What about installing a dog door and having a certain area cordoned off in the house where he/she can go for warmth and water?

I've always had good luck with doggie doors.

Mitch

Ok first of all you dont know me or my level of experience with dogs.... Im almost 40 years old and have had dogs in my life for thirty years.....the last ten years I finally got my head out of my butt and realized that I was not a good fit for dogs because I am not home enough.....there is a difference between going into a crate of his own accord (out of comfort due to being locked in the crate for 8 hours a day) and being confined to a crate for 8 hours a day.... would you put a cat in a crate for that length of time?....how bout a tang in a 10g?....I applaud you for your involvement with your dogs ...you do way more than the vast majority of people to exercise your dogs....I will agree with you that a dog being comfortable with a crate is a good thing for all the reasons you posted...except for one.....you said yourself that when you havnt crated your dogs they have chewed your furniture...You need to learn why a dog starts acting out to begin with....they are not bad dogs....they are not stupid....they know they arent supposed to chew/pee/bark....they act out because you are not there for 8 hours a day!....so we respond by putting them in a cage.....really responsible!...think for yourself and stop listening to everything you you read...... All a dog wants is to be with "top dog"....which is us...when we leave them home alone some dogs act out....the only way a dog knows how.....they pee on the couch or they howl all day long or they chew up your ____ (insert object here)....people really need to think about whether or not they are right for dogs rather than "is that dog right for me"

Aquattro - just wondering if the dogs sleep in the kennels at night as well?

One does, the other sleeps on my bed. The new puppy is crated at night for obvious reasons, but my male BC goes to his (open) crate on his own.

and yes, the "bed post incident" is my own fault, it was a busy week at work and they didn't get out as much as usual, hence the bored chewing.
I am certainly not condoning crates as babysitters, simply a way to keep dogs safe. I do know people that overcrate, and the dogs suffer for it, and this to me is not acceptable. Should all dog "owners" have dogs? Absolutely not. But people not familiar with crates often jump in with the cruelty factor (and I used to be one of these people, having had dogs for my entire long life).
But, having used crates for the last couple of years, I'm now a big proponent of crates (when used properly). They aren't for everyone, but they are a huge asset for me in managing 3 dogs. For the most part, my dogs can be left loose in the house for a couple of hours, but with wrestling, running around, etc, it's better to tire them out, then let them nap while I'm out.
Perhaps some of you know people that abuse crating, but within my circle of dog sport enthusiasts, we all put considerable time, effort and thought into managing our dogs and crates are used as a responsible management tool.
Of course, it's one of those topics that you can't argue to win, I'm just stating what works for me, I have healthy happy well adjusted dogs, and that's my end goal.
If something different produces the same goal for others, then by all means use it.

Met the dog today, seems alright.

What the plan is is we'll take the dog as a trial and if it doesn't work out, the owner has no problem taking him back.

As for how the dog was being kept when the owner was away, seems by their front door there's a bit of an entry-way/landing. There they placed it's bed and would have him on a lead so he could still move around but not into the rest of the house.

Am amazed though when walking him, how strong a beagle is.

I think all you need to keep the beagle happy is a dog house to lay on top of and WWI flight hat!:biggrin:

No, beagles need a challenge....red baron maybe? :)

Congratulations on the addition, hope it goes great and you enjoy him.

Well that was a bust.

Plan was we would take the dog on the weekend but ends up the woman is going to keep the dog. Though my wife was ensured repeatedly before the dog came over and while it was here, she was okay giving it away, when she returned home with it, guess the woman's mother had other thoughts.

Little miffed about explaining this to my 9 year old as went through this a couple of years back with another dog (wife's Aunt family had all agreed they had no time for their dog and then came back for it a few days later). This was why my wife wanted it to be so clear before the Beagle was brought over.

No more private deals, going to the SPCA tomorrow.

Oh no that is hard, but a younger dog is probably better anyway. And it is great that you will rescue a dog hope you find the perfect match. And this way you can pick your own dog that will fit into your lifestyle/family. :biggrin: