At wits end with beagle - advice please!

[Shroomboom]

We really don't know what to do with our 13 month old beagle or how to help him. He's a sweet dog a lot of the time and loves cuddles but has snapped at ds (6) a lot, normally when the dog has something in his mouth.
He chews everything he can get hold of, eg memory card, dishcloth, tinfoil, woolly hats etc etc etc. He's even chewed most of one doorframe. We have baby gates on the kitchen doorways, but he leaps over them from a stand still. He has almost stopped weeing in the house but poos everywhere and then chews it up and drops it around the house.
He has a crate for when he is left on his own (max 3 hours no more than once a week) and when we return he's cocked his leg on the bars so there's wee everywhere. He's very rarely left on his own, and goes to work with dh on the two days I'm out all day. However when we do leave him he barks continuously and the neighbours are starting to get a bit fed up. Apparently he just does not stop.

We really don't know what to do. He's exercised regularly and loves going on runs with dh, but will come back and behave just the same. DC2 is due in 2 months and I'm panicking slightly because we have no way of separating him from the baby - baby gates don't work and if we close the door he barks continuously and chews the door frame until he opens the door. I do not like the idea of him running around the baby, especially if he's got a pooey mouth, or if he's going to snap. He's the most stubborn dog I've ever encountered and has reduced me to tears on a few occasions just due to sheer frustration.

I am desperate for some advice. We do not want to rehome him as I believe a dog is for life, but there has to be some way that we can get on more harmoniously. Please help!

I forgot to say that we have given him loads of toys and chews, all of which end up in the garden. He doesn't like chewing new chews, instead he buries them until they turn black and look rotten and then he brings them back in. Every chew we give him ends up being taken outside, and then he'll come in and take something he shouldn't be chewing

Our Beagle is a nightmare with chewing she still does it now and is nearly 3. She also buries things in the back garden and then digs them up at a later date. It could be seperation anxiety when in the house on his own as Beagles are pack dogs, we have two other dogs and if one is taken without Rosie she just sits behind the front door baying and crying until they return. Rosie dosen't eat her own poo but she does eat other animals if she gets the chance. She is much the same with toys takes rhem all outside then comes back in with half a plant hanging out of her mouth. As for the growling some will say keep taking the things off him until he stops growling and some will say stay away. I stopped one of my other dogs from growling when they had bones by taking it off him and giving it back until you could go near him without him growling. That's what worked for us. Rosie will walk for miles with my husband and comes back as though she hasn't been anywhere, ot could be that he has hit his terrible teens. Sorry if I haven't helped much just wanted to let you know you aren't the only one with a naughty Beagle.

We have a beagle and he was a shocking chewer for his young years - he's now 6 and has thankfully stopped. It was becoming really expensive with all those shoes! He never did the poo eating though .

We had some behaviour issues, different ones - mainly about greed and not responding when called - and the behaviour specialist gave us good tips about clicker training and training with food rewards. This works as he is VERY motivated by food but he is still naughty.

Can I ask how much exercise your beagle gets? I know you said he was walked/run but ours has 5km a day and could do the same again in the evening, but does sleep most of the day.

I would recommend getting a professional to take a look at him - I would be very anxious about a barky growly dog around small children.

I have a beagle to. She is 17 months old and just starting to improve. She was so difficult to house train and I am an experienced dog owner. She also chewed everything,jumped over baby gate on kitchen and howled when alone. Heres what we did to make life bearable! We got an extra tall gate that she cannot jump over. We continued to be patient taking her outside every hour until she finally stopped weeing in the house. We use a kong when we leave her as she is soo greedy and we leave radio on. And we use food to get her to do everything else e.g swap when she has something she shouldn't. Oh and we hide anything that's not to be chewed when she isn't supervised! And put lemon juice on doorframe as she hates the taste. And hide the bin. Lol it's not ideal but it makes life more bearable as we love her to bits

Oh and we got her at 10 months and she has improved so much but beagles are hard work. She is definetly the most difficult dog I've had but also probably the most fun!

Return it sounds like you have the female version of our beagle I was thinking about the extra tall baby gates, but didn't want to fork out for something that he may still be able to hop over. Think I'll order one and see what happens! We did buy a kong for him but he's taken it into the garden. We have about an acre of overgrown jungle out there so finding it is virtually impossible Might have to get another one and try to stop him taking it out! Thanks so much for the suggestions, you have given me a bit of hope!

Crystal, we've already had a professional in, but a few days after she was here I found out I was pregnant and then was very ill for months so it all went to pot. I still have to take things very easy so to be honest he probably doesn't get as much exercise as he should do as I can't take him out at the mo. He spends a lot of time in the garden (very difficult to get him in) and dh takes him on a walk probably 3 times a week and then whenever he goes running, which is maybe once or twice a week, but that can be over 10km. I know it's not the same as a walk but we do take him in the car with us quite a lot, as he is just desperate to be with us all the time.

Tilly, does Rosie seem better when she's with the other dogs? Does she still behave 'badly'? We did have a boxer as well but in May she managed to get onto the road and was killed It's been since then that Scooby has been a nightmare, and I can understand why it's been so tough for him. If I hadn't been pregnant we might well have got another one, but I'm seriously considering it after the baby's born if it means it might make life easier for him. We had two dogs for years so are quite used to it.

Our gate is a pro tech. Think it was about 40 quid and she cannot get over it even though she is very springy! We have hung it a couple of inches off the floor to add even more height!

Okay, will have a look return, thanks

I certainly wouldn't get another dog until you have house trained and generally trained the one you have currently . You really have answered your own question as the root of your dogs problems are lack of exercise . Going out in a large garden is not the equivalent of a walk so at the moment your dog gets out 3/4 times a week when he probably needs at least 1.5/2 hrs exercise a day . Can you get a dog walker ?

Hey OP, it sounds as if your Beagle has separation anxiety - the always wanting to be with your family and constant barking when you leave are signs of distress - I know its frustrating especially when you're so busy but for him its a real anxiety issue. You'll probably need a professional behaviourist to help with this the APBC www.apbc.org.uk/ can advise on a reputable professional.
In terms of chewing etc- unfortunately thats him being a beagle - they're very demanding dogs designed to run for miles and need an awful lot of exercise which is not given can contribute to the frustration. I know its already been suggested but if you don't have time then a dogwalker is a great idea.

These things may help to ease his anxiety and frustration which may be contributing to the snapping. Your concerns about snapping are totally justified, but its important to remember that all dogs will 'warn' before they snap - its important that you and your children can recognise the signs - turning head away, moving away from child, whites of eyes, yawning and lip-licking are all sings that the dog is stressed and uncomfortable with the situation - this handout may help pawsphilippines.weebly.com/behavior-and-training-my-dog-has-bitingaggressive-problems-etc-what-do-i-do.html
(scroll down for a young persons guide to woofs and growls and dog body language)
Its important that children understand that even family pets need chillout time :-)

Good luck!

Thanks so much Dandy, will look into getting a dog walker for when we're at home... Will look at the websites you linked to as well

Hounds are tough and mature later than other breeds good luck

Have not had beagles myself, but agree with a previous poster that your problems are likely to stem, at least in part, from a lack of regular exercise - all my dogs have needed the stimulation of a decent long walk (at least an hour - more like two hours when possible) at least once a day, plus other shorter outings ideally. This is only possible for us to provide as DH works from home and is very flexible in terms of hours. I do wish you all the best OP - you clearly want o make things work with your dog, and I understand your worries with a bay on the way.