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Original poster

Should we rehome this beagle?

30 replies

AnEasyTarget · 08/10/2018 11:14

Help! We have been offered a 3 month old beagle puppy as the owners are struggling to cope with him.
He's just a baby, but still not toilet trained and is into everything. We have met him several times and our current dog (a pointer) LOVES him! They played for hours and got on really well.
DH then suggested we rehome a beagle or look at getting another dog.
We did have a beautiful old collie who we lost a few years ago-our pointer adored her and was lost when she died.
We'd have to arrange dog-walking as current dog comes to work with DH, not sure they'd be happy with 2 dogs!
We both work, but part time and flexible. The pup would be at home for 5 hours 4 days a week with a dog walker coming in at lunchtime and taking him out. Our pointer would also be there for company.
Its a real head versus heart decision but we feel we could offer a good home. My heart said yes immediately, my head said ah but.

We realise it would be a lot of work for us, we've never had a beagle before but we have experience with terriers, springers, collies and the pointy one! One dog was a rescue I rehabbed into a therapet, so we are fairly experienced.

Thoughts? Are we over-dogging ourself a bit? Be honest please!!

OP posts:
Vallahalagonebutnotforgotten · 08/10/2018 12:43

If you want a second dog make sure you get it from a reputable rescue centre. I would be very wary of just rehoming a dog with issues without rescue backup. In my line of work I see a lot of heartache from this exact situation.

If you are determined to get this dog then get the owners to rehome via a rescue centre.

On another note do you like the beagle howl Grin

Lucisky · 08/10/2018 12:45

I know some people love beagles, but they aren't easy dogs. Difficult to train, scavengers and need a lot of exercise to wear them out (like miles and miles). They do have kind natures, but the hound and hunting blood always seem to win out. We had one years ago and hardly ever saw her as she was so busy escaping and raiding dustbins all the time.
Yes, by all, means, get another dog, even this dog, but they are generally hard work, although of course there are always exceptions.
In what way are the current owners struggling?

Original poster
AnEasyTarget · 08/10/2018 13:35

We have rehomed from a rescue centre in the past-not just dogs, we have a few pets! Involving a rescue centre would cause huge delay as the local ones are full, theres a waiting list.
The issues are young dog issues-we've already done those with the pointer. the current owners are good folk but their dog doesnt get on with the pup. they've struggled to toilet train him, tho he's better.
He's a busy lad but then so is our pointer, into everything and once his nose goes down, he can take off! we have access to a secure paddock and have trained a 'runaway' dog before.
Am well used to the pointer rooing at us, the howling is something we'll get used to!

Has anyone had a beagle? Theres several live near us, they seem mental!
P.s the pointer is a hound and has been known to raid dustbins!! he is well excercised tho!

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 08/10/2018 13:38

If he’s a pup you certainly can’t leave him for five hours at a time. If he’s not toilet trained then he needs to have someone there all the time.

Haberpop · 08/10/2018 13:41

No, I don't think you would be a good match. Five hours a day, four days a week is a long time for him to be alone (even with your existing dog and the dog walker calling in for company), that is five hours a day to reign chaos (because he will) and five hours of mess to come home to.

Original poster
AnEasyTarget · 08/10/2018 13:42

Thanks Wolfie, we would be taking time off work to settle him in and train him. He is used to being left for a few hours, though thats definitely something we need to consider.

OP posts:
AlmaGeddon · 08/10/2018 13:42

The DCs wanted a beagle so I spoke to the vet who said they need to do about 50 miles a day. So decided against!! I have seen happy looking ones on the lead but maybe yours would need an outdoor kennel and a run.

Wolfiefan · 08/10/2018 13:46

If he’s got to three months and isn’t toilet trained then it wouldn’t be a quick fix though.

MrsFoxPlus4 · 08/10/2018 13:48

12 weeks old isn’t unusual for a dog to still be struggling with toilet training & being naughty. We didn’t get our first dog till he was 12 weeks. Rescued one at 6 weeks. & we now have a 10 week old border collie and she’s still wizzing like once a day. Takes time & patience of course puppy’s are difficult

steppemum · 08/10/2018 13:55

if he is already being left for long periods, I am guessing that is why he is not properly toilet trained.

You need to talk to someone who has had beagles as pets.

Original poster
AnEasyTarget · 08/10/2018 13:57

Ha yeah, nope to the outside run! I suspect the issues are more human related as opposed to the dog, the current owners don't really have the time and are used to their placid dog.
Thanks, we really have a lot to think about. We need to make the decision so its right for the dog.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 08/10/2018 13:58

Stupid idea. Would you foster with a view to adopting?

