Don’t Let the Cute Face Fool You

Look at this cutie. You would never guess that she’s a handful—but then again, she is part Beagle, so maybe we should have known better.

Whenever we bring a new dog home, we crate train from day one. It’s always worked well for us. The dogs learn routine, feel secure, and everyone stays safe while we’re away. Easy, right?

Enter Tiana.

From the start, crate training her was… an adventure. First, she chewed on the bars. Then, just when we thought she was settling in, she figured out how to open the crate door. Not push. Not bend. Open.

Okay. Time for Plan B.

We bought a four-foot gate and created a little “yard” around her crate. The idea was that she’d feel like part of the pack while still being contained. Problem solved—or so we thought.

Nope.

Every time we came home, Tiana was casually roaming the house as if nothing unusual had happened. No gate. No crate. No explanation.

So one day, while we were home, we decided to investigate. We put her in the crate area and pretended to nap. What we witnessed was nothing short of impressive.

This tiny dog used the crate and fencing like a rock climber—placing her paws just right, climbing up onto the top of the crate, and then leaping to the ground like a furry escape artist.

That was it. Case closed.

Tiana officially earned full run of the house that day. Some dogs are meant to be crated. Others are apparently meant to outsmart every system you put in front of them.

She may be small. She may be adorable. But underestimate her at your own risk.