Venting about my Dog

JLA815 Posted: Jul 03, 2004 05:52 PM

Venting about my Dog

What do you do with a dog that is completely making you miserable. I should say my husbands dog. He is a beagle which is impossible to train. Every time we leave the house he does his business all over the house. I have a 4 month old who will crawl soon and I don't know what to do with his hair and mess all over. He also has the loudest bark you could imagine when he sees the slightest leaf fall from a tree. Please help, my husband and I fight constantley over him. I am at my wits end

Anne01 Posted: Jul 03, 2004 06:00 PM

Re: Venting about my Dog

How old is your beagle? Can he be kept confined to one area of the house when no one is home? We keep our 'boys' in the kitchen (tile floor) when no one is around. We have a 'baby gate' (the kind that screws in to the wall on one side) across the kitchen entrance to prevent them from wandering.

baby gate

JLA815 Posted: Jul 03, 2004 07:51 PM

Re: Venting about my Dog

thx for the advice. I have to see about a gate. He was in a cage when I was working, but now that I am home we figured we'd give freedom a chance. My husband loves his dog and I am trying. He is loveable but a nuisance at times. BTW he is 2 years old.

matron Posted: Jul 03, 2004 08:35 PM

Re: Venting about my Dog

Consider installing a dog door. We keep our dogs in our Florida room which has a dog door and they haven't had an accident since. Also, if he has access to the outside, he may exercise more which will make him less wound up and noisy when you get back home. Try it. Don't make your husband get rid of the dog. You'll live with that guilt for the rest of your life. That's your husband's baby. I'm telling you ... a dog door will do the trick. Good luck!

matron Posted: Jul 03, 2004 08:36 PM

Re: Venting about my Dog

One more thing ... you're going to think I'm kidding when I say this, but I promise he'll calm down at 3. Both of my dogs did. That's when they get out of their puppyhood stage.

JLA815 Posted: Jul 03, 2004 08:56 PM

Re: Venting about my Dog

Thx so much for listening. I know my son will love playing with him as he gets older. 3 years old isn't that far off.

groovypeg Posted: Jul 03, 2004 08:58 PM

Re: Venting about my Dog

what about hiring a dog trainer?

nferrandi Posted: Jul 03, 2004 10:11 PM

Re: Venting about my Dog

Our friends have a beagle and I know the exact annoying bark you're talking about- it's half bark, half howl and sounds like he's yelling, right? Unfortunately, as far as that goes, you probably won't be able to change that. Beagles are notorious for being vocal. On the house training side you should only allow him to be loose if there's someone there to keep an eye on him. That means if you're watching TV in the living room, all other doors are closed. If you're going out, he either goes in his crate or you keep him gated in the kitchen. Our dog is pretty good about going to the door or barking when she needs to go out, but our friends with the beagle have a long Christmas bell on their front door. They used to ring the bell and then take the dog for a walk. He learned to hit the bell when he needed to go out. It sounds strange but it worked for them and they have since gotten rid of the bell.

regi Posted: Jul 03, 2004 11:22 PM

Re: Venting about my Dog

is he neutered?? has he been doing this recently?? U might want to make sure that he is okay. Try taking him to the vet and get a health report.

IF you are yelling at the dog, stop. it will only make matters worse. Most likely he is doing it for attention. I mean you have a new baby so he is probably jealous. Remember they have feelings too.

check out warren ecksteins website. He is a pro at dog and cat behavior. there are a lot of great books written byhim that could help you.

remember getting upset is not going to solve anything, you need to solve the behavior problem.
good luck

JLA815 Posted: Jul 04, 2004 10:36 AM

Re: Venting about my Dog

Thx for the advice..but yet again, I just cleaned up Dog poop...I am soooo depressed over this

sophie78 Posted: Jul 04, 2004 10:56 AM

Re: Venting about my Dog

They absolutely calm down at about 3 years. Beagles have a really great sense of smell so you need to be really careful to thoroughly clean the floor after he goes because he will keep going back to that spot. Usually beagles only bay (their barking style) when they are left alone for long periods of time. Maybe a dog walker is a good option.