Adopting a beagle / Dotson puppy and concerned about interaction with my chickens

[dainerra]

Honestly, it's neither. He's doing exactly what you've taught him - ignore the humans.
Leaving him out so much also lessens his desire to be obedient - he isn't part of the pack and the majority of the time does as he pleases. When someone comes out and said "come. Come. Come. Come. " all he hears is "blah blah blah"
By not enforcing, you've taught him to ignore you and so as he pleases.

Beagles are bred for only one purpose -follow their nose. Daschunds to kill vermin. Both are also problem solved which means they are going to be highly intelligent dogs which often translates to "not obedient unless you've given them a reason to listen"

 

[dainerra]

The same for barking at the door - you've taught him that he makes the decisions. And you ate constantly rewarding the behavior that you don't want.
He ignores the come command so you leave him outside - reward.
He barks and demands immediate entrance to the house, someone lays him in - reward.
Why would he ever change his behavior? His current respect for you (zero) hey's him ensuring he wants and has no negative consequences.

Change the command from "come" use the new word only when you can enforce obedience. Call his name to get his attention, short pause, command. If he isn't immediately on his feet and moving towards you, pull him in with the rope. That means you already have to have it in your hand before calling him so that you provide immediate enforcement.
Otherwise, don't call him at all - just go get him.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Huh, you're right. I never really thought of it like that or that we were teaching him to do exactly what we don't want.... we gotta work on that.

Although tbh we kinda like him coming to the door because we, and especially my dad, like to hook him up, go watch TV or do something and then get him when he's ready. He also thinks it's perfectly fine to let him bark and bark since he's "doing his job" whereas we go get him immediately. And often he barks at nothing and is annoying. Doesn't matter..

But I suppose if he's to learn COME (or the new word), we need to make some changes.

But also honestly he really doesn't go outside that much, a few times a day maybe, and he sleeps on the bed mostly, so we don't mind just letting him out to get some fresh air and coming in when he's ready. But again, if it means he's not going to listen to come then we'll change it. Besides, going outside on his own shouldn't be his only stimulation. If we start doing stuff with him then going outside for shorter times shouldn't be such a big deal. Plus sometimes we want to go somewhere and let him out quick and he takes his sweet time.... he usually pees immediately but won't poo for a while cause he obnoxiously takes his time. Also my dad lets him out every time he smokes, which is a lot, which I hate. He doesn't need to go out 5 million times a day. Yet whenever he smokes, Gator leaps up.

I always thought the coming in when he's ready thing was like wow he's such a good boy and so smart, doesn't cause trouble, just does his own thing and comes in when he's ready, which is true in a way, but I realize now he also simultaneously makes up his own rules and ignores us.

In fact, he used to growl when you tried to make him come in. Mostly when you got close and tried to grab the rope or collar and drag him in though, which is kind of mean in itself. But that's part of why I started reeling him in with the longer rope - he can't get you from far away.

So I'm not sure if getting him would work but I'm also not sure if he would still growl.

But either way, I guess we need to break that too if he still does it, which I don't know.

I'm going to start changing the command and actually enforcing it now.

Thanks!

Oh and also maybe give him something to do other than just sit outside and/or bark.

I feel bad forcing him to come in though because he just loves it out there and doesn't get to go out that much.

But maybe I could reach some sort of compromise? Like leave him out a decent amount of time but let him in when I want him to/say so instead of him? Plus doing other fun stuff?

I think moving more would be good for his hips too

 

[ShrekDawg]

Oh and he loves attention, too much even, very needy, and always wants to be with one of us so I think he's somewhat got the pack part down, maybe inner Lab and protective Pyr side? But he's also very independent and when he doesn't want attention, couldn't care less haha and he will happily sleep on the bed all day. Only wants to be near if it's the whole "flock" so to speak or favorite members. Which I guess is the independent side of the Pyr.

I suppose I really do need to work more on his training and obedience and start doing more activities with him. We've kind of settled for him being a "good dog" or "pretty good" and we're all kind of lazy so it's good that he is too but he could be soo much better if we tried. Not even that he's necessarily that bad but lots of little things. And he's sooo smart and he actually like loves to learn and loves training when we try so I kind of feel bad he just lays around all day. Although sometimes he's too smart and lazy and either gives up when it gets too hard (and likes to sass/complain about it when he's frustrated haha) or he likes to cheat. He's a big cheater aha but he's a funny dog. I think with more training and overcoming obstacles it could be good for him. And of course setting him up for success not failure because of course it's often my fault - I give him something that's too hard/too much too fast or that I didn't really teach him so not fair.

And of course he just needs more FUN and exercise. We would love to get at least part of the yard fenced so that he could run around

 

[rosemarythyme]

Beagles are bred for only one purpose -follow their nose. Daschunds to kill vermin. Both are also problem solved which means they are going to be highly intelligent dogs which often translates to "not obedient unless you've given them a reason to listen"

The initial post was asking about a beagle/doxie. Kdog's is lab/great pyrenees. Just pointing that out!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Thanks for all the help!! You're exactly right, he's doing what he wants because we don't enforce it. I think I'm going to start being a lot more consistent with him and, most importantly, have my dad start that too. He's not consistent at all. He'll tell him come or off and repeat it a bunch then change his mind when he doesn't do it, etc.

