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Does your dog ever...??
Beagles 101 - A beginner's training course
There is a vast amount of information available today about the beagle and other breeds. You must take the responsibility of educating yourself and your family about your breed of choice. The AKC rates Beagles as one of the most popular breeds, and no one can deny the cuteness that is a beagle puppy. However, please do not even consider adding a Beagle to your family based on looks alone. Behind that sweet face is a very stubborn and single-minded scent-hound! Some of the most endearing qualities of a beagle can also cause the most frustration to someone not familiar with what to expect from this breed.
Beagles
have
been bred for hundreds and hundreds of years to follow their
noses, so now... they do! And it gets them into lots of
trouble.
Beagles
simply
cannot be trusted to be off-leash, or to consistently obey
their owners when they are outside. A house with a securely
fenced yard is very important, unless provisions are made
for consistent daily walks with the opportunity to exercise
in a securely fenced area. When a Beagle catches a scent,
his nose will hit the ground and he will go off to follow
it. All other senses will be turned off, and no matter how
loud you yell "COME", a Beagle will not listen and will not
come back. It's not that they don't love you and want to run
away, or that they are being purposefully disobedient...
they are just following their nose. That's the job of a
Beagle. We humans, as their guardians, need to make sure
that they are safely contained so that their noses don't get
them into a dangerous situation.
Beagles
can't go on walks or hikes off-leash. For the same reasons
as above, they always need to be attached to their human
when they are outside. They are not the type of dog that
can go hiking or camping with you and just 'hang out' by the
campsite. You need to have them on a leash at all times.
Beagles
are difficult to train. This is often said, but not entirely
true. They can learn to understand what you're telling them,
they just don't always decide to listen - especially when
there is food involved! "Leave it" is not a well-loved
command with Beagles :-) They can be quite stubborn.
Beagles will scavenge for food and food cannot be left unattended around them. Also, small children and others may be at risk of being nipped or bitten if they have food around a beagle. If you leave food on a table, or a garbage can within reach... expect to have it inspected (and torn up/eaten) by your Beagle. It's that nose again!
Beagles can be howlers. They have a very distinctive singing voice and use it when they are excited. If there is a knock at the door or a bird in the yard... you will hear ARROOOOOOO!
Beagles are not good outside-only dogs. They are very social and people-oriented. They are not happy in the yard by themselves. Beagles need to be part of the family and allowed to live with you in the house. They like to be on your lap when you watch TV and in your room (preferably in your bed!) when you sleep. They aren't happy in the background, and if not given the proper toys, chew items, or stimulation, they will find something on their own to play with/chew up, which is usually something they you don’t want them to have.
After all that, what could possibly be enticing about sharing your life with a beagle?!
Beagles are wonderful family dogs. They are loving and affectionate, they are great with kids, and they are real cuddlers. There is nothing better than having a Beagle jump up on your lap, give you a kiss, and curl up for a nap under your arm.
Beagles do not need a lot of grooming, do not shed a ton, and although they will bark if there is something to bark at, they are not a 'yappy' breed.
Beagles are very people-oriented. They are the type of dog that wants to be with you and will follow you around from room to room. They want to be part of your family and will give you lots of love.
Beagles must be one of the cutest, handsomest breeds. Who can resist “those eyes”?? They are extremely affectionate and very expressive.
Beagles are great with kids. Generally, Beagles love the companionship of kids of all ages. They love a walk in the park, and to romp around with the members of their family.
Beagles are great watchdogs! If a stranger dare approach your home, your Beagle will gladly announce their arrival! Once inside, the stranger will probably get kisses and tail wags... especially if it’s the pizza delivery guy!
Beagles make the very best of friends and most wonderful lifelong companions. These lil’ hounds are forever friends that just want to be a very big part of their human’s life- you after all are their world!!! (Well, that and dinnertime!)
In our experiences,
people either love Beagles or hate them. You have to
understand their distinct characteristics and accept them...
not try to change them. Anyone who gets a Beagle expecting
to be able to train it not to wander away from an unfenced
yard or not to follow its nose is going to be very
disappointed and frustrated. And chances are, that Beagle
will be looking for another home within 6 months.
If you can live with the points listed above, you have a
house with a fenced yard and lots of love and time to
dedicate to a dog, then a Beagle can be the perfect family
member for you.
Following is a list of other groups whose websites offer
excellent training suggestions on several topics that could apply to
all breeds. Please visit these sites.
www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/dog_behavior_tip_sheets/
Dog behavior tip sheets from the Humane Society of the United
States.
Seattle Beagle Rescue-
www.beaglerescue.org
If you are considering a beagle, please check out the Beagle Info section on
this website. Their article on breed overview, children, fencing and apartments
offer excellent information and tips. Please keep in mind that BARC’s adoption
standards may not be the same as this group’s, so some of the information
presented in the article may not apply.
Beagles On The Web- www.beagles-on-the-web.com
Please check out Rescue and Links section on this national group’s website for
general dog behavior and beagle information.
Colorado Beagle
Rescue- www.colobeaglerescue.org
The Articles and Forms section on this website offers numerous articles on
training and behavioral issues, such as adding a second dog to the household,
carsickness, separation anxiety, barking and escaping.
Beagle Rescue Education and Welfare (BREW)-
www.brewbeagles.org
BREW is an East Coast-based beagle rescue group that offers a wealth of breed
information. Their link – So U Want A Beagle? – has an excellent article that
answers many questions from those considering the breed for the first time.
Arizona Bassett Hound Rescue-www.azbassetrescue.com
Articles and options on adding a basset hound to your family.
www.houndrescue.com.
Hound Rescue is based in Austin, TX serving the greater Austin area in a full
rescue capacity and Providence, RI serving Rhode Island and New England in a
referral capacity.