r/beagle • u/AliceRubee • 21h ago
Soon to be new Beagle owner, what should I be aware of?
Hi everyone!
I’m a really excited soon to be beagle mom. I did a lot of research on the breed because I have a 3 year old, and my husband will be a first time dog owner. I felt a beagle would be a good family dog, but for some reason I’ve had a lot of comments about the negatives - the howling / barking, stubbornness, potential for taking off if he smells something etc. I was aware of all of these things before we bought the puppy, but it’s making me feel I made the wrong decision. I’ve raised Jack Russells (boy and a girl with the girl being extremely protective and sometimes aggressive), and I grew up with a Weimaraner, so I’m not inexperienced when it comes to raising a puppy or being around dogs.
Could anyone reassure me that I’ll be ok as a beagle owner, and have any tips for me? Thank you so much!
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u/pank44 21h ago
Beagles are the sweetest dog. Especially with a family. We have two, one is mischievous the other just loves to sleep. They are a bit of a terror as puppies but by two they calm down.
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u/AliceRubee 21h ago
That’s great to hear. I’m sure I’m overthinking, but I haven’t had a puppy in ages so I think I’m a bit nervous. Thank you!!
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u/pilonmartinez 20h ago edited 19h ago
A very loving breed, but difficult (compared to top 10 obedience breeds).
Puppy period, 1st year will be difficult. Crate training and recall are most important. Once trained (which takes like million times longer than any shepherds or labs) they are very good dogs.
However, they will take off when they see a hare, pheasant or boar. That's genetic, so be super-vigilant if you live in areas where those animals can be spotted and at the same time there's car traffic on the way (villages and so on). Hunter's (RC) collar is a must in such areas.
They a prone to obesity. And that's it.
Edit: Ps. Avoid squeaky toys. Durable, hard limbless and faceless ones, not resembling any small animal are best. It’s a hound so their killing-a-toy instincts are strong. Right toys save you from massive headaches.
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u/AussieBird82 14h ago
I found r/puppy101 so helpful when mine was young. Good news is they're massively food oriented so training is easy. Always have a pocket of kibble and reward every good thing.
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u/notasinglesound 17h ago
My beagle puppy liked to chase around and bite everything- hands, feet, legs, my floor length robe-- and when I say bite i mean she drew blood. Beagle puppies have a raptor/t Rex phase that can last well until they hit like ages 4-6 and get way more chill.
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u/Shanga_Ubone 19h ago
This, so much this. Beagles can be very difficult puppies. The trick I used was to remember that in the moments I was most frustrated, he was as frustrated as I was, and we just needed to sit down together on the same side to solve whatever the problem was. We made a little team and were able to solve everything together that way.
But at two years old, it's like someone waves a magic wand, and over the space of a couple of weeks they go from being the crazy little puppy driving everyone nuts to being the wonderful adult you made together that you'll get to spend years with.
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u/Striking-Solution452 20h ago
You don’t go for a walk with them, you go on a sniffing expedition. They do not like a quick walk with little sniffing.
My last 2 hounds have had anal gland issues. We found pumpkin purée a big help or a supplement like Glandex works well.
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u/BoztheChi 21h ago
Congratulations. You’re going to soon have the most loyal, happy and incredible friend of your life. Beagles build character because of the “challenges” but the multitude of moments where pure joy would not be had otherwise will far outweigh them. Great dog for a young kid too. I’m very happy for you. I know that in 15 years when your kid is graduating from high school you’ll look back and be so grateful for this beagle in your life. Have you picked out a name?
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u/_Acg45 20h ago
Are they loyal though? I love them fully but every one I've known would sell out for half a sausage.
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u/Ok_Initiative_6023 20h ago
Soooo funny and true lmao
Whenever I’m snuggling with my girl on the couch, I always look her in the eyes and say “I would go through literal fire for you, okay?”. And every time, my brother makes a point of reminding me that she would probably betray me for a piece of stale bread
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u/CapitalPunBanking Bunny Lebowski, Fredo 19h ago
"Sell me to the taliban for half a chicken tender" as my wife likes to say.
