Expert: Have4Paws - 6/9/2002

Question
Hi, my name's Mike...how are you?

I'm 26 years old, and I live at home with mom and my elderly grandparents (around 90)..

I had decided a couple of years ago that I wanted to bring a dog into the house again after about a twelve year abscence (My grandparents had had a beagle while my younger sister and were growning up, and I was about 12 when we had the dog put to sleep)..

I went about a search through various local shelters over a period of a couple of months, as I was bound and determined to bring a little love back into the house, lol..

In July of 00', I made a drive to a shelter in Woonsocket, R.I..  This beagle was had to be the friendliest and most affectionate dog out of the 10 or 12 others in the kennel.  I knelt down in front of kennel and she came up to me and greeted me with kisses and kisses and a wagging tail, y'know?
They put her on a leash for me and we walked around outside for a few minutes, and she was so eager and upbeat (why wouldn't she be, right lol?)

Cheyenne's been with us for almost two years.  I forgot to mention that I brought her home without much knowledge of hor history, and she's about 5 to 5 and a half years old, now..

We all love her very much - Cheyenne is a good, docile companion for the grandfolks: my mom's the one her feeds her for the most part.
She's not affectionate, and I am, (lol).  She will turn her cheek the other way if I go to kiss her, unless I'm holding her, of course.  She most often greets me when I walk in after work, she'll wag her tail a bit, jump on the couch and sit/slouch with a paw semi-extended, and she'll emit a low growl and even crinkle her nose a little.  It's almost funny...

My grandfather says in a half-joking manner that he's never seen a dog with her personality in his life (and he's owned a few beagles).

I've stated on several occasions that if I had to do it over, I'c bring home a different dog, honestly...I so often have felt like I'm the only one she doesn't like and that she's wary of.

I'm sorry I've been so long-winded with my e-mail.  This has just concerned me for a long time and I would appreciate any constructive advice you have to offer..
No other dog I've ever known or been aquainted with in my life has treated me with such indifference or acted the way she has toward me, and I'm the one who brought her home.  That's the ironic part of it.

Thank's for your time and reading my rambling..
Mike Robbins  

Answer
HI and thanks for your question!

Well, first off I know it must be disappointing to find that your dog is not all that you had hoped she would be as far as a loving companion. The truth is that dogs, like people, all have different personalities. I have a male beagle who is a complete lover and will let anyone touch, pet and hold him. But my female beagle is only friendly generally to my son and I and won't let even us hold her. She can even be snappish at times to other people. I had had great hopes for her to be as affectionate as my male but it wasn't in her makeup.

Secondly, besides a personality thing, it may be that since you are a male (and don't know her previous history), perhaps a male that you remind her of was not kind to her.

Lastly, dogs, and most definately beagles (who are very food driven) usually bond to the person who feeds them the most and next woudl be to the person who walks them. It doesn't sound like you are the person who does either of those things.

I would suggest that perhaps you take over the feeding for a while and start to take her for walks. She will begin to bond to you this way although nothing will make her a super affectionate dog if that is not her nature. Also, these two things are ok to do but never, ever push yourself on her in other types of situations and especially if she growls at you. That is not "funny", that is a warning! Instead, when you come home and she jumps up on the couch sit down next to her (never stand OVER her which is a threatening posture) and offer her some treats. Do this on a regular basis and this will also bond her more to you. Keep in mind though as I said that she may never be the lap dog that you had hoped for.

I hope this information helps you and I wish you good luck!

Have4Paws