Hey! My name is Jenna and I am new to the website. I'm also a new Mama to a 12wk old beagle puppy named Kelly! She is a beautiful energetic purebred beagle. I have A LOT of questions so any that people can answer would be great. This is the first time my family has had the pleasure of welcoming a puppy to our family. We have had 4 dogs since I've been alive and 2 of them were rescued beagles. We also have 3 cats - Meebles(Too Too), Leo (Baby), and Atlanta (Lanty). They are used to dogs but definitely not used to a puppy. Hopefully they will become quick friends. :) Alright well I'm going to list my questions and any answers or tips anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated!


1. Food - Right now we are feeding her Beneful Puppy food which is what her Foster Mom had been feeding her. She really seems to like it. My questions are - is this a good food, how many times should she be fed and about how much?

2. Water - I've been told a few things. What I've been doing is offering water every 30 minutes or so. I've only had her since 3pm today. Any tips on how to keep her hydrated but not full of pee? hehe.

3. Toys & Treats - Right now we just have a few little chew toys. She is partial to a soft squeaky toy her Foster Mom gave us but I'd rather her not chew things like that for fear of choking if she tears it apart. As for treats we have been using Milkbone puppy biscuits. They are a little hard but again, this is what her Foster Mom gave her. She likes them a lot but I would like other options. :)

4. Potty Training - This has been rough for a few reasons. One being the dog we have had for the last 10 years let himself out by pushing our back door open and even let himself in my sticking his paw in the door and swinging it open. This is the first time we've ever had to potty train a dog because all of our dogs were young rescues. This is what I have done so far - I took her out after we got out of the shelter. It was a no go. Then I took her out when we stopped at the store to walk around and she still wouldn't go. So, we came home and I took her out again. No go. So we gave her some food and water. Took her out a few minutes after and still wouldn't go. Around 5:30 - 6pm she went potty on my floor. I took her right outside. Didn't go. We continued this all night and she had two more accidents one pee one poop. Each time I took her out and I took her out in between as well. Stayed out there for about 10 minutes each time. Also took her for a short walk before bed but also a no go. So, any advice or criticism is welcome!

6. Crate Training - She is actually doing VERY well with this. I don't think her foster mom crate trained her but she is very good about it. I introduced it to her a few times without closing the door. Then I had her eat dinner in there. She dragged the bowl out and ate it with me anyway. hehe Then I put her in there with a treat and a toy and closed the door for about 3 minutes. She cried the whole time so I waited until she stopped for a few seconds, took her out and praised her. Then I put her in there for about 10 minutes and she cried but I stood my ground. The last time I put her in there was around 9pm (its 10:10pm right now) and she cried for about 3 minutes and then she fell asleep and has been asleep ever since. :) I've set my alarm on my phone to go off every 3 hours in case she needs to potty. I won't wake her unless she is awake and whining. Is this okay?? Also, her crate is kind of big for her. My last beagle (Max died a few weeks ago. RIP buddy - we miss you.) fit in there quite comfortably but she is so little! I've heard if its too big they will go to the bathroom in there and lay on the other side. We don't have a lot of money right now so any tips or tricks are appreciated. :)

7. Playing in the yard - Our yard is quite large. It's fenced off some wood some wire. We have a lot out there including a deck, big pool and a good sized garden. We don't mind letting her roam when we get used to her but I know beagles like to dig. Any tips for puppy proofing a yard? Also tips for introducing her to the yard would be good too.

8. Introducing her to the cats - This is probably what I am most worried about. We have 3 cats as I said before. We've always had at least one dog while having these guys but never a puppy. Especially one as excited and nosy as Kelly! hehe I have been told to designate an area only for the cats so they can have peace and quiet. I'm just not sure how to do that. I don't want to put them in a room and close the door. They really love the back enclosed deck to lay around and enjoy the sun in. I would like to keep Kelly out of there as much as possible. The two younger guys I'm not too worried about but my old lady Lanty doesn't like anybody or anything most of the time let alone a puppy. Should i introduce them one by one?

9. Bathing and Health care - I would like to give her a bath tomorrow because she is VERY itchy. I've combed her with a flea comb a few times but just found some dandruff. Is there any special shampoo for puppies or is it all the same? Also, her ears and belly have a red rash. Ears more then belly. Any ideas on what that is? I plan on taking her to the vets next week but if I need to I will sooner. She is already fixed and has had some shots. Is there a special flea/heart worm medicine used for puppies?

10. Final question! haha Playing with other dogs- Is there a certain age or stage where we can start introducing her to other dogs? Almost everyone I know has a dog and they would like to have play dates with her. I think it will be good just not sure when I should start that.

Well, I know I've asked a million questions but I really just want to get this right and give her the best life I can. Thanks again for any advice!

-Jenna & Kelly

few rules:

1. always have chew toys!!
2. your beagle will dig!! so you may want to hold off on planting anything until they grow up a bit.
3. Always keep on a leash...they are a nose with 4 legs and will take off and not look back. once they get a scent, they go deaf!
4. milk bones are the best. greenies and rawhide upset my beagles tummy and their teeth need to stay clean ($1000.00 of dental work later!!!)start brushing teeth when they are a puppy
5. they hate to be left alone. mine gets very anxious, so hopefully you have other animals and that will help. you will feel completely loved when you come home!!

They are the most loving, happy dogs you will ever have. beagles can be hard work, but sooooo worth it. when your puppy finds its voice, and it will, be prepared!!! :) their howl can be loud! but you can alway learn to control it somewhat.

congrats!

I remember a dog food grading system a few years ago and Beniful is about the worst of the worst dog foods you can purchase. I would be about as nutritious to feed your puppy the bag instead of the food. I have literally spoken with people in the supermarket buying that junk.

Purina makes decent foods. Beniful is not one of them.

Yeah..Beneful is junk with a nice marketing scheme that appeals to vegetarians,dogs are not vegetarians and need a diet heavy in meat, some greens yes, but not a majority of the diet, or a "balance". YUCK... Ol Roy might even be better than Beneful