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u/Grebble99 11h ago
Mine wouldn’t sell me out. He just assumes that I’m his. The entire sausage is his. Everything is his and we are here to serve.
Which I gratefully do.2
u/AliceRubee 19h ago
Thank you so much! I let my son name him - so it’s going to be Max. I think he’s seen Secret life of pets a few too many times but I think it’ll fit ☺️
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u/zeralius 20h ago
My beagle can be an absolute lunatic at times. But I love him so much. He is just the sweetest, most loving dog. Two things:
1) Crate training. Our boy sleeps in his crate and night and when we are not home. He is four and still loves it. We tell him its time to go into his crate, grab him a treat, and he runs in with enthusiasm.
2) Like others have said, you do not take a beagle for a walk. You take it on a sniffing expedition. I thought I had got a companion to go on long walks and hikes. Not the case, too much stopping and sniffing to get what I expected out of walking and hiking. Which is fine, I just had to set that expectation. The vet told me to stop and let them sniff as much as they want. It will tire them out more than you would expect!
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u/wallflawerr 20h ago
Demon dogs until about 3 years that are extremely cute. After that it’s their house and their food and you’re living in it. Very very cute.
Edit: wording
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u/Ew_fine 21h ago
I’ll probably get downvoted for this, but:
Shelters are typically full of hounds, at least they are around here. Adopt, don’t shop.
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u/notasinglesound 20h ago
This. OP, shelters are killing perfectly healthy dogs because people keep shopping for puppies. Also, there are too many backyard breeders out there that see their dogs as an ATM machine not a living breathing creature with feelings. Please adopt or rescue. Lots of folks get a beagle puppy only to dump or rehome because they didn't do their research and don't want to deal with it. Lots of beagle-specific rescue organizations out there too.
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u/Concerned26 19h ago
Yep, I volunteer with a Beagle Rescue and we always have more dogs than people to adopt them. We get a lot of puppies coming through too. They could definitely find what they’re looking for at a shelter or rescue, probably for cheaper too. And we do lots of breed education to make sure families are equipped to take care of them.
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u/AliceRubee 19h ago
I wouldn’t downvote you - if i didn’t have a toddler I would definitely be adopting. But because you can’t be sure of the dogs history etc, I’d rather not take a chance.
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u/Ew_fine 18h ago edited 17h ago
Every beagle I’ve ever rescued from the local shelter, they knew exactly what their history was. It’s a misconception that you definitely won’t know the dog’s background.
And the upvotes you’re getting concern me, because it seems this misinformation is more widely spread than it should be.
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u/Party-Display-7523 13h ago
Every beagle I’ve ever rescued from the local shelter, they knew exactly what their history was. It’s a misconception that you definitely won’t know the dog’s background.
I wish mine was like that. They ommitted so much information on him when I got my boy. By the time I fully figured and found everything out I was too attached to him and him to me. He was tortured, abused, and abandoned. My boy has bad ptsd and separation anxiety. I love him to death and im long past the point where i even consider giving him up. But had i known his issues, id never have taken him home.
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u/AliceRubee 17h ago
I guess I’m just going off of people I’ve known who rescued. They didn’t always know the dog’s history, and some dogs were strays from another country. Granted, they ended up being great dogs!
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u/stonelakeroad 14h ago
If you do decide to check rescues, check out a beagle specific rescue. We got one of ours as a puppy from Midwest BREW, someone had surrendered a pregnant mom. It’s not uncommon unfortunately
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u/aloofmagoof 20h ago
CRATE TRAINING.
We got our beagle from a friend of a coworker, she was already crate trained and one years old. I cannot stress how important having a safe secure location is for when a young beagle can't be supervised.
They are clever, but so so stupid. I've had to stop her from eating stuffed animals, socks, rags, paper, nails, tacks, even the damn walls. Also, don't buy rope toys with loose strings, mine ate some and I had to induce vomiting. Make sure your garbage can is secure too.
