Hi I posted a while back about getting my new beagle puppy Caleb. Thanks to all the nice replies I had.

I had forgotton how much there is to arrange. I have been reading beagle books and reading the postings and trying to soak up advice. I had been looking for a new part time job but there is not much about at present, still Caleb will only be left (crated) for two hours at the most then his dog sitter comes in and sees to him and then my husband will be home. His dog sitting care costs more than my 10 year olds childcare!! Still dogs grow up quicker than children. He will have to get used to our 8 year old longhaired torti cat who is more than likely to run off when she sees him as she is a big cowardy custard.

My biggest worry at present is the trip home and him crying at night, still will have to be prepared. Took me an age to sort out the dog training, found a lady who does clicker training and is prepared to let my 10 year old daughter train him in tandem with myself as she wants to do junior handling with him

Everyone I know who is not doggy thinks I am mad as I am always going on about him but I dont think people who dont have dogs understand the bond between owners and their fluffy "children".

Cant wait till we go and pick him up, two weeks this sat. its like having my second child, any one wishing to give me advice will be happy to receive it esp fellow beagle owners.

Would very much like ideas on how other people have encouraged their children with the junior handling as we are both very much novices at the showing world, but I have had beagles before and know that their bonkerz.

Hi there,
Its good to see that you are doing your homework before collecting your puppy. Its invaluable to pick up as much advice as possible. I don't have a Beagle, but an Old English Sheepdog pup. We collected him last Saturday and you can read my trials and tribulations under the 'crying' posting on this site - it may help, as there was some excellent advice came out of it.
I think the best advice I had and the best tip I could pass on so far, is to think of him as you would a human baby. He will need you to be his Mum when he leaves his beagle family and no amount of reading can quite prepare you for the real thing, although it is incredibly exciting and rewarding when it starts to go right. We adore our puppy and he is starting to settle in well now, although it hasn't been straight forward for us to start with and I have had an OES puppy before, so in theory, should know what I am doing. They are however, like human babies, all individual and all you can do is try the ideas given by others until you see what works for you and your pup - there is no right and wrong way, provided that you are always kind, fair and firm.
I do wish you well with Caleb and hope that he is exactly what you have been waiting for, but remember he will largely be what you make him and that is quite a responsibility - good luck!
Lorna

im so gald the your daughter is showing an interest! as a junior handler myself (only got just over a year left tho!!!:'(!) i would say to you daughter to enjoy it!!!! if she enjoys it then thats the main thing. the next thing to do is to get her, yourself and the dog to ringcraft classes. Some now have a special time for junior handlers and then its the adults turn!

To engourage you daughter enter her into handling classes at shows when your puppy is old enough.

Also for your daughter there is a club called the YKC (young kennel club) and it encourages youngsters to work with thier dogs and has many fun activities thoughout the year and free entery to crufts!!!!! (and other doggy events!). you can find out more about this from the kennel club.

I hope that you all enjoy it. i know ive gone on about ur daughter showing and handling but dont forget u must do the work as well!

Good luck with your new puppy

Ice