[HarleyMama08]

I have a beautiful 5 month old tri-colored female beagle named Harley Tucker. Although a great dog, she has developed a few behaviors that are unacceptable in my home. Here's the issues:

1. She has this paper fetish. No matter how many toys we provide for her, she insists on shredding paper and other items in the home including cables, wires and children's toys.

2. She insists in going to the bathroom in the house. We let her out on a leash and no matter how long we are out there, she will not go and waits till she's inside and hunts for a place to go. We have tried crate training and nothing works.

We love her to death but do not like her behavior lately. We will be getting her spayed the 17th of March so I am in hopes this helps with her hyperness however, I am in dire need of suggestions on the above 2 items.

I do not have a fenced in yard as we live in the middle of nowhere (about 10 miles from any town)

I have 3 children, one whom is disabled and another dog, a 2.5 yr old English Springer Spaniel as well as a cat. We raise rabbits but they are out in the barn and do have a few other critters in the house. She is really good with them, I am just concerned that if I cant get these behaviors fixed soon, hubby will make me get rid of her. He is at his wits end HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crystal

 

[Sephly]

well the her going in the house, is just lack of potty training. There are lots of posts on how to potty train around the forum.

The paper fetish is universal, most dogs like to rip up paper, they grow out of it. say a firm no, and replace the paper with an appropriate toy.

Sorry to hear about your hubby, i hope it all works out.

 

[HarleyMama08]

I have been using the crate, taking her out every hour. I am a SAHM so I am home all day pretty much every day. She's a smart dog, I just wish she'd pick up on the whole going outside thing!!

thanks for the advice

 

[fauxpasta]

I've tried to puppy-proof the house as best I can. Mail is put waist-high or better, as are things like cell phones, the trash can and recycling bin, books, bottle caps, etc. It must be a lot harder with such a full house! I have the leisure of just two dogs and a boyfriend to look after, so it's easier to keep control of the mayhem. I don't know that there is a good deterrent to the paper-chewing other than prevention and vigilance on the part of everyone who can be responsible for the dog's behavior, sadly. Does everyone help with keeping the house picked up? Does everyone help with taking the dog out for potty training?

 

[Brien]

Have you taken a puppy class with her? If not, I would suggest it. I think many of those behavior issues can be addresses and fixed in no time. But each one will require a specific approach and a training class might help you with that.

 

[HarleyMama08]

Originally Posted By: EveDoes everyone help with keeping the house picked up? Does everyone help with taking the dog out for potty training?

Unfortunately, that is one of the issues I am having right now. The kids are supposed help do that kind of stuff, but, the insist on waiting for mom to do it. OR, if they do take her out, they only stand there for a few mins. 'Oh, she peed, she's done' kinda thing... Then, when she goes in the house, they say 'its all her fault, she didnt go outside', well, you can blame her when you are the one(s) taking her out!!!

So, that is an ongoing issues here. During the days, when everyone is gone, I take her out every hr or so on a schedule... She usually does ok for me, but, even that has taken time

Thanks

 

[HarleyMama08]

Originally Posted By: Brien & Bodie
Have you taken a puppy class with her? If not, I would suggest it. I think many of those behavior issues can be addresses and fixed in no time. But each one will require a specific approach and a training class might help you with that.

No, she has not had any puppy training BUT, she will be getting some. It'll be a month or so before we can get her into a class. I will also have to come up with $75 (which I know isn't bad).

I would love to do more with Harley than just be a pet... I am in Search and Rescue and I want to train her for scent trailing. But, I have to get her some manners first!

It's going to take time BUT, I am sure that it can and will be done (if I have anything to say about it!)

Thanks again!