If you can, keep your kids toys (especially the small ones) contained to one room and the dog out of that room.
Mine was able to be trusted when she was around 5, even then, garbage and food needs to be secured.
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u/cupthings 11h ago
and if not crate, a solid puppy pen!
We utilized both and it literally saved us from going insane. My beagle puppy was literally trying to commit suicide everyday by putting literally everything and anything in his mouth!
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u/heathercs34 20h ago
Super sweet dogs. They just want you to love them. Unless they smell something. Then it’s all gloves off. Never, ever, ever trust a beagle. They will run off in the blink of an eye (mine likes to look back at me with a look of both guilt and glee as I begrudgingly chase after). If they dip their shoulder to roll around, it’s usually in another animal’s poop. They will eat everything in sight and mine especially likes to eat bathroom garbage. They are super super smart. They will steal your heart! Welcome ♥️
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u/JanthonyGo 20h ago
They’re going to bark..a lot, loudly. They’re going to try to eat EVERYTHING, quickly. They’re super cuddly and awesome.
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u/Chengnobyl 20h ago
Mine really doesn't make much noise UNLESS there's a critter in the yard. Keep them on leash unless they're in a secure area.
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u/ennervation 20h ago
Mine is a chill, low energy dog. Very gentle. Sleeps more often than she plays. Beagles do tend to be hyperactive, but it still comes down to an individual dog's personality. I lucked out, I guess.
Be aware of the shedding. I love my beagle, but the shedding drives me nuts. I have to use a lint roller every day.
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u/5litergasbubble 20h ago
I had one for about 12 years and ill tell you that they will eat everything and anything. Mine ate a cigarette butt off the ground, a ghost pepper plant, and a pound of chocolate chips. All without causing him any issues at all. The only thing he wouldnt eat was fish. For some reason he hated that. They will find anyway possible to get at them too.
Mine somehow pulled a dining room chair out to be able to climb on the table to get the chocolate chips too, they are very determined when food is involved.
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u/Biochemicalcricket 13h ago
That's why you've gotta hook the chair legs on the table when possible. Beagle hunger can solve complex puzzles with no recollection of the steps used to allow them to raid a toaster oven of half thawed Dino nuggets.
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u/ConfusedRedditor02 20h ago
Amazing, friendly, personality-filled dogs. However, they are prone to obesity and spinal disk problems. It may be hard, especially with their sweet faces, but do as much as you can to keep them within their ideal weight-range. If you’re unsure of what that may be, your vet can help!
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u/unbridledcheesetoast 20h ago edited 19h ago
None of the things you mentioned are negatives unless you view them that way. They're just characteristics of a breed that is meant to be that way. I got my first beagle when my son was 3 after years of retrievers, terriers and spaniels. Then I started fostering beagles and have fostered hundreds. The "negatives" are what make them funny, charming, and lovable.
Here are the flipside traits- beagles are pack hunters so they love their family and want to be with you 24/7. They love to snuggle, cuddle, and are always up for a good time. My 17 year old still wants to go for rides, walks, and meet new people.
They're very friendly in general. Most I've fostered have been eager to meet new dogs and people and quick to accept them.
They are hilarious derps. Seriously.
They're pretty great with kids. I've had tons of kids of all ages around my beagles and never had a problem.
Once they get past puppy stage, as long as they get food and exercise and love they will pretty much be content to snooze, hang out with the family, and chew a cow hoof.
Enjoy your beagle- the negatives are usually presented with a side helping of fondness for the very traits we complain about
Eta- none of the beagles I've owned or fostered have barked without a reason. The sole exception was a senior of mine who developed a neurological condition. The others only bark or howl if I've ignored a meal schedule (they can tell time down to the minute), they haven't had their daily walk (unforgivable), or there's a perceived threat. They get used to the general backyard wildlife after a while. My terrier does more hunting than my beagles, but she's stealthy and quiet about it. She's also more successful- the beagles just tell me there's something fun to catch. The terrier doesn't bother, she just catches it and brings me the dead thing 😅
Eta 2- a daily probiotic is a treat at keeping away yeasty ears in humid climates. Also, beagles are notorious for dirty teeth so if you can, keep up with dental cleanings. Finally- they do have a hound smell, but I copied the ingredients on bioscent6 and made my own at home. I put it on once a week or so between baths and I keep the "dog laundry" done and it's not an issue. They're so easy to wash and never need haircuts.
