Getting a beagle!!

[Commissar]

First let me start off by saying this will be my first dog on my own, my parents have owned shih tzu's for several years when I lived there, but I have not had a dog since I moved out. I went last thursday to the local humane shelter and found a really cute 2 year old female beagle named Lexi. I wasn't that interested in her until I got her out to play. There were little kids there, probably around 5 or under, and she was great with them. She never barked, not even in the cage when every other dog was. She was very playful, and seemed to be very respectful to her surroundings. No chewing, did not grab at anything she wasn't supposed to, no jumping up on people unless she was invited.... Well I thought it over for a couple days and decided I can't let her pass. I plan on picking her up a week from Tuesday if the shelter will let me (I have to be out of town next weekend, and don't want to pass her on to someone else right away!). What can I expect when I bring her home? It will be a completely new environment, quiet, open..... She has been kennel trained, but not housebroken yet. Any suggestions on that? I have searched for some, but can never hear enough. Also a question on getting her fixed, how long is the process, and how long is the recovery? Should I schedule it for a friday so I will be home with her all weekend, or would she be fine if it was done during the week? I typically work 7-5, and after that she would be free to run.

One last thing, what should I have at my house when she gets there. I know the shelter provides dog food, and a leash. I have read that a 30" kennel is a good size for these dogs, and I plan on picking up bowls, an outside leash, a few toys, and a bed for her kennel. Until I feel comfortable leaving her out, she will be sleeping in her kennel. After that I will get her a bed and put it in whatever room she wants. What are your thoughts on the bowls that sit higher off the ground, worth the extra $$?

Edit:
I am picking her up next Tuesday!!!! Here she is!

[Kade]

Sounds like you've done a lot of research. Congrats on your decision!

A kennel is definitely a good idea. Also, getting her on a Friday is a great idea, too. You can spend the weekend bonding.

Cesar Millan (not everybody's favorite person, but not all of his advice is controversial, LOL) recommends taking the dog for a walk around the neighborhood before you bring it inside your home -- it will be a little tired and in a more receptive and quiet mindset.

I know with puppies, you take them directly to the bathroom location and let them go to the bathroom before they get to explore the house...

If she's recovering from a spay, that will affect her activity level at first, too. Maybe they can do the procedure and have her recovery scheduled so she's had a couple of days before you take her home?

Good luck! I'm sure someone will come in with more info.

[Jamilupine]

Congrats on your decision! I think beagles are one of the most loving breeds! Personal opinion of course.

Lets see what I can answer in all of your questions!

You definately want a kennel, 30" is great, that's what I got Lucy. I would introduce her to the kennel immeadiately with lots of good stuff - treats, food, toys, etc. The kennel will be usefull while you are doing house breaking with her. Do you know much about crate training? I used (or am using?) it with Lucy, and house breaking is going pretty smoothly.

As for spaying, most spays now-a-days only take a day. You drop them off in the morning and pick them up in the evening. My understanding is that the humane society will want to spay the dog before you take her home...at least that is how they do it out here. In that case, expect the dog to be sore and sluggish the first day after surgery. The second day was mostly spent sleeping as well. The third and fourth days, Lucy was itching to get running! I'd probably do it over the weekend, but I'm paranoid about things happening when I'm gone! So, hopefully that helps answer that question.

I've never adopted an adult dog before or introduced them into a house hold. When I introduced my second cat to my first cat, I let them sniff through the door for an afternoon, then let them establish territory around the house on thier own. With the dog, I let her explore around from day one, including around the cats. So, unfortunately I don't have much experienced advice to help you with the introduction. I like Kade's idea though of walking around the neighborhood first.

Get lots of toys. I'd reccomend a Kong for sure. Stay away from rawhides as eating them is bad for dogs. Lucy ate hers in a heart beat. Also, I reccomend some sort of toy basket to help your new dog understand what's hers and what's yours. Lucy has a toy basket and I have a shoe basket. If the shoes are on the ground, she plays with them. If they are in the shoe basket - she doesn't dare. She gladly takes her toys out of her toy box and plays with them all over the house! I think the distinction really helped her know whats hers and what's mine.

