Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | I got a new puppy!! :) Here's a pic.

Aaaahhhhh, a beagle!!! My favorite thing in the world (besides my two sons. Ha!) We've had 3 beagles and loved them all.

Do you know what size beagle Rocco is? Many people don't realize there are different size beagles.

The great thing about beagles---- they're sweet and loveable, very laid back and they love people, especially children. And they're easy to care for and bathe.

Check out wwww.beagles-on-the-web.com.

Are you crate training him? If not, I would suggest it. Some people think it's cruel to put them in a "cage," but it really is their security blanket. It is the one place they can go and feel secure. My little beagle just went and crawled in hers on her own. She loves it! I put a towel across the top to give them a feeling of security---kind of like their own little hiding place! And when you're out of town, if they are used to their crate, then they will stay in theirs with no problem for whoever is tending to them.

Crate training will help you with potty training. Don't think of it as punishment (it's not!) and don't think you will have to keep him in it forever. You can gradually give him more freedom as he gets older.

Puppies are like babies. I caution you not to leave him alone when you leave the house (or even get in the shower), because they can quickly get into so many things that can be dangerous. If he chews on a cord, he could electrocute himself. Or he could eat something poisonous or choke on something (even a sock left on the floor). Crating him when you can't watch him is for his own safety. You wouldn't leave a baby or toddler alone in your house when you're away, would you?

Because of their keen sense of smell (airport officials use them to find drugs!), beagles can easily find food. We had to put a baby lock on our cabinet door because one of ours kept getting into the trashcan! One of ours chewed on a poisonous plant and almost died (this costs us $800 at the emergency vet clinic)

And when you take him on a walk, his little nose will be down on the ground constantly (especially on days when the trashcans are on the curb!).

Something else that beagle rescue societies caution beagle owners about is that beagles will run away ----if given the slightest opportunity. They will take off on the scent of a squirrel or rabbit, and before they know it, they are out of the neighborhood and lost for good! It's their hunting instinct.

So please DON'T ever take him outside without putting him on a leash---or you will regret it. A beagle is not the kind of dog that will stay with you in the yard and come back when you call him! No amount of obedience training will teach a beagle to do that.

And beagles are hefty eaters! Many will eat as much as you give them, so figure out how much he needs, and don't give him anymore than necessary---or he will quickly get overweight.

And make sure you give him his monthly heartworm and flea treatment (get this from your vet.) They are expensive, but worth it. You don't want him to get heartworms, because the treatment for it is very painful and expensive!

And last but not least, get him used to everything while he's young (this is called "socializing" in doggie terms). If you don't socialize him when he's a puppy, he will have a hard time adjusting later.

Early on, get him around loud and boisterous children, take him to the pet store or city park to see strangers, walk him on a leash, give him baths and brush his hair, fiddle with his ears, brush his teeth (yep!) ----then he will take all this in stride when he's older.

Tips for potty training---take him to the same spot every time and use the same term so he will know what you want from him. (For instance, say "GO POTTY!" He will learn to do it on command which comes in very handy on cold, rainy nights.) Take him out whenever he wakes up, after playtime, and after he eats. And don't scold him if he wets in the house. This will teach him to be afraid of you. Just act very matter-of-fact and pick him up and take him outside to his spot. And PRAISE him highly (a belly rub and a sweet voice works best!) after he goes where you want him to. Give him a treat when you return inside.

I didn't mean to write you a book on beagle care. I've learned a lot in the past several years from the beagle rescue society that I volunteer with.

Good luck with little Rocco!

Where is he sleeping?

Beaglelover

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