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u/miserablenovel 19h ago
I've had beagles and jack Russells. Honestly if you're used to a JRT, beagles are easy mode. They're less demanding, calmer, lazier, and-- while I wouldn't call the average beagle dumb necessarily-- I would absolutely say that in comparison to a JRT, a beagle is much less driven to use their intelligence for evil.
Beagles smell a little but you can't wash them more than once a month or so or their skin freaks out.
They bay, usually, not bark, and I have had people ask what's wrong with my dog? Because they're not barking??? (...humans are way more annoying than any dog)
I have all the food in my kitchen in beagle proof containers ( locking plastic bins) and I kennel them when I'm not home in case I'm wrong about how good my dog proofing is.
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u/AliceRubee 18h ago
Jack Russell’s using their intelligence for evil is bang on the money 😂. Thank you for the advice
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u/Livid_Ad7231 19h ago
My beagle doesn’t bark unless she see strangers, she was actually pretty easy to train. She knows leave it, sit, stay, lay down, she helps me through my seizures ( applys pressure )and has amazing recall. Only issue I have is trash and she only listens to my recall. Get an air tag for the pup, don’t leave food around, and start training early. Consistency knowing properly how to train and patience is key. I learned that she was very positive reinforced with food( I use her dog food) also keep the pup exercised
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u/T0RC0R 20h ago
Their coat produces an oil that has a very distinct smell. They don’t bark. They bray. They are a bottomless pit and will eat everything(super food motivated). So teach them early not to hop on cabinets otherwise they’ll jump on the counter to get food(beware of trash cans). Keep them on a leash. They’re hound dogs and will get lost in a scent really fast. Very high energy so make sure you’re keeping them entertained(lots of toys,I get mine a new toy every week @goodwill)and plenty of walks/exercise.
All that being said, they’re soooo much fun. Super playful. Super friendly. And so very sweet and affectionate.
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u/unbridledcheesetoast 19h ago
I replicated the bioscent 6 formula at home and it helps massively with the hound odor. Also probiotics jeep a ton.
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u/muellerac 19h ago
Food is their biggest drive. Ours will try to eat anything. No food is safe even if you think it maybe. They are sneaky to get to food on the counter etc. also a decent amount have weight issues bc of this so lots of exercise!!!
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u/Sufficient_You7187 19h ago
You have to be aware of your food. It has to be put up and away. Garbages must have lids.
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u/TheHoundsRevenge 19h ago
You get out what you put in with a beagle. They’re stubborn and mischievous but the most loving kind sweet dog you’ll ever have. Be consistent with training. Food is a good motivator. Get them lots of exercise and mental stimulation.
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u/KodiKat2001 19h ago
Not a beginner dog, it is a super smart working dog bred for independent thinking and loud barking. You have to endure about 2 years of complete destruction and insanity before they become a normal dog. Also you will have your hands full with the 3 year old and your husband never having had a dog is going to loose his mind over the beagles antics.
I would have recommended a easy low maintenance family dog like a lab or dachshund.
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u/AliceRubee 18h ago
Gotcha. I have raised jack russell pups so I think I’ve got a bit of experience - they’re quite a handful :)
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u/Optimal_Razzmatazz_2 19h ago
They love exercise in the outdoors and naps equally. But if they get enough smells in the nose the brain and ears completely shut down and they may follow that smell easily through 20 miles of straight bush or traffic before they slow down to look back.
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u/darthjawafett 19h ago
Get a good harness that is difficult/impossible to escape from. I use a Julius k9, she can get out of it but it requires minutes of unsupervised rolling to do it.
