I'm looking into getting a beagle this summer or so when I get an apartment. My roommate is allergic to cats so I can't take mine with me, but we both agree that a small dog would be perfect.
I've looked around and think that a beagle is the ideal pup for me. Small, but not a yappy dog; intelligent and easy to care for; fun and playful; loyal and loving. Our apartment won't be huge, but I'd get to take him outside on walks and to a park fairly regularly.
I've never had a dog before, so I'd like to know as much as I can before getting one. I've done some research online, but want to know what real people have experienced. Just tell me everything!
Anything I might need to know? Anything at all, tell me!
I used to have a beagle.. :cry: they're good dogs with lots of personality but u gotta keep em tied or in a kennel they like to run...alot..and give them alot of toys and stuff to keep them busy because they tend to chew if they get bored I'm waiting for my parents grieving to end before i get another dog though
Do you think it'll be okay inside the apartment while I'm at classes so long as I provide it with an abundance of toys?
We didnt have a problem leaving Oatey inside as long as we gave him alot of attention once we got back. Leaving the tv or radio on helped too. We did go through 1 pair of sneakers, my riding gloves, a hair brush and a screw drive while he was a puppy though so jus be prepared for little accidents
My girlfriends roommate has a beagle and I hate that dog. It has detachment issues and crys whenever she leaves, it will shimmy its kennel out the living room, down the hallway and to her door. They do chew things that is for sure, Cooper made his way into g/f's roommates room and her bed spread was laying on his kennel. He tugged it thru the slats and destroyed it, thats the 2nd one he has destroyed. Sometimes he will piss in his kennel and get covered in it, SO GROSS! Nice dog but too stupid and hyper for its own good. I've got a border collie mix, 45lbs, Blew. He is the best dog I've ever had. He is hyper but very chill @ the same time. I can leave him inside for 12 hours straight and he wont touch a thing, never had one accident. I had him house broken in 1 day. I am partial tho.
-ash
I've got siberian husky and chocolate lab. I would definately suggest getting a dog that can be let go off leash. My husky will run away but my lab sticks by my side, it's a major major pain in the butt to not be able to let my husky off lead @ a dog park or on a hike. It not only takes enjoyment away from the hike but you feel really bad because your dog is just itching to stretch it's legs, and you have to keep scolding the dog for pulling you.
Not to mention that, but I also have to be extremely careful about doors. If my lab manages to escape when a non dog person comes into the house, he runs to my jeep and sits and waits to go somewhere. My husky escapes and I'm running around the neighborhood trying to sneek up on him because if he sees me, he thinks it's a game and he likes to play. I'm not even going to mention cars and the thoughts that go through my head the few times my husky has gotten out. And it will happen (your dog getting out), no matter how careful you are. Beagles are hunting dogs so once they pick up a scent, they are as focused on following it as you are on the track. Know what I mean?
I have some friends that have beagles and they are cool dogs. Very intellegent though so you'll need to occupy their mind or they will terrorize your apt.
One other thing, unless you have lots of free time for about 2 months, don't get a puppy. They need to be let out a lot. I'm talking like every 20 minutes for the first few days, then every couple hrs for the next few weeks.
Look into crate training as well. It's not cruel and is a great way to train your dog. I crate trained both of my dogs and after a few months, you can start letting them out when you run to the store, then for the 1st half of the day while you are gone and so on. If you let them be free from day one when you are gone, they are going to poop and pee and chew everything because they don't know it's wrong. By the time you get home to correct them, it's too late and they don't know what you are upset over.
If you go on trips are take long rides often, you can pretty much kiss them goodbye for a few years. Plus you have to find somewhere to kennel your dog when you do go on vacation.
That is most of the bad stuff I can think of, and with that said, there is no way I can put the good things in text. Dogs can (and should) change your life for the better.
Put as much effort into picking out a dog as you would picking out a new motorcycle.
Not sure where you are going to get your dog from but I would stay away from the mall pet stores that sell puppies and get one from a breeder. An even better way to get a new pet is to get one from the Human Society. Alot of good pets end up there that are people friendly and already house broken.
