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Beagles/beagle behavior

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Expert: - 7/15/2003


Question
Why does our 5 year old female beagle mount our 1 1/2 year old female beagle, my 7 year old sister, and me?  I'm 10.  My mom says Alley is trying to show she is the dominant dog in the house.  My sister and I are not dogs.  What's the best way to get her to stop this behavior?  

Answer
Hi Sarah! Yes, your Mom is absolutely right! Mounting is not always related to wanting to make puppies. You are her pack even though part of it is human and part of it is canine.

The best way is to tell her OFF in a very stern voice and if you need to, shove her away with your knee or arms. Once she gets down, then tell her GOOD GIRL and praise her like she just did the best thing ever! Keep doing this until she gets the idea. It may be difficult to get her to stop this completely, especially with the other dog but you should be able to get her to at least stop doing it to you girls.

Good luck!
Have4Paws

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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 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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