Couple issues

Question
Hi,
Our beagle, Buzz, is 11 weeks old now. There is only one concern we have, and a question on another issue. First issue, I don't have a ruler, but I estimate he is between 8-10 inches tall. We weighed him 2 days ago and he was 6.7 pounds. My girlfriend looks at him and is concerned that he looks like he is getting chubby. I think he looks fine. However, I have read about other people's beagles and they are all saying that at 12 weeks, theirs were between 10-12 pounds. Buzz has only gained 2 pounds in the 2 weeks that we have had him, so it doesn't seem he will even reach 10 pounds by the time this week is done. We feed him 3 times a day, giving him 1/2 cups each meal (as instructed on his puppy food bag). Is he underweight, chubby, or normal? The second issue isn't a big one because he is only 11 weeks old and we have only had him for 2 weeks. That issue is the potty training. He did very well the first week, so we were thinking he was going to do well with it. After that first week, however, it seems that we take him out very often for about 20-30 minutes each time, and he does nothing. But the second we set him down inside, he walks off, and pees on the carpet (doesn't poop much inside). After we told a friend that we keep his water bowl filled all day, he suggested that we give him water only during his meals, and after we do our daily outside exercizes, or when he is panting from thirst. We did that, and it reduced the peeing inside significantly. However, it seems that is only because he doesn't need to pee as much instead of wanting to go outside. We take him out after every time he sleeps, after his meals, and times in between when we feel he might be looking for a potty spot. However, it seems the only time he always goes potty outside is after he wakes up in his kennel in the morning or after naps. But I assume that he holds it due to his natural instinct to not pee where he sleeps. Any other occasion results in what I said before. We praise him with affection and treats when he potties outside. As said before, I'm not concerned with this because he is so young and we have had him only 2 weeks. I'm sure it is more of an issue that only giving time will I see progress. I am just wondering if there is anything that we are missing in our housetraining method as far as you can see. Hope to hear back soon. Thanks.

Answer
Hello!
You are feeding it exactly how you are supposed to, actually more some people only feed them 1/2 cup twice a day because beagles have a trait of being overweight. Have you ever heard of "the runt of the litter?" That is what my beagle Honey is. She was underweight when she needed to be more, and she is very small. Now at 2 years she is still small and people at times call her "puppy". I think the case of Buzz is that he may be the "runt of his litter". On the other hand dogs have sudden growth spurts all the time and one day he could be small and the next he just be where he needs to be. I don't think anything is serious with his weight, espically because you say he IS eatting. I think he is normal. Potty training is very difficult and I tell all my patients the same thing, the beagle is one of the HARDEST breeds to train, espically in the puppy stage. I also start by telling my patients that you need to keep in mind they are in a important stage when there bladders are still growing. Its hard for them to figure them out. I don't ever like telling my patients to take their water up at anytime. I think that they should have access to water at all times. In some states it is illegal to not provide water and reasonable shelter to a animal. So I would leave his water out at all times. Try taking him out 15-20 minutes after he eats, and drinks. They are sniffers and they aren't going to care about using the bathroom right when they get outside, but you have to be patient. Until you reach reasonable progress purchase the puppy training pads they are cheap. Set them where he is having accidents then day by day move them closer and closer to the door that you take him out of to use the bathroom. Eventually you will take the pad away this will teach him to go to the door when he needs to go to the bathroom. This will take time you need to PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE. Everytime he gets it right for a while praise him, as well as educate him when he has a accident say NO! firmly. I hope this has helped, if you need anymore help please don't hesitate to ask. Best wishes!