My first puppy came from the pet store had kennel koff and parvo ( I was very sad when I had to have him put down but his siezures kept getting worse).
The one I got from the breeder was perfectly healthy. I noticed that the family that was breeding the dogs really seemed to care about them and wasn't in it for the money. While I was there the lady actually refused to sell to one man. And the puppies were being kept indoors and were already paper trained.
My next dog I'm going to get from the Human Society/ pet rescue.
Make sure you get a good vet. Check around not all vets are the same.
Quote from: blue05twin on April 05, 2006, 06:59:17 AM
Not sure where you are going to get your dog from but I would stay away from the mall pet stores that sell puppies and get one from a breeder. An even better way to get a new pet is to get one from the Human Society. Alot of good pets end up there that are people friendly and already house broken.
My first puppy came from the pet store had kennel koff and parvo ( I was very sad when I had to have him put down but his siezures kept getting worse).
The one I got from the breeder was perfectly healthy. I noticed that the family that was breeding the dogs really seemed to care about them and wasn't in it for the money. While I was there the lady actually refused to sell to one man. And the puppies were being kept indoors and were already paper trained.
My next dog I'm going to get from the Human Society/ pet rescue.
Make sure you get a good vet. Check around not all vets are the same.
My parents used to breed cats, so I know how much the breeders care for their animals. We always made sure our cats were healthy before selling them to someone. However, breeders are expensive, so I won't be able to get a dog from there.
I am going to adopt one from the Humane Society or similar so that I can save it from being put down.
Please dont get a dog and make him stay in an apartment. That is just too small of a space for any dog, they need room to run and play. You need to wait tell your a house owner. Its just cruel to have a dog in an apartment. :nono:
If you must get a dog get one thats practically a cat. You know what I mean one of those little fufu dogs. They seem to be alright with just laying around all day
I've got a beagle, got him a little over a year ago. He's a great dog, very personable. He loves sleeping under the covers in bed and sitting in your lap. The down side though, he loves to chew. I'm hoping he'll grow out of it, but for now, he chews anything. We crate him when he's left alone and he'll pull anything he can into his crate and maul it. It took a while to potty train him too, we were able to train our other dogs just by crating them, the beagle though would just pee and lay down in it. Oh, yeah, he also likes to follow the others dogs around the yard and eat their warm "leavings". I've even caught him chewing on frozen ones....yuck!
Quote from: flyingbeagle71 on April 05, 2006, 08:45:20 AMOh, yeah, he also likes to follow the others dogs around the yard and eat their warm "leavings". I've even caught him chewing on frozen ones....yuck!
My husky does that too. Don't worry he'll grow out of it after a year or two. Now mine only eats the Lab's if he can catch it in midair.
Which reminds me, my Husky woke me up this morning by licking me, and I tend to sleep with my mouth open. Gross.
Just do your research and you should be okay. I got my dog (an American Eskimo) when I was living in an apartment. It wasn't the ideal situation for a puppy or any dog but crate training him worked really well. A friend of mine has a beagle and his only beef is that the dog likes to run (like pastrami said) and really really needs attention. That's not just a puppy thing either, he's 3 now and still going strong. It's funny how stereotypical certain breeds are and how predictable their manerisms can be (there are always the exceptions, of course).
Quote from: LPC2104 on April 05, 2006, 10:00:22 AM
Which reminds me, my Husky woke me up this morning by licking me, and I tend to sleep with my mouth open. Gross.
That's nothing, Kori woke me up once humping the shaZam! out of the stuffed tigger that my brother left in my room. Now that was f*cked up! :laugh:
I'm not a huge fan of beagles myself. They're cute as hell, but they're fiercly pack oriented, so they can have seperation anxiety problems, and are just kind of obnoxious, I find. But that's just my uninformed opinion.
