away, at least while the dog is with you.

My neighbors are currently watching someone's 4 month old puppy and they're having a rough time. Good luck.

 

[yoopermom]

It's like being given a teenage kid

I'd make sure he's worn out/tired/just had a long walk before bedtime. Hopefully they sent something with him that smells of "home" to sleep with, even a smelly tshirt from your DH will do. If it's a wire crate, I often throw a blanket or sheet over the whole thing like a bird cage so he can't see out anywhere. And I agree with the poster who would keep it in your room.

As far as the stuffies go, this is a good time to start teaching the child "pick up your toys or keep them in your room with the door closed". Pup is probably VERY sore from teething, and will be thrilled with whatever you give him to chew on that's appropriate. If he was yours longterm, I would suggest "tethering" him to you with a six foot lead from him to your belt so you would know where he is at all times.

It's very kind of you to take this on, and I praise you for your patience. The owners better appreciate what you're doing for them!

Terri

 

[Justanopinion]

I won't go too far into the logistics of how we got this dog but let's just say that he is owned by a young 22 year old man that really can't even take care of himself.
The young man was kicked out of his home within hours, literally hours, of his room mate dying. He had just spent 3 days in HE......watching this older woman die and not knowing exactly what to do and calling 911 more than once and being yelled at by a relative for calling 911.

So when we got the dog he had no food, no collar, no leash. The crate the dog came with was filthy, haven't even taken it out of the back of the truck yet. We are using a crate we had.

I do believe though that he had the dog trained to sleep on the bed with him and I don't want the dog on my bed.

I also don't think the dog has been around young ones. He's doing well but could be better. Just hyper type things.

 

[yoopermom]

Then here's an extra big for being kind enough to help the owner out, god bless you. We have eight hounds, and everytime I see how many beagles are in the shelters, it breaks my heart. I PROMISE that if you (or the original owner) can get through the first year, it gets easier from there on out. I have an 8 yr old beagle sleeping in the sun on the patio right now, and it only took her about, oh, five years to become a total couch potato

Carol Lea Benjamin's book Second-Hand Dog is a good start. Google "beagle rescue" and your state/area for contacts that could help as well. Be patient with them since they're usually overwhelmed volunteers. If you lived closer to us, you'd be welcome to have it come over and join our pack.

Do you have any other animals? If not, is there a dog park nearby that he could go and socialize at?

Bless you once again, and keep asking questions.
Terri

 

[Liberty Belle]

We've got a 11 week old beagle right now and I feel your pain. No advice - I could use some myself.

Bless you for helping out this young man.

 

[princess63]

If your cable/satellite provider carries Animal Planet, there are several shows on there about dog training that might provide some tips for you. My personal fave is called "It's Me or the Dog"-- it's hosted by professional dog trainer Victoria Stillwell, who helps owners train their problem pooches.

If you can't get Animal Planet, try going onto animalplanet.com, and you'll see tips on dog training.

Just keep in mind that it takes alot of time, patience, and repetition to train them. Good luck!