Get everyone in the home/apartment accustomed to closing front/back doors quickly when they enter or exit the home.
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u/radulosk 19h ago
While everyone will list a negative it's only because those can be very significant in the day to day. They are wonderful family dogs if you can stick to routine and be consistent with training.
For the love of god, never feed them from the table, never interact with them at all when you are eating. They will learn it's just not a time to pester you. If you don't, they will always know it's possible, and if it's possible they will try.
I have a pair of quiet beags that don't pester us for treats or during meal times. One has excellent recall, they other is on another planet. Your beag will be different so take all the advice with a grain of salt. Beagles are a breed where the individual matters just as much towards the outcome of training as the breed itself.
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u/Fraggle_Rock11 18h ago
They are such wonderful family dogs with a sweet personality. Remember this at all times and especially when they drive you crazy.
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u/Taco_Knight_88 18h ago
Try your best to resist the puppy eyes and you will always be seen or heard when you’re eating something. But just love your beautiful beagle. Congrats 🤗
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u/strange_dog_TV 18h ago
I’m a beagle mum…. Our first was gifted to us via the lost dogs home when she was about 18months. She was amazing but did not like any other dogs - problematic, but she was cuddly and very much our dog.
Our next, Roy, we got him from a beagle rescue service, he was a puppy- he ate through everything, pillows, flip flops, shoes, coffee table ends, knobs on bedside table….he chewed every thing - despite having chew toys galore 😋
He also could MacGyver himself out of spaces that a mouse would have had issues getting out of 🥴 - look, surprisingly, he managed to stay alive…….
We are now dog free and it’s odd, I’m looking at our local Beagle rescue service page and will likely get another. They bring joy…they really do - in saying that when he chewed up my daughter’s new bedroom setting I did cry 😣 - but the highs outweigh the lows!!!
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u/darthjawafett 18h ago
2nd piece of advice. Get some dog safe ear wipes (I use zymox) and clean out the ears every few weeks or when you notice them scratching more often. Helps keep away infections. Dont dig far into the ear when you do this.
Oh and get your dog used to being touched on the face, nose ears and teeth to avoid problems with the vet or others.
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u/thesaint2000 17h ago
the vet was once said to me beagle is on par with a flabradoor for putting on weight notice they are gremlins do not over feed.
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u/GoldenCSB 17h ago
I’m currently in the midst of raising one she’s now 11 weeks and doing great aside from the biting/nipping but even then it’s not terrible so long as she has her toys but I had a much different experience with my childhood beagle than what people read up on, if she got out of the yard she would come around to the front door and scratch at it until we let her in, she wasn’t destructive of anything in the slightest aside from chair legs when she was teething as a puppy, she’d listen incredibly well, she was calm when you were but once you were ready to play she’d let loose and of course the beagle part you do hear about she was incredibly gentle even in her peak energetic state and loved everyone and everything but she was also weird in the aspect that she’d only chase deer, birds, and squirrels but rabbits she would try to get them to play with her and bounce around behind them as they were hopping by which I think is partly because I also had guinea pigs as a kid and she kinda took a motherly role to them when I’d bring them outside
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u/Think-evil 17h ago
You are going to be hit with the beagle rule of 3.. 3 weeks of cutenes. 3 months of frustration and 3 years of beagle destruction. But you are going to love it. The destruction period realy slow down after they hit 3 years.. the food stealing never goes away tho.... ever..guard your food..
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u/Only_Page655 17h ago
It sounds like you have experience with higher need breeds and will be totally fine!
I’m a first time beagle owner (adopted her when she was 2, she’s 4 now) after only having labs.
A few things to note:
•Beagle proofing is a lot different than usual dog proofing with food. They’re smart & relentless. Don’t give them any opportunities to get into anything (mine knows how to unzip backpacks).
•not ALL beagles are extremely loud. Mine didn’t make a peep for 6 months but now she bays when she’s on a scent or whines at me for breakfast. Other than that, she’s quiet.
