A.L. asks from Magna, UT on August 10, 2009
Sweet Beagle
My husband bought a beagle for my birthday as a surprise gift a few years ago. Now that we have a home (doesn't have a fenced yard and can't afford to add one) the beagle has to be on a tether a lot of the time if he wants to be outside. He's had no formal obedience classes and he's pretty good about obeying my family and my parents-he can sit, stay, dance, lay down, and shake- but he's still a beagle at heart and bolts down the street if he gets off his tether or leash. I can't walk him during the day because of my two boys (my jogging double stroller is broken) and my husband doesn't really want to walk him when he's home because he rides his bike to and from work (12 miles total). I feel like he is very depressed at our home because he's lowest on the priorities because my husband and my son's needs come before him. I want to find a good home for him but I'm sad about giving him up. He's a GREAT dog, very excellent with kids- he's NEVER bitten anyone. He just isn't getting the love and attention at our home that I feel he should be getting. He's stayed with my parents off and on and he is just such a happier creature that I really see that he needs a home with a yard to play and a family that will play with him lots since beagles have so much energy. My question is this- should I be trying to scrounge up the $$ to find an obedience class we can afford and just try longer with him- or do we try to get him to a family that will appreciate him and give him the attention he needs?? I feel bad giving him up but I think that may be what is best for him- do you agree? I'm willing to put my sadness over getting rid of him aside if that's what's best for him.
More Answers
S.B. answers from Salt Lake City on August 11, 2009
Could you put in a cheaper fence (chain link) and then upgrade to a better fence? The only reason I ask that is because pretty soon your boys are going to need a fenced yard too!
J.G. answers from Salt Lake City on August 11, 2009
He really does need a yard to play in, and I don't know how the new tethering law will affect you anyway (it was on Fox 13 last night- no more than 8 hrs before you are fined)
You said he has stayed with your parents before- might you be able to extend those stays, or even make it semi-permanent? It makes it a little less difficult to give up a beloved pet if they are still in the family.
K.C. answers from Salt Lake City on August 11, 2009
I would try to walk him - yourself - before your husband leaves in the morning and again after dinner, while hubby watches the boys. It will help you have a little time to yourself, and your sweet doggie will love it!
J.N. answers from Salt Lake City on August 11, 2009
It really isn't that he hasn't gone to obedience classes. It's that he is a Beagle and always will be. He's not going to be happy in the house or tethered in the yard. You're going to have to decide, are you willing to spend some more time with him (walk him, take him to the dog park, etc) and maybe a bit of money for an inexpensive fence, or will he be better off with a family that can give him the time and attention he needs?
I know it's hard. We had to give up a sweet, cute, loving dog because we simply did not have the means to take care of her any more. It was hard on everybody. But she ended up with a family that could give her what she needed. I would advertise in a local publication (ksl.com is good if you life in N. Utah) and ask around $20 for him. It's better than giving him for free, because someone who is willing to spend a bit of money for a good dog is more likely to take care of him. If that doesn't work, you can take him to the humane society. They charge something to take in animals, but they also adopt them out better (and keep them longer) than the animal shelter.
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