 

[jassy]

When Maggie was a pup she shredded and ate anything paper. We had to be so careful to keep everything picked up. I warned my daughter and her friends that if they left school papers on the floor and Maggie ate them, it was their own fault. Then she ate the last few pages of a really good mystery I was reading and I got to hear well, its your own fault.
If it helps though, she did pretty much outgrow that. I leave books out now and mail on the table. She didn't start improving until about 16 months. Maggie is almost three. She will occasionally steal a book and run but usually if she hasn't had much attention from me. She does know to sit when I tell her and to give it. It will get better with Harley but probably not for a while. Just keep being firm and consistent.

 

[Zookeeper]

Paper was banned from any surface lower than counter-level when Duke was a pup. I could walk out of a room for 2 minutes and come back to shredded paper. I swear, he did a better job than an electric shredder! The good news is, they DO grow out of that. I now leave newspapers and magazines on the end table next to my chair and they are inside all day and don't touch it. Harley will get there, too.

The most important part of potty training (and ANY beagle training) is consistency. Watch her like a hawk. Some people have even tried leash training, where they tether their beagles to them. But like paper shredding, Harley will grow out of the potty in the house phase, too. Some just take a little longer to get it.

But both the things you described are totally normal puppy behaviors. It doesn't make them a bad dog, just means they need more patience, training, and consistency. Like Brien said, training classes are your best tool. They will teach you how to properly train Harley into a perfect little lady! Good luck.

 

[cheezyridr]

i was lucky with my sophie. she caught on to the potty training faster than any dog i ever had. i just made sure to take her out every 2 hours, or 1 hour after she ate. we stayed outside until she does her thing. we go to the same spot every time, and when we get there, i tell her to do her thing and she only gets so much leash. the only times she really has accidents have been my fault for not watching closely enough.
there have been the occasional revenge pee episodes, and a couple of times where she has for some reason refused to go outside and saved it for the moment we came in. these are very rare but they did happen.

 

[HarleyMama08]

THANK YOU to everyone for all the advice, support and suggestions!! I have spoken with my husband and told him I WILL NOT LET YOU THROW HER OUTSIDE!!! He was like, whatever.. UGH, MEN!!!!

I told Harley that she will have to learn manners and that it will take alot on both our parts, No potty inside, not chew up things... I swear she understood me.. So far today (knock on wood) she hasnt chewed anything and has pottied outside!!!

Fingers crossed that I have the patience and kind voice to deal with it! So far, so good... right now, she's napping on the couch... Lazy Bones!!!!

Thanks again to EVERYONE!!!

 

[vkschoch]

Crystal, I totally feel your pain!! Squeegee is 8 months today and has just now gone a week and a half with no accidents inside! It has taken a lot of consistency and a little growing up on his part. We took him out often and brought treats. We designated his potty area and would take him there say go potty and wait until he went. When he did go I would repeatedly say go potty, good boy! in an excited voice and when he was done I would give him a treat. After a day or so he would potty and then run over looking for his treat. Until he went potty we did not leave the potty area and if it took too long we went inside and he got no sniffing/play time. After about 5 or 10 minutes (during which time he was constantly supervised!!) we would go try again. After he did go he would get some sniff/play time or a short walk in addition to the treats and praise. I'm sure that's easier said than done with a house, a husband, 2 kids, another dog and all of the other critters to manage.

As for the paper, Squeegee still eats it if it's on the floor and while it's a pain to keep on top of it I just assume that someday he'll stop. It's easier when there's a light at the end of the tunnel!!!

 

[HarleyMama08]

Thank you Vicki!!

We are going to put up a fensed off area this spring. Then we will have an area for her to do her business and if it's a nice day, we'll be able to have her outside for a few hours!!!

Any fence suggestions?? Height, should I put anything underground to prevent digging out?? Type of fensing??

Thanks again

 

[allan]

Well be patient because potty training isn't going to happen overnight. As somebody has already mentioned there are loads of advise on potty training. Personally I think once every hour is far too often because she won't need to pee every hour. I also found it most helpful to walk mine when housebreaking them, it seemed to make them want or need to pee more.Its not just a matter of getting her to pee outside but to realize peeing inside is not desireable therefore penning her outside won't help housebreak her but she might enjoy it.