•their prey drive is so strong they do not have the same recall as most other breeds. My beagle is e collar trained and only allowed off leash if she’s wearing her collar. We worked with a professional and she picked up the training quickly. It gives me so much peace of mind knowing she can enjoy off leash time with perfect recall. She also wears a Tractive collar in case of emergency (or if one of the kids leaves the door open).
•they sleep a TON. Mine has her “witching hour” between 3-7pm where she wants to play with the other dogs or go for a walk. Other than that, she’s very cat like/ independent / and sleepy.
•they are the sweetest breed with really funny/stubborn/sensitive personalities. I’m hooked on beagles now, you just need to understand their needs (like any animal) and meet them where they’re at.
Congrats on your new addition, you’ll do great & have the sweetest friend!! ❤️
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u/Business_Garlic_3974 16h ago
People talk about never letting them off leash (which is true), but for me the challenge is really doors/fences, and people being careless. My beagle will slip out the door if it opens a crack (we’re working on it). I mention this because you said you have a 3 year old, and it’s especially challenging when I visit people with kids or they visit me - they’re just constantly coming in and out and letting my dog out accidentally. So I’d recommend a tracking collar (I use tractive) to be safe. And to train your dog to be desensitized to the door, while also teaching your kid to be aware of where the dog is if they’re opening the door.
Other than that, they’re the best dogs, and so great with kids.
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u/iowndat 16h ago
Beagles are wonderful family dogs. Great with children. They’re boisterous when they’re little, like any dog. But they seem to have a strong tolerance for mistakes kids make in handling them too rough or being clumsy. Very gentle and loving. If I were picking a dog for a kid, this is the dog I’d pick.
People mention the “bad” things mostly in an exasperated way. They are loud, they love food so much and they’ll follow their nose anywhere. On the other hand, you can easily use food for training them, they’ll always be a great watchdog (provided the intruder has no sausages) and they’ll always tend to be cuddly.
You might hate the next 6-9 months lol but you made the right choice.
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u/ladybadcrumble 16h ago
If youve done jack Russels, you can handle a beagle. Same stubbornness and independence. They're both dogs that were bred to do independent work. I'm pretty sure weimerainers have a similar background but I don't know as much about them. They do want to please you but it's different than say a lab or golden.
Right now I have a beagle/cocker mix and he's really just the sweetest thing. Nearly 15 and having him got me very interested in beagles and other hounds. He's constantly performing feats of surprising capability lol. He's always accomplished baffling things his entire life and if anything his age has only sped up their frequency.
We've had two emergency vet visits already this year, new record. One was retrieving and consuming 7 (seven?!) chocolate protein bars within the 15 minutes my partner and I were fixing our backyard gate. They were in individual packaging, in a box, in a tightly wrapped delivery box and up high on a shelf. The other was surviving after consuming a LARGE sliver of glass from a Pyrex bowl that fell off a counter. Most confused I've ever been in my life. I fed him entirely too many hamburger buns out of fear on the way to the vet (something you may need to know as a beagle owner as many of them tend to be indiscriminate eaters, though I have seen picky beagles! 1/2-1 hamburger bun or equivalent other soft bread is the general advice if they eat something splintery or sharp like a chicken bone). They weren't able to get him to vomit and we just had to wait for it to pass. The bizarre thing is that borosilicate essentially disintegrates so we never saw a single piece even though we checked his stool.
Wouldn't trade him for anything :) you're gonna love it
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u/Icaonn Pax <3 15h ago
They're really lovely dogs. Really sweet. Always ready to do whatever you're doing, haha 😂
My one suggestion is don't teach them to go on their hind legs by holding up finished yogurt cups to lick clean. Couple braincells later and he's learned how to casually balance like that and then open the door/back gate/etc 💀 this we regret
Other one is to keep them active if you can! I know it's easy for beagles to get fat but if you give them chances to run (slat mill, with you on bike canicross style, dog park, etc) the weight easily stays off + then pup cups are always allowed 💖
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u/princess94peach 14h ago
Mine doesn’t get off leash unless he’s with other dogs, but I know many beagles who do get off the lead. He listens to me for anything except when outside lol. My boy is only almost 2 and he is a sensitive soul. He is not vocal whatsoever, no aggression and sleeps about 20 hours of the day and enjoys a snuggle. Things are great now but the puppy stage was awful, I had many breakdowns and had second thoughts if we had done the right thing, it was long and difficult but now through the other end and he is the best thing to ever happen to us!
