[Greta]

I accidentally came across this site, and as I am an owner of 3 rescued Beagles, I decided I must join.

My first beagle was rescued 8 years ago, at 10 weeks. A young woman thought she could keep him locked up 10--12 hours a day. After two days she tried to return him, and the PET SHOP wouldn't return her money. His name is Ben.

Two years ago we got a companion for Ben. She came from animal control, and had been turned out on the street in heat in Dec. We live in the mountains of AZ so it is cold here at that time of year. Our little 12 inch female is named Bella.

Our third Beagle came to us a year ago last Sept. He is a foster failure. We were asked to foster him for Labor Day weekend, and he fit our pack so well we decided to keep him. He is a very loving boy, so we named him Baci (kisses in Italian).

 

[BadgersMom]

Hi Greta,

Welcome! to the forum! I have to ask... I have one beagle (1 year) and I am thinking about getting another as a companion for him... Ae three Beagles easier than one???

 

[Greta]

BadgersMom--
We got our 2nd Beagle when the first was 1 yr. Our 1st had almost a year of obedience training. Our trainer said to wait until the 1st was well-behaved to get a second. Our 1st suffered from terrible anxiety, which went away as soon as we got the second dog. We fostered the third for a Labor Day weekend, and he fit in so well, my husband said: In for a penny in for a pound. That is it. We love having the three. They are so much fun. The latter dogs learned a great deal from the first, who is a therapy dog and my service dog.

 

[BadgersMom]

Wow! Thats great! Is there a program you took to get your Beagle to be a service dog? I would love to do something like that with Badger. Do you have to do the training when they are puppies?

 

[Greta]

It is best to start with pups. Service dogs help owners with health problems. Therapy dogs visit hospitals, rest homes etc. Some places require certified therapy dogs, but many places, including the VA here in Prescott AZ don't. Our dogs aren't certified. The first one was obedience trained in classes for a year, and I worked with him 5 days a week for a year. The other two learned to follow his lead at the hospital. My service dog the first, flies on planes, goes through long security lines, etc. with me. He is a little marvel. Still has his spunk and independence too.