There are several websites out there about apartments and dogs:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/apartment.htm
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/apart.html
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/top-dog-breeds-for-apartment-life/page1.aspx
Oh yea Get an italian poodle. They are super fun to torture ... and after a few times ... they get the idea and they growl at you ... man they are so much fun ... like white painted rats wihtout all that agility ... Like after it gets all growly etc ... put the icon gloves on your hand and put them it its cage ... it will bite you ... then catch its lower jaw and flip it over and crush its skull into the ground at the same time ... of course you'd have to like tug its hair out and yank its tail a few times before it gets all mad at you ... but hey its all part of the job ... It thinks its almighty dog when its actually smaller than your foot ... Of course it will yap all day and pee all over ... whihc makes people that own them want to put a hit on it like my welder did last year ... till his wife found out ... then she gave it away to his brother, who let it run about and it got hit by a car ... now where is the fun in that ...
So moral of the story ... dont let dogs get hit by cars, torture them and get a discount from the owner and pass the savings on to you guys. O0 ...
Cool.
Srinath.
For the puppy thing... I'll probably end up getting a young one, not puppy, but young. I'll be at home most of the summer (except for the one week in NC) so I can spend plenty of time with him/her. We've got a (decent) sized back area for him to run around at, and I can always chicken wire off the deck rails so he doesn't climb out.
I don't want a yappy lap dog at all. I hate the damn things. I figured a beagle was a good choice because it was small, yet intelligent and friendly. The cuteness factor is there too, though.
What is involved in crate training or potty training one?
When I have him in the apartment I'd give him plenty of attention. I don't go out to parties much (if ever) and could easily spend time with my pup instead of drunken frat boys. Plus, if he/she needs to run then I'd go running with him/her whenever was needed. There are lots of great places to go around here like parks and stuff where I could take it, so that's not a worry for me.
Beagles are good Dogs, apart from being a bit smelly.
If you get one take some time to give it some training for basic obedience.
Most important rule is never let them off the lead where they can run away, cause you'll end up chasing that dog for hours & they've got no road sense at all. They will chew stuff, pull covers off cars, hump stuffed toys, pillows, ummmm..... any thing.
They are intelligent, but also headstrong, especially when they get onto a scent.
So if I take my beagle to the dog park I can't let it off the leash?
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on April 05, 2006, 11:07:20 PM
So if I take my beagle to the dog park I can't let it off the leash?
Unless it'll come back when you call it. From experience & what I've been told the little beggers will just run & run & run. :mad:
Quote from: bubba zanetti on April 06, 2006, 12:00:06 AM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on April 05, 2006, 11:07:20 PM
So if I take my beagle to the dog park I can't let it off the leash?
Unless it'll come back when you call it. From experience & what I've been told the little beggers will just run & run & run. :mad:
That's sad. I'll do my best to train it to come when I call then.
Anyone know of any other breeds that fit my criteria?
Whats the largest dog they will allow in your apartment? Border Collie would be good, my neighbor had one very nice dog. Here is a website that suggest didfferent breeds for apartment living ( not sure about the website just did a quick search)
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/apartment.htm
Go to the pound and look at some dogs. You'll likely see a small dog that catches your eye. Don't corner yourself into one breed, and don't buy from a breeder. There are tens of thousands of dogs and cats out there that need homes as it is. Why put more out on the street?
The best guard dog I've ever had wandered into the hangar while I was working and stole my lunch. She escaped from the local pound and was leading a pack of wild dogs two and three times her size. She never needed house training, and she's a natural guard dog.
My other dog is a little poodle. He got dumped outside my shop at 2am in a blizzard. I heard yapping outside and opened the door. Damn poodle looks at me, walks inside, sits down, goes to sleep. He's a suprisingly quiet poodle unless he gets excited. Talk about a CHICK MAGNET! When I put that little poodle on a leash and go up town you'd think I was a rock star. :icon_mrgreen:
One little thing: NEVER hit the dog, and don't use one of those electric collars. All you're going to do is take the soul right out of the dog. He won't look at you as a friend, he'll look at you as a necessary evil. Training a dog takes a lot of patience, a lot of love, and a lot of time.
Quote from: GeeP on April 06, 2006, 08:49:59 AMTraining a dog takes a lot of patience, a lot of love, and a lot of time.