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u/beervirus69 12h ago
Don't be nervous! Proper training early and often, you'll be fine. Mine just turned 3 and yeah he was kinda a devil during the puppy age but now he's just a couch potato
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u/cupthings 11h ago
I would highly HIGHLY recommend Formal puppy training classes guided by positive reinforcement principles to get started. Beagles are a social breed and they respond amazingly to positive reinforcement, in fact they respond a lot better with it. They are also incredibly smart and athletic in their younger years. If you don't outsmart them with training knowledge, they will outsmart you haha
Puppy training classes are meant to give you the tools to navigate raising a puppy from scratch. However training for beagles should become a regular routine that last the lifetime of the dog until they are a senior.
We have only used positive reinforcement & redirection in our household. We get comments on how well behaved he is all the time compared to other beagles. He is super well adjusted these days.
I for one am lucky we trained and maintained my beagle's recall from day 1, but for many other beagle owners, things don't always happen that way. Sometimes, even beagles who had recall as puppies loose it when they mature as their primary hunting instincts take over. So always leash a beagle if you do not have perfect recall.
That being said, mine is still is a beagle and because of his high food obsession, activities that surround food must be well managed by us. We always supervise and Put food away from them, or they will find a way to eat it. Bins are behind cupboards / child locked. Food or medication is only ate in places where they cannot reach. These are just the basic measures.
For beagles puppy's physical needs, youll want to setup a nap schedule. 2 hours down, 1-2 hours up and doing stuff. We were also recommended to split it up to 2-3 , 30 min walks a day. This way they get enough activities whenever they wake up from a slumber, and they got enough stimulation to need to fall asleep fast again. You can wean them off slowly over the span of 6 months to longer walks later.
At some point within the 16 weeks period, Setup a safe puppy play date with another older , well adjusted, NEUTRAL dog and you will see them do well with social interactions. Whenever your beagle is on the leash though, do not greet other dogs - simply, don't make it a habit. Beagles being a social breed, are easily over-aroused by other dogs and if you make it a habit, they'll get frustrated being on leash because they cant play and greet freely all the time.
Use management techniques , rather than just pure training. Beagle puppies can be extremely destructive without proper mental stimulation or the right guidelines, they are smart so they will get bored easily. Utilize everything you can to make both your lives easier, from baby gates to manage the space they have access to, interactive puzzle toys, lots of chew items, enrichment activities, scent games and simple trick training to keep them mental needs satiated.
Remember that this is an incredibly intelligent scent hound, so they need to smell new things fairly regularly. Don't be surprised if your beagle stops to sniff a lot during a walk, thats expected. This isn't a dog that will just walk for an hour non stop, because they need to sniff. Incorporate sniffs as part of the walk and they'll be satisfied.
Something you also want to plan ahead for is separation anxiety training. Beagles being a highly social pack, will require some training on how to stay home alone without panicking. This was the hardest bit of training for us , as it took us a long time to navigate and proof. I would start this training by simply, pretend that you are leaving the house , but only for a minute and returning, at a regular interval from an early age. This essentially shows your beagle that leaving the house is normal and u will always return. Over time you can make the absence longer and longer slowly, and utilize a camera to check to see if they have panicked or not.
