Adventures in Training the Beagles

Dog Breeding is hard

For those of you who think breeders are the problem with dogs, you are so wrong.  They are doing the best they can to keep their breeds improving.  They are thrilled when puppies get great homes, even the ones that aren’t showing.

Beagles are generally easy keepers. It doesn’t take much food to keep them alive and healthy, doesn’t take much owner interaction. 

I once read a statistic that only 3 out of 5 puppies born make it to adulthood. Some days that number seems high.

This is one of them.  

A reputable breeder just lost the two puppies her female was carrying. They had the best of medical care, the breeder stayed with the litter the entire time and they just died. They were feeding, mom was taking care of them. Textbook perfect. C-section so yes, they had good care from moment one.

Recently another friend had a litter where 2 of the three puppies died. They were being cared for by the breeder and a certified vet tech. They died during birth.

Yes, there are successful births puppies are doing well, and out of the blue, they get parvo.  Thousands of dollars later, one dies, one is unaffected and three make it.  None of the adults dogs were exposed or affected, no one knows where it came from. Litters before and after don’t get it. 

Another older pup gets killed by an adult dog within days of being placed in its home.

An adult dog gets loose after being attacked at a training facility and gets hit by a car.

Females die giving birth, after birth, you name, just like humans do.

I have tears and sympathy for all affected.  Its hard.  I am not sure I want to go there and I know my husband doesn’t   He gets very attached.

 

Second Conformation Class

People were surprised he was bigger.  

He is teething so didn't like having to show his bite.  However, he is still infinitely better than Summer was on the table.  He stands still and lets me fool with him.  Same with the judge.  Also likes loving on the judge.

He is really great on the leash, which surprises me as we have only had a few leash outings.  First confirmation class, Nordstrom's visit, and the vet.

He really seems to enjoy the attention.  

And he learned!  He learned that you don't play with chihuahua's but that pugs are fun.

I hope to have movies and pictures next time.  This week was crowded because of the Glen Rose shows.  We won't have class again until next Tuesday, after the Glen Rose shows, and I would feel better about cameras at that class.

I was thinking about taking him to the fun match but he won't be 4 months old until 2/7

 

 

Pet Insurance

I just cancelled my Nationwide Policies.

When Marcie had a pancreatitis attack that cost a $1000 a day, I got pet insurance.  I have kept it for 10 years, but cancelled all my policies this week.

My original plan, was to breed a litter of beagles, and include the pet insurance with the purchase of the puppies.  That meant no preexisting conditions exclusions.

However, I called and asked about coverage for breeding costs, and they told me after this year, they weren't covering any breeding costs.  I didn't explore that further, but let it rumble around in my brain.  Then I got an EOB from Dulce's policy where she hadn't met the deductible this year and her year starts in May.  

So instead of buying a policy for Obi, I opened a savings account and put the policy amount in that account.  Then I canceled the other policies and that money is also going into that account.  I already have set aside about $2500 for vet bills and plan to continue to add to it.

 

First Vet Visit

There are a couple of reasons to take a pup to the vet the first week you get them.

In Texas, the microchip is important if there is every a loose dog and ownership issue.  In fact, our city has been paying for resident's dogs.

In males, if you want to show, they need both testicles.  Obi has both of them.  My conformation instructor thought so, I thought so, but its best to get it from the vet.

Free heart worm preventive.  

So we have his records set up at the vet's office, he's chipped and has been declared healthy.  

It took a while.  The staff all had to play with him and socialization is part of the point.

 

 

And he's out

Yesterday, Obi figured out that he could climb the slates of the play pen.

He was also extremely sharkie - as was his sister — which I am sure is caused by teething.

Everytime he bites, he gets a loud ”Ouch” or ”No” and a little tap on the face.  I also praise every time he licks or interacts appropriately with my hand.  Today was MUCH better, though he is testing the limits.

He did stay in the pen for a few minutes today, and didn’t try to climb it, but I didn’t push it.  I am looking for another pen.  I don’t like the tents, as if there is a cover, he might as well be in the condo.

I like the clear sided pens that a breeder/handler uses, but I think they are too pricy for something I only use a few weeks.

Today, I spent a good hour with him laying next to me, while I worked/played.  Slowed me down but it was a good long quiet calm interaction.

Obie is almost out of his pen

He came close to getting out tonight by pushing the pen close to the sofa and using a blanket.  I caught him just in time.  Actually he has made more attempts, so he can't be left in the pen unattended any more.  Time to puppy proof!

We have been having thunderstorms and like the rest of the beagles could care less, though he doesn't like being wet.

Today's excursion was Nordstrom's -- I had to return something so he went with.  He loved getting admired, loved on and generally spoiled.  Walking on a lead is going quite well.  Didn't like the car on the way, but was cool with it after the adventure.

Obie is almost out of his pen

He came close to getting out tonight by pushing the pen close to the sofa and using a blanket.  I caught him just in time.  Actually he has made more attempts, so he can't be left in the pen unattended any more.  Time to puppy proof!

We have been having thunderstorms and like the rest of the beagles could care less, though he doesn't like being wet.

Today's excursion was Nordstrom's -- I had to return something so he went with.  He loved getting admired, loved on and generally spoiled.  Walking on a lead is going quite well.  Didn't like the car on the way, but was cool with it after the adventure.

Obi Wan Kenobi - Day 5

We just took a walk on a lead -- ended up going across the street and past 3 houses.  I predicted he would take a nap, and he did.

He came with me the whole way.  Some of the time I was too slow for him and he tried to climb my leg, but other than that, he did great.  He also got some socialization, he didn't want her to pet him until I stacked him on the ground, but that's fine.  After that, he was all good with her.

We've spent the time learning how to be a beagle, he was very unsteady on our floors and establishing as much of a routine as I can with the job I have.

He finally slept all night last night without crying.  

We're doing a lot of teaching basics -- teaching him name, praising him for making eye contact, touch my hand with your nose, and coming when called.

Summer has been teaching him to bark, how to play chase, and otherwise being jealous.  She's staying, he's not.  Macy and Dulce have done some puppy training too, but not as much.

Fun dog!

Obi-Wan Kenobi

I have a new puppy! He was delivered to me yesterday (Friday, December 21).

it's one of those things -- a friend of mine has two females she has shown and is now breeding but lives in an apartment.  She ended up with a nice female and a nice male, but doesn't have room for both, so she asked if I would grow it out and do at least some of the showing.

His father is Anakin --CH Maple Ridge Northern Lights and his mother is Bunni - Ch Longhorn-MegVu Watercoloured Dreams so it's something you just don't turn down.  He's a once in a lifetime dog, and you don't get those chances very often.

I was thinking of naming him Luke, but Anakin's owner suggested Kenobi.  Since Star Wars was always important to my father and I, I settled on that.  Makes for a nice call name for agility -- the first syllable says "look at me", the second syllable of a name says don't go on that obstacle, so two syllable names are best.

I took him for his first conformation class and he did nicely.  We already knew he stacked easily:

He hasn't been on a lead but he moved well when we got him moving.  

Since this was our first time out, I was very easy going.  He's currently sleeping!