Any other questions? I just want to add that beagles, being hunting dogs, require a lot of exercise. Lucy goes for about 2 hours of walks/play times a day. The more exercise your new dog gets, the less likely it will be that she destroys your stuff out of boredom.

Have fun and post some pictures when you get her home!

[Commissar]

Well the humane shelter told me she was already crate trained. How long should she be able to hold it in there? I am usually gone from 7-5, sometimes I run later at work. Will she be fine with this? I will ease her out of the crate, let her rome the laundry room for a while when I start feeling comfortable, then eventually she will have the entire house. BUT, it is a brand new home and I am very nervous about her ruining the carpet, so it will be a long time before she gets the run of the house! How long did it take to housebreak your puppy? I have heard both extremes on this with beagles.

As far as local pet stores, who has the best prices on the essential items. Does Wal-Mart or Meijer have better prices, or do pet stores and if so which ones? It would be nice to buy everything all at the same place.

Pictures will definately follow!

[Jamilupine]

Lucy is pretty well house trained, but she is only five months old and I don't expect her to hold it out of the crate for more than a couple hours. In the crate, she can hold it about 4 hours during the day, and she easily sleeps 8 hours through the night. I'm not sure what to say in terms of an adult...

I prefer to buy my stuff at pet stores. I think places like wal-mart MAY have better prices on some items, but pet stores have a wider variety.

[Cassiepeia]

Basically your, exceptionally active, dog is going to be on it's own (possibly crated or locked in a laundry at first) for 10 or more hours a day? I hope she has a overabundance of toys, kongs, raw meaty bones etc... to keep her occupied. As well as a huge amount of exercise before you leave work and after you get home. Because otherwise you're going to have problems.

I don't mean to sound critical...I just think it's important you understand how long she (a pack animal) will be on her own and how that can be a problem for a dog that is as active as a beagle.

Cass.

[Jamilupine]

I have to agree with Cass. Lucy gets a minimum of two hours exercise a day - out of the house. That doesn't include all the time she spends running around my house and patio area chasing invisable stuff! Beagles are very active and yours will be alone for a long time during the day. She very easily may become bored and destructive.... However, if you provide her with enough exercise before you leave for work and when you get home, as well as some toys for while you are gone, I think you can manage. I think you are making the right choice to get an adult rather than a puppy though, becuase a puppy definately can't be left home alone that long!

[Commissar]

I know I will be gone for a good period of time a day, I work. Are you saying no one else that owns a non-destructive beagle works a normal work week? I am an engineer and single, I work about a 1/2 hour from home, work 5 days a week. After that I am home, I am 25 and still have energy to burn. There are parks near by and I plan on taking her there quit often depending on weather. My parents have the same situation with a shih-tzu (as far as kenneling when they are at work) and have never had any problems. I also have some friends with a rat terrier who is kenneled for about the same amount of time due to both of the people working. I know the dog types are different, but when I am home, she will be my life and she will get excercise! And when she becomes house broken she will have the run of the joint.

Do you have kids or a stay at home parent for your pets?

[Jamilupine]

I think you will be alright Commissar. Ideally, I think no one would have to leave a dog for more than 4 hours at a time. But that is clearly not an option in most situations. The main point of my posts was to forewarn you about the dangers of an under exercised dog. It sounds like you are planning on getting her the exercise she needs. If you see destructive behaviors arise while you are gone, please consider that she may need more exercise.

I, personally, am a stay at home student! I recently quit my job (supported by my fiance) so that I can focus more on my school work. At this time I am home most days all day. If I do go, it is usually for short periods of time. In a week, I will start being away from home two days a week for about 6 hours. I am extremely nervous about this, but I have scheduled my time so that I will have pleanty of time in the mornings to get Lucy out of the house and tired out before I go to work.

Take it one day at a time once you have her home, just be aware of the behavioral effects of your pup being crated all day. When she gets out of that crate, trust me, she will be a huge ball of energy! It may take some patience to deal with at times!

[gaddylovesdogs]

If you can, I think putting her in a small dog proof room rather than a crate would be much better. Stuff a kong with peanut butter and freeze it so it'll last longer, and make sure she has a bunch of other chewies to play with. A dog walker to take her out at least once for a 10 to 15 minute walk while you're gone would be great.