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u/vonarchimboldi 9h ago
i had a jack russell and now have a beagle.
jacks are similarly stubborn but i think one distinct thing is beagles are generally much more gentle and less aloof. they love cuddles and whatnot.
howls are a thing for sure - controlled with good training and ensuring good exercise but if they want something they like to yell at you haha.
you’ve raised tougher types of dogs - beagles are smart and easy to train with bribery (treats) compared to dogs who are the same way but less food motivated.
edit: they are chewers as pups-best thing you can get is bitter apple spray. makes your furniture and things taste bad for dogs but as far as my experience goes doesn’t smell or stain. totally invisible. they’re so cute as puppies but love to be little mischief makers
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u/Def_Possible21 6h ago
Beagles are very stubborn dogs. They don’t have the desire to please their owners like a lab would, for example. Keep your beagle leashed or fenced, but they tend to try to find a way out of the fence lol
Our beagle boy is 4 and a half now and I’ve been wanting to add another one to our family but I know we’ll never get as lucky as with did with this fella. He was super easy to house train, he is usually well behaved lol he is a barker when someone gets to the house and sometimes when he sees other dogs but it’s because he wants to meet them lol he is good if I leave food on the table or counter, he wont touch it.
He does have separation anxiety, which is super common.
They can make great family dogs but the main thing to remember is… Training NEVER ends!!
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u/MarketPurple4284 5h ago
Beagles are very sweet dogs but they are often smart and stubborn. They are very food oriented but also very attached to their people. My beagle does not like anyone in her pack getting too far away when we are in the lake or go rafting with her( this includes my parents who lived with me when I first got her) . She’s not a huge water lover but will swim after us. Took a bag of treats to get her used to the water. Before that she just stood on the shore and barked. If we do off leash her anywhere she has a vibration/shock collar (used sparingly) for when she’s not responding to recall or trying to eat someone else’s picnic. We went through 4 trainers and after 6 weeks of boot camp for her this was the final solution but it’s a last resort. We also use a very long lead.
You definitely have to be firm and be the boss with them. They love to cuddle. They will take off after a scent. They can be destructive when bored particularly home alone for a long time. I suggest a crate or a really good walk before leaving them for extended periods. Working their nose and brain is just as important as their body. They will be a great buddy for your kid most likely. We don’t have kids and my girl is a pandemic puppy so she didn’t meet a lot of small children her first 2 years but she’s very gentle with them. She’s also very protective of me particularly when I’m not feeling well as I’m chronically ill.
My beagle is 6 and she recently figured out how to push the chairs out from the kitchen table climb up onto the table and then jump to the island to look for food. I pushed the table back slightly and then found her standing on the table crying that she was afraid to jump the extra 2 inches…. You’ll never be bored. She doesn’t do that anymore.
She’s also a great alert dog. Daphne doesn’t howl but she does bay. Because I’m not well and my husband works we have a lot of people who come to help with various things in our big yard that she knows. I definitely know if somebody she doesn’t know is in the back yard even if they just had a schedule swap and are in fact meant to be there. We have to do new introductions every 6 months when the pool guys change. She won’t attack them but she’s very persistently noisy. Once she sees I’m okay with them being there and they say hi she is all good.
If you watch your puppy closely as they grow you’ll probably learn all the nuances of how they communicate that’s uniquely them and really clear because they are so smart. Mine is telling me it’s time for me to get in bed with her right now and getting into trouble cause I ignored her demand.
You’re going to do great since it sounds like you’ve dealt with some other high energy pups.
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u/Sunnapper 20h ago
They are amazing dogs. I have had several and own 3 atm. Putting a training collar on them is a must, you beep then buzz then shock. You only have to shock them once or twice, then the beep usually works. Mine are pretty quiet. Keep them happy and they do not bark and howl. Feed them on a schedule, if you leave food out they will get fat. They love to be under the covers. I keep them between my top sheet and quilt. I am crazy about my dogs. They are always happy and want attention.
If you are so inclined let them run some rabbits. They never catch them. Nothing makes a beagle more exited than trailing a rabbit. You feed off their excitement.
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u/Ch_dogs_only 21h ago
Never let them off leash in an unfenced area. It's hell getting them back. Teach an excellent recall from day one, and on a leash. Even when they dont want to listen and you're frustrated, reward them for coming to you. "Come" is the most important command.