Dog Problems

Obedience training is a must for every dog. Also, small dogs need much, much more exercise than larger dogs. Do you take her out for walks? Smaller dogs need at least 2 long walks per day. Much of the bad behavior that dogs have is from too much pent up energy. A tired dog is a well behaved dog.

I have had so much luck with the shock collar. You can get one that has a remote so any time she does an undesirable behavior you can shock her from the remote. It doesnt actually really hurt the dog but they obviously dont like it and it doesnt feel good. After your dog learns what not to do you dont have to use it anymore. You can use it with digging, biting, chasing, barking etc. There is another collar that will shock by itself when they bark but it doesnt do anything when they dig etc. I hope this helps. It really has worked wonders for my dogs. You dont want to have to give up your dog, I had to put one down and my little girl still asks where she is a year later! I would strongly suggest this method. Also, I had a problem with my dog digging under the fence. If your dog is in a confined area unsupervised 24/7 You can put chicken wire down and cover it with dirt. They wont dig there for long, it hurts their paws. Also, dogs usually wont dig in places where they have pooped. If the dog has a favorite digging place you can shovel some of his poop (gross, I know but it works) into the area and he more than likely wont dig there. Chili powder is supposed to deter them from digging too but I havent tried it. Good luck!

Go to http://www.cesarsway.com/ to learn more about Cesar Milan, the Dog Wisperer, and his way of rehabilitating dogs and training humans. The man really is a miracle worker! You can watch videos of him in action solving problems like the ones you've mentioned from his web-site where your able to look up specific behaviors. You'll be amazed at quickly he can resolve problems. To sign up for online classes with Cesar go to http://www.sessionswithcesar.com/?gclid=CKb-tvKop6ACFQUMD.... You can also catch him on National Geographic channel. New episodes air on Friday nights.

Your dog should be a joy. Being crated all the time is not good for the dog at all. Have you thought of getting training for your dog?? Also beagles do bark a lot. Maybe this puppy is not the right fit for your family. Next time you decide to get a dog please research the breed your getting. You have a very active dog that needs training and love. If you cannot handle this puppy take her back so someone that can handle and love her can take her. Check online to see what kind of dog best fits your life. Good luck!

Go to puppy training school! The instructors should be able to tell you if this dog's behavior is normal, fixable, or if the dog has some serious personality problem that the average dog owner can't fix. Dogs need a lot of serious training and most owners don't realize this and don't follow through. The result is years of frustration. Train these behaviors out of your dog!

I have put two dogs through the Petsmart program and it was great both times. I have also trained dogs on my own.

First off, get yourself a couple of books. The library has many including in the children's section. Everyone needs to play a role in the training of your dog but only one person can be in charge. Since your husband is not fond of the dog at this time that makes you the Alpha Wolf or pack leader.

Chasing is a natural instinct of a dog. We have a German Shepherd. When he was a puppy my son would run and he would chase him and bite him. I told him not to and our dog trainer explained to him the instinct of the dog. He did it anyway. My son was the only one in our family who had ripped shirts, pants and sometimes nips on the skin. Try a combination of supervised play with the dog and crating until she learns the groundrules. When she matures she will learn to "hang out" and not chase and bite but she will still occassionally become annoying. She is dog. You need firmness and repetition. If your constant solution is just the crate she will never know how to behave.

I have also had some barkers and barking really irritates me. We had an Austrailian Shepherd who loved to hear himself bark. We tried a barking collar with him. He didn't care. It really depends on the dog. As he grew though he seemed to mellow and not bark as much.

One thing you can try. I am going to try this with my Yorkie pup who has issues with people coming to the door. I have heard that this works. Get a metal can and put some pennies in it. Make sure the dog does not see it. When she barks you shake the can. The dog should learn to associate the loud noise with barking. I have tried clapping my hands which she will back away from but she still barks when she can see my hands. However, when I clap when she is chasing a ball and barks she stops barking because she cannot see my hands. Worth a try.

Good luck. You can do it.

