Tackling agression

Question
hello there,
Its been 2 weeks since i'be bought a 2 months female beagle. She is adorable but gets aggressive and bites at times. At times she gets very difficult to handle. I ve tried ignoring her, getting her chew bones, cuddling her..but in vain. I cant handle her.... Will she be that agressive always or is it just a phase...Please help.  

Answer
Hi Napur,

Thank you for writing to me about your new beagle puppy.  It is highly unlikely that a 2 month old puppy is showing aggression.  I think you are misreading her playfulness and what we refer to as "mouthing."

Beagles are high energy working dogs...they are used for hunting and have been bred to have a great deal of stamina.  They need a tremendous amount of exercise and something to keep their minds busy..they need to be tracking something.  A tired dog is a good dog so be sure that your puppy gets a ton of exercise in the form of at least 2 walks a day of one hour each (vigorous walks, not strolls).  In addition to the walks you can also throw a ball, or a frisbee.  Under no circumstances do I recommend rough housing with this puppy.  That is a perfect way to raise an aggressive dog.

Additionally, your dog is "mouthing" which is common to all puppies.  This is something that puppies in the litter do with one another to learn about bite inhibition.  In other words, they need to learn just how hard to bite down with their sharp little teeth so that they don't hurt another dog or a person.  This is trial and error but what you can do to help teach your dog this skill is when she bites down on your hand too hard just let out a "yip" or screech, just like another puppy would.  Keep doing this.  Do not hit or harshley scold your dog as it will only traumatize her and could lead to aggression.

I suggest that you buy some books and tapes that will teach you about raising a happy, healthy, mannerly dog using positive reinforcement.  The work you put into your puppy now will last a lifetime.  And remember..this is a mere baby...be patient.  You wouldn't expect a one year old or even a two year old to be perfect.  Don't expect that of your puppy.  Make learning fun.

Here is some recommended reading and DVD viewing:

THE SAFE DOG HANDBOOK - A COMPLETE GUIDE TO PROTECTING YOUR POOCH, INDOORS AND OUT
by Melanie Monteiro
  
FAMILY FRIENDLY DOG TRAINING - A SIX WEEK PROGRAM FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG
by Patricia McConnell & Aimee Moore   
  
WHEN PIGS FLY - TRAINING SUCCESS WITH IMPOSSIBLE DOGS
by Jane Killion
Some breeds of dogs and mixes have a reputation as "impossible" to train. Hounds, terriers, and other breeds are often called pig-headed and even untrainable. Learn these "Pigs Fly" methods and take advantage of the natural strengths of these independent and intelligent dogs.   
  
BEFORE & AFTER GETTING YOUR PUPPY
by Ian Dunbar
  
WAY TO GO! - HOW TO HOUSETRAIN A DOG OF ANY AGE
by Patricia McConnell and Karen London   
  
TRAINING THE COMPANION DOG I - SOCIALIZATION & TRAINING DVD
by Ian Dunbar
  
THE PUPPY WHISPERER - A COMPASSIONATE, NONVIOLENT GUIDE TO EARLY TRAINING AND CARE
by Paul Owens; Terence Cranendonk
  
THE WHOLE DOG JOURNAL HANDBOOK OF DOG AND PUPPY CARE AND TRAINING
by Nancy Kerns
  
Learning the correct and kind way to raise a puppy will result in the dog of your dreams.

Best of luck,
Shelley Davis