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Beagles/how do i make my beagle more playful?

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Expert: Have4Paws - 10/25/2009


Question
We recently got a 4 month old beagle, the problem?
when we got him at our local pet store, he was very playfull, when we brought him home, he did his searching around, but now he doesnt play with the toys we bought him, as well as our jack russel puppy, 'amir' only is playful when we have food in our hands or his treats, how can i get him to be more playful? as well as want to go outside for a walk, he often resist going outside to play, he will only stay by the door, please help me get him more active.

Answer
HI, thanks for writing. To be honest your puppy is too young to go for a walk yet, he should not be taken outside the house and yard (unless going to the vet)until he has had all of his shots. Otherwise he is at high risk for Parvo and other diseases. As far as the playing it is possible that he has too many toys and is bored by them. Beagles are very food driven, try using a Kong stuffed with peanut butter or a Buster Cube with pieces of his kibble inside. Does he wrestle with the other puppy? If not and he just lays around he may already be sick, this is not normal behavior for a puppy although when they are that young they only get spurts of energy and need to sleep 3/4 of the 24 hours each day. Feel free to write back with more detailed info.

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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 4.5, an 9 month old Pit Bull, and a 6 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 4 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!

Organizations
HSUS, PETA, SPCA

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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