Remember though if this dog really doesn't fit your family there is nothing wrong with giving her to a rescue. Peace in the family is much more important. There are so many animals out there. Those at the shelters will no her issues are puppy issues and I think it will be fine if it doesn't work out.

C.

They make a thing called a bark collar, that works for biting too. It delivers a small shock to the dog when you press the button. Our neighbor used one one on his dog when he would leave the yard and run off, he doesn't even need it now. Another friend used it for his dogs accessive barking and he doesn't do that anymore.
We have a rat terrier and he chases my kids when they run in the house, doesn't seem to like that, but he picks up a toy before "going after" them. Not sure how or when that started, but he doesn't bite the kids because of it.
Unfortunately if you husband doesn't like aggressive/active dogs, then you picked the wrong one. Rat terriers are very active...ours is 5 and still very active. They do train well and are very smart, so try training her more consistantly and hopefully she will make everyone happy. Good luck and God Bless.

The first thing I would do would be to take her to PetSmart (or someplace else that has dog training/obedience classes). I would go there and talk to someone who does dog training, explain the issues you are having, and ask for their advice. If they are quite certain they can help you train the dog to behave and not be aggressive, then keep the dog and do the training with her. If they think that training won't help enough in her case, then you're better off finding her a new home. It's fun to have a dog, but the dog should enhance your life, not make your family miserable. Most dogs can be trained to behave, but you have to put the time and effort into it. It's so worth it though- because you'll have a friend for life.

The rescue in Lawrence does not put animals down and keep them until they find a home for them. I had to take two dogs there when moved and had to go to an apartment while our house was being built. These dogs were sort of left with me and I did love them but had to find a home and the Lawrence rescue even called to tell me when they found a home for them and made me feel so much better about it. Then be very selective if you do this, that you get the 'right' dog for kids, playing, activeness and aggressive breeds, etc. Puppies can be so good for kids and dogs such friends to them as well as to you all. But it has to be the 'right' dog, right breed, etc. Maybe an older dog who is trained more would be best for you with the kids, etc. There are often older dogs in liters who need good homes.

If she is not working out for everyone, you should find her a new home and adopt a much milder dog. We adopted a Westie. She loves our kids, doesn't bite, and is very relaxed.

Going from what Donna H. said what she was describing is a 'training' collar that you push a button to shock the dog, (we have one of these). This can only be used when someone is around the dog holding the remote controller. If the dog gets too agressive you push a button. Ours has different levels because some levels do on affect some dogs & ours also has a sound button that dosen't shock, but it still takes the dog's mind off of what they were doing.
However we also have a 'bark' collar that we put on our dog sometimes when we leave & it only zaps him when he barks. He can still growl & make noises, but when he barks loud enough it zaps him.
Good luck!

God bless!

Have you ever heard of or watched the Dog Whisperer? If not, I highly recommend that you do. One episode won't cut it though... you need to watch several to really understand how what he promotes applies to you and your dog.

I have a well behaved dog, and it has a lot to do with watching his show. (He also sells books and "tools" but they aren't necessary). She went to obedience training as a pup, but I wasn't a big fan of the methods and they (choke collar being one thing) made her HATE the leash and she would pee submissively every time my husband would reach for her collar to put the leash on for a walk. We were in NO way abusive or overly harsh... she is just a smart and sensitive dog who was trying to please... and the choke collar was not what worked best for her personality.

Learning to "be the pack leader" is what your pup needs you to do. Train yourself, so that you are in charge. She will fall into line. I promise.

The Dog Whisperer (Cesar Milan) comes on National Geographic channel.

Rat terriers generally don't like little people, they are skiddish, Beagles generally bark, but are good with children...I think it is great you tried to adopt from the human society. Also, dogs can tell if they aren't liked and may be more defensive, (your husband) You could try training because she is a puppy and puppies bite more because they are teething....unless she loves the crate, she will become more aggressive because she is put in there.
Maybe you could find her a good home via ads in your neighborhood, friends, relatives? I know some human societies will take back a dog, but it is not suggested (by me) because they will look at is as the dog is to aggressive and may not be adoptable. Post cute pictures, I'm sure she is adorable!

