Beagle Blog

Collars

What sort of collar do you use for training your Beagle?

I use the choke (check) chain collar when training Bosco, but only because it’s so easy to slip on. I have been looking at different types of dog collars that are available, and am trying to figure out which one is right for my Beagle. So we start with the check chain. The chain is made into a loop and placed around the dog’s neck, and attached to a lead. When the lead is pulled, the chain is tightened around the dog’s neck. The purpose of a check chain is not to ‘choke’ them, but to offer a sharp pull to distract them from their train of thought. This is probably not the best type of collar for someone who gets wound up easily, as giving the chain a good yank can be all too tempting.

Now we look at the gentle leader, like a harness, but around the face, you lead the dog a bit like you would lead a horse A muzzle covers the dog’s snout and the lead is attached to it. There is controversy behind these, and a hard pull of the leash could cause neck injury

Ok, let’s look at the dreaded Prong collar. These are metal chain-like collar, but with prongs pointing inwards, so when you pull the chain, your dog gets poked in the neck. I must admit that the only time I have seen it used was on an episode of the Dog Whisperer, but you would never catch me ever putting them on my beagle. As I see it they are inhumane, they are not meant to be painful, but I can’t imagine wearing one being a very pleasant experience.

Electric dog collars. You put the collar on the dog, and let him run. When he does something you don’t want him to, you push a button on a remote and give him a small electric shock. Although this would be beneficial, especially to ignorant Beagles, I’m sure it wouldn’t be nice for them so I wouldn’t personally use them. Not to mention the price, I saw one in a hunting magazine for US$400!

My personal recommendation: The check chain. Nice and simple and effective.

Over the last week, I have noticed Bosco vomiting some mornings. The vomit is a yellow bile. I wasn’t concerned at first, but it continued to occur. I thought I would do a quick google search to see if anyone else was having this problem. After visiting many websites, the general idea was that some dogs have gastric issues, and there were many treatments including antacids and changing diet. A lot of people have had success by feeding their dog right before they go to bed.

I am going to try this tonight, hopefully I will see a change in Bosco. Please comment if you have had similar experience.

**NOTE** In all cases of gastric issues that I saw, all dogs were otherwise healthy and happy (including Bosco). If your dog is vomiting, and is not happy or healthy, see a vet immediately.

This happened today when I was working on the allthingsbeagle.com design, so I thought I would tell you about it while my mind was on the job.

This afternoon, as I said, I was tapping away at my keyboard, working on the website, when I heard a noise coming from outside. Bosco in the garbage again, I thought to myself. I didn’t want to get up as I didn’t want to lose my concentration from what I was doing, but I did anyway. I walked out onto the balcony and sure enough, as expected, Bosco had got into the garbage. This time though, instead of growling and rattling cans and clapping my hands (techniques to break your dogs attention from doing naughty things), I just started to laugh. The silly beagle had got himself caught up. Here are a couple of photos i took from my phone:

I tried to get him to walk around for a bit so I could take a video but after a small awkward walk inside the milk bottle fell off his foot. Ah well at least I got the photos.

I was wandering around my house yesterday looking for my mischievous Beagle. I was calm at first, but became nervous as Bosco is an Olympic high jump gold medallist (or equivalent), and can jump my fence with ease. Wandering down the street, Bosco was nowhere to be found. Usually when he escapes he can be seen playing at the end of the driveway with the many children that live down my street. I became rather unsettled. I went back up the driveway and inside to get my car keys, to do a drive by hunt for him. As I walk past the kitchen, I hear plates rattle. I walk into the kitchen to find that Bosco was treasure hunting inside of the dishwasher! Not just standing on the door either, he was in behind the trays, looking extremely pleased with himself. I find it’s great when you can learn lessons from your mistakes, even if it’s as small as remembering to close the dishwasher completely after putting something in it.

Have you ever heard of The Wandering Jew? Legend tells of a Jew who taunted Jesus on his way to his crucifixion, and then was condemned to wander the earth aimlessly until Jesus’ second coming.

This is leading somewhere believe it or not!.

Today there is a plant called Wandering Jew, and I became aware of it when I noticed my Beagle had horrible pimple-like sores on his belly accompanied with a rash. I took him to the vet and she told me that Bosco had an allergy to Wandering Jew and its variations (which is common for most dogs). Bosco needed a course of pain killers and anti-biotics and he recovered well after about a week. Wandering Jew also had the name Wandering Willie, which sounds funnier.

Anyway, if you see your beagle with a rash or sores on his tummy take him to the vet and get him checked out for contact allergies like wandering Jew. Please comment if you have had any experience with Canine contact allergies.

Here you will find Beagle information, tips and advice. Walk with me as I go through training my own Beagle and techniques that work and don’t work.

Feel free to comment. In fact I encourage it so I know that there are people who are reading. Don’t forget, if you have an RSS reader, you can add me to your list, and if you don’t get one, I urge you to. They are a great tool for keeping up-to-date on all your favourite sites, without having to directly visit them!

NOTE TO SPAMMERS: Please don’t leave me spammy comments on my blog. If you do, me and my beagle will hunt you down and lick you to death (well my beagle will, ill probably just slap you.)