When I adopted my 1 1/2 year old beagle, Timo, he seemed VERY

When I adopted my 1 1/2 year old beagle, Timo, he seemed VERY docile and easy going: even after meeting him 3 times before deciding to adopt him. As it turns out, he was just shy in he shelter. A few days after coming home, I found he was an absolute terror! He destroys EVERYTHING: chews on anything he can, rips my curtains down, and jumps all over everyone and everthing. For the past 7 months, I've tried patient training (on my own) with persistance and positive reinforcement. Every time Timo and I take one step forward, we then take two steps back. Now that it is cold, he refuses to use the outside as a potty. In the past day and 1/2, he's gone #2 in his crate and in my bathroom and #1 three times throughout my apt. I can never tell him no because when I do, he freaks out and starts running all around like a wild animal and I cant get near him. I just don't know what to do anymore, I feel like I just can't keep up with him and having to literally CONSTANTLY monitor him. I would feel awful taking him back to a shelter because he can be very sweet and is great with my nephews. Are there any programs that are free or VERY low cost that could help me train him? Or, if I'm not able to keep him anymore, what can I do to assure he is in a good home?

Optional Information:
Age: 2; Male; Breed: Beagle/Mix

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

I think you might want to try the nothing in life is free program with him to help put him under your control more. Right now he thinks he rules the world which doesn't work really well for humans and so often does not work out well at all for the dogs.
You can read about the nothing in life is free program here
www.ddfl.org/behavior/nilif.htm
See if the shelter has any behavior help programs lots of them have started them up to help adopters keep pets.
I also suggest that you take him for a LONG walk every single day. The more you can tire him out the better and a long walk may well force him to potty on the trip offering opportunities for praising him for right behavior.
If he likes to chase a ball spend some time making him chase and return it every day too.
A tired dog is a much better behaved dog in the house.
I used to walk my small dogs at least a mile every evening - got so even I liked it! and further on the weekend days. We worked on training they got to run at a local park and then we came home.
Took the energy edge off of them nicely.
If you cannot keep him see if www.petfinder.com can connect you to a local rescue group who will help rehome him. They list animals for adoption but also list groups who do this.
Hope this helps you!

Edited by NHolmes on December 3 2005 at 12:14 AM

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