We meant to take him to training and socialization classes as a puppy but never did. But he can also be a little reactive around some dogs which is part of why I stopped walking him so being around lots of dogs makes me a little nervous. I don't think he's aggressive, I think it's just leash frustration he can't reach them (except one dog he hates) and he's fine with my brother so could be but idk. And apparently he is fine with dogs at the beach even his friend's big unneutered male mastiff.

But the weird thing actually is when we do training sessions he is like perfect. He has a perfect stay and "wait". I can make him stay a very long time or surround him with food, even put marshmallows and chips on his legs one time lol, and he waits until i release him. I can even put him on one end of the yard (our yard is HUGE, I'll find a pic) and make him STAY and he will come running all the way across the yard! And even shorter indoor distances, he has perfect recall and obedience. It's just when he is outsideor doing his own thing and not actively in a training session or whatever, he thinks "whatever." So a training class, while it could be fun and we could probably learn new stuff, might not help because he is perfect in training sessions.

But wow that's amazing! I never thought about how even if they want to do their own thing you don't necessarily have to let them. Good point. And yes he sits before treats or like any food.

And thanks for clearing up his breed

 

[dainerra]

the importance of training classes actually has little to do with teaching dogs and more to do with teaching humans. It's never too late to go. There are lots of trainers who work with reactive dogs. He may require a few 1-on-1 lessons before going into a class setting. The important thing about a training class, when it comes to the dog's point of view, isn't the commands taught. Rather, it's about learning to work with distractions, even when there is something else you would rather do. This is your biggest problem with him and why class and a trainer would help - he only listens when he doesn't have something else he'd rather be doing.

Labs are bred to be people dogs. In your face "love me love me love me" GPs are generally more independent. But their innate wariness of strangers makes a solid obedience foundation even more important than other breeds, especially if you are keeping them as mostly pets.

Both breeds also require a job, both mentally and physically. Labs, especially young ones, require a LOT of physical exercise.

Dogs don't generalize well. Gator has learned that, during training times, you expect a certain level of behavior. I am willing to bet that training is always done in the same general area as well? Instead of working in spot A, go to spot B. If you usually work inside, go out on the porch. Go out to the barn. Sometimes work in the front yard, sometimes in the back. etc Teach him that commands are to be obeyed at all times, no matter when nor where.

 

[dainerra]

classes are also a great way to bond with your dog and can be a lot of fun.
Singe has multiple obedience and therapy dog titles but we still get together routinely with other owners for group training sessions. It's fun for everyone and good for keeping all involved (humans and animals) sharp and focused.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Huh, I forgot about the distractions and teaching the human parts of the classes, those are great points! Maybe I'll have to find a class for him to join.

Yeah, he's very protective of the house/property and car. And tbh we knew nothing at the time, just saw a cute puppy. If we had known, we would have taken socialization and training a lot more seriously. He goes ballistic barking and lunging at the window when ever anyone comes over or delivery people, etc., etc. If you can manage to get a leash on him and/or show him food then he is not as bad and I can get him away and make him sit and down/stay. Once he is away from window and out of that mindset he is good. Though of course you do need to stay there and enforce it. But it's getting him out of that mindset that's the challenge and getting the leash attached can be dangerous. Though he's pretty good now. But once people come inside or he meets them he is perfectly fine and loves people, I guess because of his inner Lab. He also loves people he meets off property. No aggression off property or once they come in at all (I know some dogs get nervous or protective and growl or bite even after they come in), he just likes to put on a big show. And tbh, he's a huge scaredy cat. Hates loud noises. Jumps at a pot dropping. I honestly think he's got some anxiety especially since there's lots of yelling sometimes. So I think it's mostly show.

Anyway, yeah we used to have a Lab and he was a great dog but crazy when he was younger. My dad used to have to hit the tennis ball for like an hour just to take the edge off him. He used to have a racquet and just hit the ball all the way across the yard haha so compared to him, Gator is very laid back and sleeps all day. So I think that's part of why we think he doesn't need as much exercise but in reality, he would probably love exercise. He's always ready to go do something fun. Although he was crazy when he was younger.

And wow you're actually exactly right! Yeah, we always train in the same one or two spots and mostly do the same routine. I will try to mix up locations and routine.

Wow that sure sounds fun and your dog is very handsome!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I actually do like having my dogs (well, the Akita) going nuts at the door. She's my security system. At the same time I expect her to calm down and behave when I tell her to, and she's been doing well with that since we've had various people doing work on and around the property. Like Gator she's actually a mushball but because she's part Akita it does make people not want to mess with her.

Most dogs need more exercise than they seem to need. Large dogs really should get an hour of walking each day, even more than that if their breed is an active type. Mine get 50 minutes on leash and then I encourage them to run around the yard about 10 minutes more. My in-laws used to have some sort of sighthound mix and I ran him 3 to 4 miles 3x a week since a normal walk wasn't cutting it. Neither of mine right now seem interested in running or else I'd be doing that too.