Expert: Have4Paws - 1/23/2010

Question
I have a beagle that we got from previous owners that didn't train her. We got her about 2 years ago and she's about 5 years old. She doesn't like to listen. She gets into the trash under the sink all the time. We have to lock it with those things for babies to lock cabinets. I've caught her ripping up the trash can tons of times and tell her 'no' and send her to her cage. But she keeps doing it. I don't know how else to discipline her. She also doesn't listen when I tell her to get off the couch. When I try to push her off #gently and nicely# she turns her head and tries to nip at me. Any tips on how to stop this behaviour? Thanks.

Answer
Hi Angela, As far as the trash this is just about every beagle owners lament, me included with every beagle I have ever owned. Yeah, I know all about those baby safety things, have had to use many in my time. My latest solution has been to baby gate the kitchen off completely because last spring my devil boy got into the trash compactor (!)and ate glass and bones..... $5,000.00 later (and almost didnt pull through) I now gate it off so he can never get in there again. ANd it is working quite well, we have just gottenused to it and open and close it as needed when we go in. Your girl is a beagle after all and they LIVE TO EAT. That nose can smell things a mile away so the temptation of it being right there in the kitchen is just too much for them.I would suggest doing the same and dog proofing the rest of the house. It is no different than baby-proofing your home, if it is something they might want to eat put it up or away. It eliminates a lot of headaches. I have never heard of a 100% reliable beagle no matter how good they are trained to not want to eat or run when they smell a scent. It is just hard-wired in them Sometimes the best way to find a soultion is not to try to change it but accept it and work around it.

What you are describing as far as the nipping is classic of a dog who doesnt respect you as the Alpha. She thinks that she is in charge and she is showing her dominance and possiveness to you. This is NOT ok..... You need to start by not letting her on the couch anymore. She must work for her food and love. This is how she will come to respect you. When you feed her make her sit for about a minute before you put her food down. Do not give it to her until she has performed to your satisfaction. Block her from jumping on the couch and make her sit, do it a thousand times if you have to until she gets the idea that she cannot make the choice. For now while you are training her with this do not allow her on the furniture at all, no couches or beds. She must learn that these are your domain, not hers. Eventually (and I mean months down the road of her being submissive to you) you will be able to train her to only jump up if you invite her but that is a long ways off for now.

Lastly, never, never, never use her crate as a punishment. Her crate is supposed to be her own personal haven and you want only good things associated with it. Punitive punishment never works with dogs anyway, it just breeds aggression or fear. WHen she does something wrong she must sit and stay and submit to your wishes

I hope that this is helpful, feel free to check back as things progress. Remember if you are not consistent and hold to no couches/beds 100% of the time don't expect her to either.