[Commissar]

I plan on leaving her in the kennel to start with, then let her roam the laundry room all day when I feel comfortable. It is a good size room, and a tile floor so if an accident happens it will be easy to clean up! And I definately plan on getting a kong!

Originally Posted by gaddylovesdogs

If you can, I think putting her in a small dog proof room rather than a crate would be much better. Stuff a kong with peanut butter and freeze it so it'll last longer, and make sure she has a bunch of other chewies to play with. A dog walker to take her out at least once for a 10 to 15 minute walk while you're gone would be great.

[lilmztude2u]

OK, I couldn't stay away! I rescue and foster beagles, so this thread grabbed me! The one thing that you need to keep in mind is that the beagle you want is already 2 years old. I myself rescued a 2 year old female beagle from the shelter. I adore her. But, I got her knowing that she would NEVER be home more than a few hours alone. This beagle that you want has spent 2 years learning behaivors. You don't really know what they are. They will be darn near impossible to break with a beagle that age. Beagles have TONS of energy, are very social, and bond deeply with their owners. They display every aspect of the term "pack dogs" and need you or someone with them regularly. Maybe you could find someone near you to let her out once during the day. Maybe a neighbor would be willing to do it for a few bucks a week. I would also suggest that if you do get her, start leaving her for short periods of time. Gradually increase the amount of time you are gone. I understand the want for a beagle, I want to keep everyone we rescue and foster...and I just have to say, the one you want looks like a twin to mine. They are IDENTICAL!!!
Housebreaking...beagles, again, are stubborn, and can be difficult to house train, if not done from an early age.
Spaying...with the age of your dog, they will most likely want to do a heartworm test. If that is the case with our beagle rescues, we must take them in 24 hours before the surgery. We must then wait overnight after the surgery before picking her up. So, they are gone 2 nights. Talk to the vets around you. Maybe you can schedule her surgery for a Thursday, that way you can pick her up Friday and be with her all weekend.
As far as things you will need. You might just want to hold off on the dog bed. She will most likely demand to sleep in bed with you...and you will have wasted your money...lol. I don't think dogs really care what type of bowl you put their food in, as long as there is food in it! The ones that sit up off the floor are nice, for taller dogs, but beagle aren't really that far off the floor already.
And, as I ALWAYS SAY...(jami will agree) NEVER, EVER no matter how much you trust your beagle, NEVER, let her out of a fenced area without a leash! You will regret it!!! Beagles are hunting dogs by blood, no matter how much you train her, she will not get over that instinct! She may do fine the first time, but soon as your beagle catches scent of something, even a caterpiller, she will be GONE, and you will spend many days, (like we have) searching for hours for your dog! Make sure when you go buy her toys, etc, you buy her a name tag with your address and phone number!!!
Need anything let me know!
Amber

[Jamilupine]

And I would highly suggest microchipping, just incase she happens to get away without a collar or something.

[Dopey]

What a cutie. Best of luck when you get her. I hope you have a few days off once you pick her up so she can adjust to her new surroundings and lifestyle.

[Cassiepeia]

Originally Posted by Commissar

I know I will be gone for a good period of time a day, I work. Are you saying no one else that owns a non-destructive beagle works a normal work week? I am an engineer and single, I work about a 1/2 hour from home, work 5 days a week. After that I am home, I am 25 and still have energy to burn. There are parks near by and I plan on taking her there quit often depending on weather. My parents have the same situation with a shih-tzu (as far as kenneling when they are at work) and have never had any problems. I also have some friends with a rat terrier who is kenneled for about the same amount of time due to both of the people working. I know the dog types are different, but when I am home, she will be my life and she will get excercise! And when she becomes house broken she will have the run of the joint.

Do you have kids or a stay at home parent for your pets?

I posted my message because you have no idea how many people we get on here who honestly think it's ok to lock up a dog all day and then never walk it either. Apologies for making assumtions, but in order to give good advice and make people aware of things....we have to.

Good luck with your dog.

Cass.