Dog Community

Need Advice on My Beagle

Posted : 3/19/2008 10:30:50 AM

My beagle is a year and one month old. At around four months, we entered him into a training program. I did research on the facility and what they had to offer. They were very professional and worked with many celebrities and well known people. We saw a class or two before signing up and everything looked great. However, what we didn't realize was that it was extremely strict. Our dog wasn't allowed to play in the house or even roam free in the house. He was to be always on command. Huey(the beagle) has learned a lot of commands(sit, down, stay, wave, rollover, play dead, speak, heal, come) but we felt that we just took the dog out of him. We really didn't like that he couldn't walk around the house and that he always had to stay in place(in the down position) and ultimately that he couldn't play in the house. Especially because we live in an apartment. So we withdrew him from the class. Now, we don't really have an idea where to go. He thinks that if he gets up and walks around that he will get into trouble. Because of this we have continued keeping him on command while in the house. I really want to move from that to him being allowed to walk around, play, cuddle, etc. while still being a well behaved dog. I'm guessing the first step is finding a training program that fits for us. But I want to know what you all allow your dogs to do in the house and how they behave in the house. Do you keep them on command at all times, or just when you want them to be? Thanks for the advice in advance as I am very frustrated over it all. Specifically because the class was $900, and some of that money is lost because we quit the class. :(

rwbeagles

Posted : 3/19/2008 10:41:12 AM

New2Puppies
But I want to know what you all allow your dogs to do in the house and how they behave in the house. Do you keep them on command at all times, or just when you want them to be?

I don't ask anything of them really. They wander around...pick up toys and chew on them, play with my kids. Only commands I give with regularity are "Off".."Leave it"..."no bite". That will vary I am guessing by each dog....what they get into left out, if they are potty trained, etc.

But here it's pretty laid back...

Let that Beagle have some fun time...maybe encourage him with a toy that it's okay to stretch his legs a bit, maybe walk him around with you on a leash so he doesn't feel worried that he'll be corrected etc. Toss kibble along the floor and encourage him to chase it down...etc.

Xerxes

Posted : 3/19/2008 10:50:14 AM

New2Puppies
Do you keep them on command at all times, or just when you want them to be?

Hounds love to be able to make some of their own decisions. I don't keep my dog "on command" for any great length of time. Usually all of our commands are fun related anyways. I don't want my dog to be afraid of me, I'd rather have him trust and obey, as well as use his own judgement.

New2Puppies
But I want to know what you all allow your dogs to do in the house and how they behave in the house.

Almost anything goes in the house. No elimination, but almost everything else is fine. I'm one of those people that doesn't mind if the dog is on the couch, the chair or the bed. It's no big deal, as long as he responds when I tell him to. We play games in the house: I'll hide a treat and tell him to "find it." He gets to use his nose, and I get to practice his down-stays. So it's win-win. Everyone has fun, and FUN is a very important element in our training.

Richard Vaughn

Posted : 3/19/2008 11:17:42 AM

Thanks guys, at least I feel like I'm not crazy for getting him out of those classes. I think it's just going to be hard getting he acclimated to feeling free in the house.

denise m

Posted : 3/19/2008 11:25:17 AM

New2Puppies
But I want to know what you all allow your dogs to do in the house and how they behave in the house. Do you keep them on command at all times, or just when you want them to be? Thanks for the advice in advance as I am very frustrated over it all. Specifically because the class was $900, and some of that money is lost because we quit the class. :(

I think most members here would agree that house 'freedom' is an earned privilege. The more you can trust your dog the more freedom they are given. This comes with training, patience and time. The younger the dog usually means more control. A year old is still pretty young IMO. The training your dog received does sound a little strict. I have never heard of not allowing play, cuddles or having to remain in a down position. That is just weird! However roaming around free could be asking for trouble especially with a young dog. I think it is much better to start out restricting when and where your dog is allowed and as he matures and becomes more reliable simply expand his area.

I think it is very important for every dog owner to be very clear about their expectations in regard to 'life with their dog". Some people do not want their dogs having free access to the home. They want them confined to certain areas. They don't want them on the furniture. They don't want them running or playing in the house. Others want their dogs to have full access, no restrictions. Mi Casa es tu Casa! There is nothing wrong with either or anything in between. The point is, if you are clear on what you want then you can train towards that goal.

Personally my dog (5yr) has full access to our home - counter tops, living room furniture excluded. He has a designated area to eat and chew bones. He can sleep where ever he likes, except in my bed (when DH is home). He will leave a room when asked and stay in a down if asked. He will not beg for food. He is allowed to play and of course he is cuddled and petted. And basically those are his rules. He was a good 2, 2 1/2 yrs old before it all fell in place.

I don't think your training was a waste as it sounds like your dog is now very controllable. Which is good. Now you have to start loosening up and teaching him self-control. Just be clear what limits you want to place on him and be consistent with those.

janetmichel3009

Posted : 3/22/2008 5:13:57 AM

mine have some rules. no chewing anything but their own toys. no going in the bathroom or the bedroom without being asked to. no getting on the furniture without permission. besides that. anything goes. i keep them in a down if they have their noses in my dinner too much, or sometimes i just send them into their crates. but it's really all about what YOU are ok with. dont blindly follow rules that other people give your dog. YOU need to be happy about arrangements in the house. but honestly, keeping a dog in a down at ALL times, it seems kinda mean to me, especially cause it's so pointless.. it will probably need some incouraging on your part. i had some trouble getting jason to play with toys in the beginning, cause he was an inappropriate chewer and i wasnt informed well on training and used to just tell him "no" in the end he didnt dare play or chew with anything. i ended up soaking a rope toy in fish oil supplement. and that did the trick. the thing was stinky as hell and after a few weeks i threw it out, but it got him into it, and now he plays with any toy and is a happier dog :)