Original poster
AnEasyTarget · 08/10/2018 14:02

Thanks again Wolfie, don't hold back Grin

Yes to fostering, that might be a plan. I know someone who runs a local rescue group who rehome from foster homes.

OP posts:
steppemum · 08/10/2018 14:17

our dog came to us through fostering.
We weren't going to have a dog, so we fostered, so we didn't have to find somewhere for it when we go away etc etc.

4th dog in and we failed as fosterers and adopted him.

Still a bloody pain to find a home when we are away, but really good way of finding a dog that works. All the dogs were nice (well, one was a nightmare, but not her fault) but we didn't want to keep them, then steppedog arrived and we all fell in love.
Only took dh 3 days to come round once the idea was put to him!

Wolfiefan · 08/10/2018 14:25

OP i didn’t mean it was a stupid idea to take the dog!!!!! Blush
I meant my idea of fostering might be a stupid idea. Sorry. Blush

Original poster
AnEasyTarget · 08/10/2018 14:32

No problem Wolfie, don't worry about it! Grin
made me chuckle!

I think fostering might be the way to go about this! More talk with the current owners before any decision is made.

OP posts:
Original poster
AnEasyTarget · 08/10/2018 14:33

Steppemum, we may be foster fails too!

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 08/10/2018 14:38

Sorry again. You are certainly giving it plenty of thought. The biggest issue with beagles I’ve heard of is lack of recall and high energy. By sounds like you could
Cope with that.

MrsRubyMonday · 08/10/2018 14:45

I had a beagle cross. The beagle side made her a thief, she would steal stuff like spoons and bugger off down the garden to her hiding spot. Had to go out every few days and clear it out. Also, she cried constantly. She would be in the same room, everything calm, and she would just whine incredibly loudly for no reason at all. Non stop, for like three hours. Nothing we did stopped it, carried on whether she was on her bed or on our lap, while playing, while doing a training session. Our lab would just look at her like... What are you doing..?

Original poster
AnEasyTarget · 08/10/2018 14:47

Its ok Wolfie, no need to apologise! Flowers

We are definitely thinking this through thoroughly even if we just take him for respite.
We can cope with high energy and dodgy recall-I give you our very bouncy pointer!

OP posts:
steppemum · 08/10/2018 14:52

Ha Ha Wolfie - I thought it was a bit aggressive for you!
Don't see you much on the general dog chat thread these days, how are you?

Wolfiefan · 08/10/2018 15:40

Ha. I had the exact thought “well if they can cope with a pointer!” Grin
Hiya @steppemum I must check back in soon. Busy and health issues. Don’t worry. Me. Not pupster.

MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 08/10/2018 18:43

He is used to being left for a few hours

That’s why he’s not toilet trained. Did they get their current dog as an adult dog? Bit tricky to retrain him not to go indoors. Good luck with that. Grin

adaline · 08/10/2018 21:49

I have a beagle!

He's eight months and into everything. We cannot leave him alone (unless crated) or he'll chew. Every single cupboard has child locks and every door has a baby gate. He can get into the bin, he can open doors - but he's fine because we don't let him have unrestricted access to any part of the house and we lock everything away.

He needs lots of exercise and time to use his hunting instincts. He loves playing find it but isn't remotely interested in fetch! He's easy to train because he's a food magnet but unless I have a treat I'm lucky to even get a "sit" out of him! He's very food orientated and won't do anything unless there's something in it for him.

We can let him off-lead but I only let him off with other dogs at the beach. If he gets a scent, he's gone and there's no way we'd get him back again!

Having said all that he's an amazing dog. Yes, beagles are a lot of work but he's generally calm and obedient. He was top of his puppy class and he's an extremely quick learner - give him cheese or sausage and he'll do absolutely anything. He's amazing with kids and so long as we tire him out (walks and brain games) he's fine.

He goes to daycare while we work though as I don't think it's fair to crate him for long and I would never leave a beagle with run of the house! They're pack dogs and even with company get destructive when they're bored!

Here's a picture of my boy.

Should we rehome this beagle?
Original poster
AnEasyTarget · 09/10/2018 11:38

Aww, Adaline, he's gorgeous!! Our pointer can be a bit like that, puts his nose down and the hound just takes over! He's trained to the whistle tho, knows it means treats! Our plan would be to whistle train this pup too, tho having a secure paddock does help!

We are still working through our options as we know this has to work for the dog, he has to be happy too. currently looking at doggy walkers-we have a lovely lady across from us who often takes the big lad out if we're busy.
Quite excited, we werent actively looking for another dog but it would be fun to have two dogs again. Back to walking them at 5am with a headtorch! Havent told the kids yet, wait till its black and white!

OP posts:
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