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Beagles/Alternate Excercise options
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Question
Hello. I just adopted a Beagle pup, who is now about 13 weeks old. Everything I read talks about the importance of dog walking and excercising, not only for Beagles (because they are prone to obesity), but for all dogs to satisfy them mentally and physically. I absolutely have the time and want to walk my dog two or three times per day. However, the vet has advised against this temporarily because she does not have all her shots and because it is so cold in New England and little Lola doesn't have enough fur to keep her warm. I just feel like a delinquent dog owner not taking my dog out (other than to go to the bathroom). I try to tire her out inside, but you know the one track mind of the Beagle makes them get bored with everything quickly (we call her "ol' one-track" when she will not leave a smell alone). There was a time when she would run up stairs, but not down, so we would let her run up the stairs, then carry her down and repeat, until she got bored. Then, we would call her from a room and run around the house. All of this is very fun, but I just don't think it compares to real walking and real excercise. I do have a treadmill and tried her on it, but I just wasn't sure the proper way to go about it. I introduced it to her, let her smell it, hear it while it was on, stand on it. Then, I put it on a very slow speed, but she pretty much just jumped off. Is treadmill training my best option? If so, what can I do to get her to use it? If not, do you have any other suggestions?
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Oh My Lola is so precious, I just want to squeeze her. I am truly a beagleholic!
You vet is right on about her not being exposed until all her shots are on board, it can be lethal. As far as the cold, when she is able to do walks a sweater or coat will work for short periods of time .
You didnt mention if you have a fenced yard that no other dogs have access to..... if so she can be outside there, she just cannot be exposed to other dog's feces/urine.
I don't personally have any experience using a treadmillwith a dog, it is something I have thought about myself actually for my 2 yr old male who is super high energy. I think you can find a bunch of info on the internet that might be helpful though. What I do know is that at 13 weeks Lola is too young for the treadmill for a while yet, her bones and joints are not ready for that kind of stress. I would say not until she is full grown but I would check this out with your vet for a final answer.
Hope this is helpful info!
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Answers by Expert:
Have4Paws
Expertise
I am happy to answer BEAGLE BREED SPECIFIC behavioral questions. Please DO NOT ask CRATE TRAINING OR MEDICAL questions! I am not a vet nor an expert in the use of crates.
Experience
I currently have one beagle, a male age 5, an 12 month old Pit Bull, and a 8 year old min. poodle. I have had to let go of three of my dogs, 2 beagles and 1 whippet/rat terrier mix in the past 5 years, most recently my whippet mix. The two beagles lived to 15 and the whippet mix to 13.5, it has been hard to say goodbye to them. I have done rescue work on and off for years as well as fund-raising for the local animal shelter. I worked for a dog magazine in the past (Southern California Dog Magazine). Being a psychotherapist has encouraged me to do in depth studying of animal behavior as well. I have worked with many people to help curb undesirable behaviors in their dogs (or them!) or to form good behaviors. My life is devoted to and surrounded by my dogs........The picture you see here is Zeppelin but we also call him the "miracle dog". He was hit by a car April 2010 while out with the dog walker and had very serious injuries... 4 surgeries and $17,000 later my boy is whole again and back to loving life. He is so special to me and he weathered a lot of pain and trauma yet is still the sweet boy he always was! I also work to stop Breed Specific Legislation and help to get pit bulls adopted.
Organizations
HSUS, PETA, SPCA
DONT SHOP...ADOPT!!
Publications
Dog Fancy
Education/Credentials
I am a Marriage and Family Therapist licensed in the state of CA and am also credentialed as a Certified Addiction Treatment Specialist
Awards and Honors
Honored by the Agoura Animal Shelter for my volunteer work.
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