Bacon helps, too.
hey brian...what apartment are you moving to? avoid crossing place/riverside at all cost :nono:
Alpha,
I'll ask sort of a dumb question, is your roommate allergic to YOUR cat?
I knew a girl that was pretty significantly allergic to cats, but she spent a couple of days with us and said that until she saw the cat, she didn't even know we had one.
This is not one of the stupid naked nonallergenic cats, it's just a shorthair fully faired one that wandered up to the house 17 years ago. Different cats have different dander, hair and levels of cleanliness.
If they are not deathly allergic, let them meet the cat, away from home so you don't have cross contamination from the others in the house. If all goes well, everybody can live happily ever after.
Quote from: ninja_steve on April 06, 2006, 04:49:46 PM
hey brian...what apartment are you moving to? avoid crossing place/riverside at all cost :nono:
We're staying away from Riverside. I'd rather not get shot, thank you very much. I think we're going to look around Speedway or Duval area, somewhere around 50th street? My roomie doesn't have a commuter tool, so he needs a bus/shuttle back and forth from campus.
Quote from: Codger on April 06, 2006, 05:41:29 PM
I'll ask sort of a dumb question, is your roommate allergic to YOUR cat?
Yeah, he is unfortunately.
check out
jack russell terrier - fun active little dogs
shepherd collie mix (if you can find one) - this was by far the nicest, most friendly dog we have ever had, and most people had ever met, it was a great pet. They can be a bit bigger becuase of the shepherd in them, but generally they're much smaller than normal shepherds due to the collie.
you really should not get a dog till you have a house,i have a boxer and she is the best dog i ever had worth every penny of the 450.00 i paid for it ,but i have a back yard to leave her in during the day,if you are not home alot the dog will suffer by not getting out side enough,but dogs are great for meeting girls at the beach or the park. :thumb:
Yeah, but here's the thing. I don't exactly "go out" much. I'm either in class or in my room usually. That's the reason why I think It'll be okay in the apartment because I'll be there most of the time (only a few hours of class per day).
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on April 09, 2006, 09:22:13 PM
Yeah, but here's the thing. I don't exactly "go out" much. I'm either in class or in my room usually. That's the reason why I think It'll be okay in the apartment because I'll be there most of the time (only a few hours of class per day).
Do you want to get a dog to force you to get out more?
Dogs make terrible house cats, they want to do things on a daily basis and need attention outdoors.
Quote from: mike_mike on April 09, 2006, 09:26:52 PM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on April 09, 2006, 09:22:13 PM
Yeah, but here's the thing. I don't exactly "go out" much. I'm either in class or in my room usually. That's the reason why I think It'll be okay in the apartment because I'll be there most of the time (only a few hours of class per day).
Do you want to get a dog to force you to get out more?
Dogs make terrible house cats, they want to do things on a daily basis and need attention outdoors.
I've got a cat. He is fun sometimes, but kinda boring. I wouldn't mind being outside more, though. It'll get me into shape, at least.
Alpha, Kalee has a beagle, Zoe. She's a wonderful dog but you really muct be prepared for a number of things...primarilly being the dog will be a leash dog, a "beigh" dog, and a very energetic dog. Once Zoe is off leash, she's off into the wild blue without a care in the world. She's scared us a couple times running in front of cars when she'd gotten loose. She's very smart, though, so in the confines of the home or the yard she's very well behaved. Beagles will bark a lot...everything moving and making noise is quary and they will let you know "they've caught onto something"...which makes them not suited for appartments and "quiet" communities. They are very energetic and hyper, especially if they spend any amount of time couped up and they'll eagerly use up a couple miles worth of jogging without getting really warmed up. They do NOT appreciate being left alone in the yard or house.
As for coming when they're called...they will if enclosed and not preoccupied. Taking a beagle to a dog park isn't a "bad idea"...but it might tend to be a hassle because you WILL have to go get him.
As for other breeds...I wouldn't suggest any working or hunting dog for appartment life. There's a number of mastiffs that would suit appartment life, but they'll tend to be large and "aloof". A lot of spitz dogs might suit as well, but again, for the most part, they're very aloof and tend to be dog aggressive.
