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What is the best way to keep a dog happy?

We prefer to keep our dogs outside during the summer, in a kennel, but they cry and howl especially our new dog. They are beagle mixes. They like to be in the house, but I have allergies and they get into things also. Would an invisible fence keep them happier so they can at least run? We tried a shock collar on the new dog and now he just has an annoying sqeal but the barking is gone. We cannot possibly walk the dogs enough to keep them happy.

Public Comments

1. Why not put up a regular fence so they have more room to run around? These are active dogs and are not going to be happy in a kennel.
2. How about trying to make a fenced place for them to be outside? Is that possible?
3. Good food, clean water, attention, love, training, living as part of the family.. Are they in kennels runs and can move around, or kennel as in crates? If an invisible fence would all them more room to run and play, it' s likely that the invisible fence would be the better idea ! Do you hunt with the dogs, or just pets out in a kennel.. I guess I don't understand the situation well..
4. An invisible fence might make them happier since they could run around instead of being in a kennel all day. However, an invisible fence takes training at first. Training also makes dogs happy. They like to have "jobs". If you get them more bones and toys, perhaps they are less likely to get into your things. You could also close doors to the rooms that have things your dogs typically get into. Again, I reinforce training - a little goes a long way.
5. People always think letting a dog run around in a yard is enough excersize when mostly it's not. Dogs need to go for long walks, it's simply part and parcel of what they need to avoid becoming problem dogs and being happy. I'd never use a shock collar, there are better ways of getting a dog to stop barking. If you don't have a fence, an invisible fence would be fine. I would advise that if you don't have the time to walk the dogs,. there possibly could be someone in your area who could walk your dog for you.
6. A fence would probably help for sure, room to run is good. The best way to burn a dogs energy is running, you could try jogging or running with dogs to burn off more energy than walking, if your up for it. The thing with beagles is that they are hunters and they bark a lot. I had beagles when I was younger. If they used to be in the house it may take a bit for them to adjust, but they should adjust.
7. I have a beagle, and have had beagle mixes in the past also. All of them have lived in the house and are just outside for a small part of the day. They are barkers, that is just the way Beagles are....but you need to give them lots of attention...and not just stick them in a kennel. They need lots of play time with people, they need exercise, toys, things to do. I am allergic to dogs but I love dogs too much not to have them so I take medication everyday. If you are not willing to take meds why would you have dogs if you are allergic to them. I do not know where you live but lots of places get really hot in the summer. I myself would never keep my dogs outside all the time especially in extreme heat or cold. I love beagles and hate to think of them stuck in a kennel in the heat! I would reconsider having them come in the house at least part of the time. I would look into obedience classes. Beagles are stubborn so it will take some time, but they are very affectionate and need to be very much part of the family. Any bored dog will bark, but beagles bark much more.
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