Help My Hound

Q: Dear Jessica,

I am writing this note in response to your ad in the EMC last week.

I have a 1 year one Beagle/Walker Hound mix. Who we purchased from a family ( not a breeder ) at 12 weeks old. His mother was a pure Walker Hound and very friendly. His father was the Beagle which I have no background on.
He is a very good hunter...even at a very young age and has no issues with people at all.

The problem I am having is introducing him to new dogs. to me he seems scared of them and nips at first, if he likes them he starts to play immediately; if not, he keeps growling and attacking them. He seems to respect dogs that will put him down if he gets out of line, but attacks dogs that won't fight back (ie: puppies). I don't even try introducing him to puppies or little dogs...it never works out.

To correct this problem, I muzzle him to introduce him to new dogs; and then take it off if they start to play. We have been attending a dog park since he was 3 months old so he would be well socialized; I guess that didn't work! If we are back in the bush and he meets a (large) dog (off leash) there are no issues. If he doesn't like him, he just goes off hunting.

Can you help.

A: The answer to this question will appear in my next article in the EMC Record News