If you DO decide on a beagle, I can get you a show-winning bloodline for a good price.
Go to www.chazhound.com/forums and ask there. Some of them are fanatical zealots, but they all have a good grasp of what they're talking about.
As for the husky/lab guy...if you want to let your husky run, tie them together. Give them a 4ft tether and let them run somewhere. Works especially well if the lab is teh dominant one. I do this with my two huskies all the time...one is very responsive to commands and comes and stays when called, the other is a recent adoptee and hasn't learned the commands propperly yet. If you tether them and need them to come back or stay, call the lab and they'll lead one another back. You should really also work on your commands when the husky is off leash and make it known when is a time to play and when is a time for business...it seems your dog isn't trained propperly and remedying that situation is likely the best thing you could ever do for him.
Dude Mak. I was totally going to name my beagle Zoe if it was a girl. Dayum.
So no other breed suggestions? I'll look into the collies and the like, and see what else my roommate and I think will work best :thumb:
Thanks for the good info!
Quote from: GeeP on April 06, 2006, 08:49:59 AMOne little thing: NEVER hit the dog, and don't use one of those electric collars. All you're going to do is take the soul right out of the dog. He won't look at you as a friend, he'll look at you as a necessary evil.
Not really trying to start a debate here, but all of my dogs get a spanking when they're bad. Knowing the difference between a spanking and a beating isn't exactly something you can trust everyone to know, but some form of physical deterent isn't always bad. You'll be very hard pressed to find anyone that thinks or convince anyone that my dogs are soulless or that they look at me as anything resembling "evil".
Ultimately, all dogs react different to different methods of training and punishement and no particular method is 100%. No form of "posative reinforcement" is going to have much of an effect on Makenzie (my eldest), a spanking puts an end to the problem (typically permanently). My newest adoptee tends to fair well of posative reinforcement.
Alpha, collies are bigger with more excercise requirements. They're herding dogs. Border collies and small sheperds will "herd" anything...cows, sheep, people, cats, ducks, children and even cars (attempt). They were bred to be used all day without needing long breaks and the breeding was successful. Boundless energy...off the walls energy.
If you start leaning toward collies and sheperds, then do look at the australian cattle dog. They are very cute as pups (look like little bears), they're very loving and they're described as "velcro dogs" due to their desire to go EVERYWHERE with you from the kitchen to the bathroom. You'll have to make a lot of personal time for them but it will pay off in companionship. They're very intellegent, as well. Awesome dogs.
I have been and always will be a huge fan of both huskies and wolf hybrids. Makenzie is actually a 90/10 grey wolf hybrid. My newest, Buddy, is an Alaskan husky. Makenzie is a combination of aloof and "velcro"...he likes to keep my within his sight or at least earshot, but he has seldom feels obligated to be right beside me. He was by far the easiest dog I've ever trained and he takes to other dogs really well. I had to get onto him a few nights ago for some food aggression...something that promptly ended...I think that's the first time I've punished him for anything in years. Makenzie hasn't been demanding of excercise but he needs it...he gets chubby if not ran, but he doesn't care. He's just as content running outside after cows and bunnies as he is lying on the porch in the shade.
Buddy is my adoptee. He spent the first week or so with me being "velcro" but he's grown out of it slightly. If I'm not in eye or earshot, though, Makenzie needs to be or he cries (he has some abandonment issues). He's been very eager to learn and he's very smart and willing to please that I'm baffled someone just let him wander off. He is demanding of excercise, though. He not only needs it, but he wants it and loves it. He's a runner and absolutely loves to run. The only way I get him excercised thoroughly is by either letting them out in the yard with Zoe or tethering him to Makenzie and letting them both boogy.
I can tell you that if you run with a husky variety you're taking a 75/25 shot in the dark chance in favor of NOT having a dog that's aloof and willing to loaf around. There's the odd exception, but likely not going to be a good idea for apartment living. Hybrids, with a high wolf percentage, have a tendency to be den-critters...they like being home and not far from it and have a good chance of being lazy dogs with the abillity to excercise (as opposed to the opposite). However, they require VERY special handling and needs and a tremendous amount of attention until they're about 9 months old....so it's really hard for me to make many suggestions.
