Question posted on the BeagleFaces Facebook page by Carolyn…
Hi there, I also have a question about Beagles and kids. My beagle is 7yrs old.She was a little show dog and then she had litters of pups. I got her from a breeder when she was 3. She is very possessive with me and actually nipped my husband on the face about a year after we got her. She did not bite him but snapped at him catching him on the lip with one of her eye teeth. My neighbour has just had a baby and I would like to spend some time with the baby. How should I go about this?
Any good advice out there?
January 20, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Physical punishment is never acceptable. It can either depress your pup or put the already defensive pup in an aggressive state. Treat them like children. Have a designated “time out” room, such as a bathroom, to put your pup in for five minutes when she shows aggressive behavior. I do believe in giving a firm no and saying “bad puppy, no!” because they need to hear that negative tone to understand that aggressive behavior is not encouraged, and being in a confied area is punishment. Do not put them outside as punishment, because that’s where they go to the bathroom, and don’t put them in your bedroom or they will confuse the time out zone with a comfy are they may sleep in, and they won’t think it’s a punishment at all. when she encounters new people, immediately take control. Snap her out of it by giving her a command, like sit, then give her a treat. She in submissive mode at that point. When confronted with a stranger, do this, then talk to her in a sweet voice so that she is calm and kows the invaded enviornment (which is how dogs see it) is a friendly one. Give her another treat for her good behavior when she doesn’t snap at the newcomer. Hound dogs are fairly easy to train, and they love to make their owners happy. I have a beale myself so I am experienced with this. Oh, and never let your dog “win”. If she doesn’t obey, stay consistent. If she oesn’t listen, keep calling her name to get her attention, then call out the command, and keep doing it until she does it.
January 20, 2012 at 3:32 am
The are much kinder ways to train a dog than smacking and a thump on the nose. This is terrible advcie. Find a good trainer who uses positive reinforcememnt methods and I’m sure you will be fine.
January 19, 2012 at 9:24 pm
I have always found a quick thump on the nose immediately after she does something wrong works well. It MUST include a firm ‘NO’ or ‘NO BITE’. Eventually the words are enough. Do not yell, just be firm. You don’t need to ‘hit’ the dog, just a thump with with your finger.Also, it appears the dog thinks she is #2 in the house, that is what you are fixing. She needs to understand that she is not Alpha, but Omega.
January 19, 2012 at 8:52 pm
For the immediate present time, I would put her outside when you are visiting or babysitting the baby. If it is too cold outside, get a baby gate (or two, depending on the floor plan of your house) and ‘lock’ her into a room while the baby is over. If she is too loud while this is happening, you can get a squirt bottle and fill it with water. Spray her (like cats) when she gets too loud! The water is harmless but most dogs don’t like it – our beagles definitely don’t, and they catch on VERY quickly!
January 19, 2012 at 8:07 pm
Leave the dog at home while you go next door to visit the baby…. just a thought
January 19, 2012 at 8:01 pm
I really don’t think you should EVER hit your dog…as violence breeds violence and will only make the dog more aggressive in the long run as it will instinctively try to protect itself by biting back. If the dog has bitten before though I do suggest a professional trainer before you let it near a child. Beagles as a breed are generally very gentle and loving so it seems unusual to have one who bites, im sure that a professional trainer could get to the root of the problem though and in the meantime there are lots of websites out there. Good luck x
January 19, 2012 at 7:18 pm
You have got about ten seconds from when your Beagle effes uyp to make him think he’sgoing to die, Smacks, yelling, whatever, in those ten seconds after he’s done wrongf, make him think the world is ending for him. Then become normal, as if nothing had happened at all.
January 19, 2012 at 7:00 pm
If you don’t train your dog properly (and, as a Beagle lover, I say this for Beagle’s especially…), then your dog will train you. The dog isn’t being “mean” or “bad” by biting, it is just acting instinctively and trying to communicate. Yet beagle doesn’t know that you don’t speak “canine”… so you need to teach beagle proper manners if it is to share a home with people.
January 19, 2012 at 6:55 pm
My personal opinion is that it is never ok for your family dog t bite another member of the family. I suggest a good trainer.