There are many people in the world who have questions about beagles. Here we will try to try to answer some of the most common questions. Click on a question below to show the answer (and click again to hide it).
Feel free to e-mail us with any questions or comments you might have. We really do appreciate your questions and comments, so keep them coming. Also, it is important to note that we do not have all the answers. If you have something to add, please feel free to let us know.
We have a 15 month old beagle named Timothy. He is a food thief, finding food when there is none. As a result, he is very fat. Please help with an eating plan. Also he is very rude and arrogant but we would not trade him for anything.
Firstly, you need to establish some rules. You might want to enroll in obedience school to establish that you are the leader of the pack. This will help with the arrogance and rudeness. Second, stop the extra eating as you could cause him lifelong problems. Cut back his food to the amount he would be eating if he were the right weight. If Tim weighs in at 20 pounds and he should weigh 15 pounds, feed him the package suggestion for a 15 pound dog. Cut out the treats - or buy low calorie treats and cut way back on when you give them. Treats have calories also and you may be doubling his calorie intake! Talk to your vet. I am assuming you have had all his shots and have had him neutered.
Please take care of the weight issue now while it is easy. This can cause serious issues for Tim.
We've had our beagle for about a year and a half. All implications were that he had been mistreated in some way prior to being rescued. He started out pretty timid. We have got him to be more self assured although he does get frightened by a loud voice or other threatening actions (all unintentional). The behavior question involves aggressive behavior. Lately, when we have company or meet someone while walking he will growl and occasionally grab the person's pant cuff. This has happened a few times and we would like to end that quickly. Are there any suggestions?
While we are able to advise on a wide range of behavior problems by email, we are unable to offer help with those involving aggression because it is impossible to offer advice without a one-on-one consultation to establish the often complicated cause for the behavior. Advice given from an inaccurate diagnosis could prove harmful to yourself, your dog or other people and is not a risk that should be taken.
Please seek the advice of your vet to ensure that the problem is not being caused by a medical condition and then ask for a referral to a reputable local pet behaviorist. Aggression is much easier to resolve in its early stages, don't wait until your dog has bitten someone to get help. Two websites you can visit to find out a behaviorist near you are https://www.iaabc.org or https://dacvb.org/about-us/diplomates/diplomate-directory. Please make sure the behaviorist has worked with dogs with aggression issues. Also make sure the person you select is not aggressive towards your dog—aggression begets aggression.
In the meantime, if appropriate, please consider muzzling your dog in the situations where you or other people and dogs may be at risk from being bitten. Aggression is a very complex behavioral issue and, if not managed or modified, can escalate and either an adult, child or a dog can be seriously hurt. Your dog's behavior sounds like it is becoming a habit.