Seriously, though...sign up at www.chazhound.com/forums and ask...they see these questions every day and you'll get a ton of feedback.
Quote from: makenzie71 on April 09, 2006, 09:36:23 PMAs for the husky/lab guy...if you want to let your husky run, tie them together. Give them a 4ft tether and let them run somewhere. Works especially well if the lab is teh dominant one. I do this with my two huskies all the time...one is very responsive to commands and comes and stays when called, the other is a recent adoptee and hasn't learned the commands propperly yet. If you tether them and need them to come back or stay, call the lab and they'll lead one another back. You should really also work on your commands when the husky is off leash and make it known when is a time to play and when is a time for business...it seems your dog isn't trained propperly and remedying that situation is likely the best thing you could ever do for him.
That is a great idea about hooking the dogs. I most definitely will do that.
My husky isn't trained properly. I spent the 1st 6 months of his life training him (consistantly) and improvement wasn't what I had hoped so I sent him to doggy school because I'm a huge believer any dog can be trained, you just have to find it's niche. They sent him back. He was too distracting and the other dogs would follow his lead, and he wouldn't respond to correction. I still kinda laugh when I think my dog was kicked out of obedience school. He's very headstrong. Here is a quick example of our early years.
I hate when dogs get in people's faces for food and stuff like that. One of the first things I do is teach what is the dogs and what is not, plus it helps establish the pack position. I get on my knees put a piece of food (non dog) in front of me on the floor. I wait until the dog catches wind and comes over to check it out. Dog goes for it and I'll correct with a "no, bad dog". And we repeat, usually I'll stand after the first few times. I'll give him a little smack on the nose after 3 strikes so he knows I mean business. We did this for 4 months straight for 30 minutes a day. Know what my dog learned? Only take the food when people aren't looking and if they catch you, save time by not chewing and swallow whole before they can get you and put you in your den. Also it helps to squish your face because you're probably going to catch one on the nose. This stopped when he hit 3 1/2.
I wouldn't feel comfortable attempting to train him in an uncontrolled setting where he can outrun me. He is extremely smart and is great when the leash is on him. Won't pull too hard, comes when I tell him to. Once he sees the leash is in my hand and he's free, he's gone. I have a fenced in area where I take him and he's alright there. Won't come to me unless I have a treat for him, and then it's only 50% of the time.
He has gotten better in the last few years, he won't jump on people anymore, he typically leaves food alone. He actually responds to "no", which is an absolute blessing. Some house dogs aren't meant to be let run free and I think Maverick (and alpha huskies in general) are one of them.
If you have any tips I'd love to hear them. I don't put the blame on the dog and I know even if I've done everything I can do, it's still possible there is someway to train him that he'll respond to. I'd love to let him explore when we are hiking. He isn't a bad dog at all but he isn't an angel either. Here he is. Even in the picture, he kinda has that effe you look to him.
(http://img.groundspeak.com/cache/log/5b33d8fe-c6ab-4c54-b6ba-5c31a821e508.jpg)
He's gorgeous!
Yeah huskies have a tendency to be very head-strong...from what I've read, especially with what the AKC has been encouraging with them. Persisitance and consistancy will win over in the end, as you're noticing.
I wouldn't begin to know where to telll you to start with training him, though. Buddy is my first adult husky trainee. Luckily he's not very strong willed or anything...he's actually really eager to please me. You can hit up that chaz forum I posted links to and ask them for tips...I'm sure they'd love to help. My only suggestion is to maybe look into a 2 hour 1-on-1 session with a trainer for some brief, distraction free education for both you and the dog.
Yeah Alpha we've had several border collies and I def wouldnt recommend one that'll be living in an apartment. They can be hyper and are very very intelligent and get themselves in trouble alot.
Like it has been said, beagles bark a lot. In an apartment, they willl probably bark at anyone walking down the hall. Probably a good way to piss off your neighbors.