Beagles are horrible dogs when it comes to barking. They just don't give up. I think you really need to go for training before giving up. She is basically just playing with the kids in the yard but they also have to learn how to be her boss and tell her to stop when she nips. My neighbors did get a shock collar for their dog because it always ran away, and while I'm not an advocate of that type of training, it works for them. They have it on a low setting and after a couple "shocks" she doesn't run anymore and plays with the kids in the yard and doesn't even have to be shocked. But first, TRAINING! So important. It will teach your family how to be the dog's boss and everyone will be happier.

It's really about how you train your dog. Any dog can be a good and well-behaved dog if you take the time to train them properly. I had a rat terrier, and he was great with my kids. I also had a beagle who didn't really bark or howl very much. I would suggest going to the library and getting some books on training your dog.

I'd go for training classes before giving up. But just as there are nervous, excitable or short tempered people, there are dogs that simply have personalities that are not a good match for active family situations. Your puppy might do better with another owner, and your family might do better with a different dog.

And as a noise-sensitive person who has had three different dog owning neighbors in the last 20 years with barking dogs, that can be true misery. With one of those neighbors, who seemed to cop an attitude every time we (or others) begged him to do something about the barking, I was really afraid I was going to lose it. I became so depressed I considered suicide during several long, noisy nights one summer. It was hell. Fortunately they moved away not long after, but I wonder what their new neighbors are enduring.

Dog training, get her some dog training. She is a puppy.....she needs to know that this behavior is wrong. Find a vet that offers some good training. It shouldn't be too expensive. I know PetSmart has training as well. If you need to, get her a muzzle for a bit......She must be more like rat terrier than beagle, because Beagles love kids and don't snap.......I've had Beagles....they love kids to pieces! I would recommend now while she is still young to get her into some behavior training.
You don't say what you do when she does this to the kids either.......anything? Does she realize this is a bad thing to do? My son has a beagle/terrier mix and he went through the same thing. With training, she is doing great now with the kids and the other dog they got. Good Luck and let me know how things go.
By the way, I have a Beagle and he DOES NOT bark alot......and he's full blooded.........so work with her, she will be a great dog I'm sure.

Please do not shoot your dog with an air-pellet gun. That sounds sadistic.

Consistency is key when training your dog. Take a week and just put your puppy on a schedule to go outside, nap time, feeding, the works. I have heard great things about the PetSmart program, you may want to look into it. Also, talk to the Humane Society, they may have advice for you.

Good luck, I hope most of this is just puppy stuff that she will outgrow!

digging digging digging I have a Beagle too. She bark/howls, it's truly annoying. She's dug to China three times and we have reseeded every summer for three years. This summer we are resodding to sell the house. I will have to keep her tied up.
Has she been to dog obedience training? She is in those teenage years right now and testing you. Be firm and consistent. My cousin has one of those remote trainers to give her dog, an Akita, a zap when she is being bad. I don't use them though.
I have a Shepherd that is highly aggressive. We put her away when the kids have friends over, she will nip fingers and heels when the kids are playing.
I also tie one of ours up while she's in the back yard. She jumps fences.
I have three dogs.
I would start at Petsmart or a dog obedience school and see what they suggest.
Do the kids feed her? That is a good way to establish dominancy, which is what she is doing ot you.
Feed her a little bit at a time, she only gets food when she is behaving. Take her food bowl and give her a little bit from your hand, until all her food is gone. If she nips or jumps or is aggressive no more food, Don't worry she won't starve.
Good luck. Beagles and rat terriers are great dogs but I won't have another Beagle. My shepherds aren't so blasted annoying.

She needs a new home. If you can't find her one, then ask the Humane society to help. She was not a good fit for your family. perhaps she is perfect for someone else, though. She deserves the chance to fit in happily somewhere, and your family does not deserve the stress this pet has brought. Pets should be fun comforting companions who feel like family.

Before you fall in love with the next adorable little face, do a little research on the breed. Ask questions. Be a knowledgeable adopter, and you all will be happy and blessed to have each other. :o)

I think you need to find a different home for the dog. Beagles and Terriers like to chase, bark and dig. Its in their nature.