[b0ricua]

Hey all,

We just got our 7 week old Beagle pup, Bianca, and love her to death. Lots of work but well worth it.

I did a lot of research about Beagles before we got her and obviously found many items about Beagles being very loud, stubborn, etc. etc.

I also found many places where this can be corrected if nipped in the bud. We went with this information thinking that with enough work a Beagle can be a great family dog that won't be too loud for neighbors, be controlled and a great dog.

I want to hear your experiences when it comes to this. I know you guys are the most informed of the breed. Did your beagle bay often? How did you correct it/work with it? Were you able to have your dog off of a leash without it following its nose (or is that a lost cause)

Please tell me your experiences, both good and bad and some pointers for me now that I can start from day 1.

Thanks!

 

[star0513]

Hi there!

Just to give you some of my experiences...I have had two beagles: one when I was a kid growing up, and one now that I am on my own. Yes! They are fantastic family dogs, good with children, and lots of fun.

I'm not sure if this is true of all beagles, or if it is just because I have invested a lot time and effort into training, but my Sebastian rarely barks. Exercise and play time is key!

One thing I can't recommend enough is getting your little one into puppy classes as soon as she is able to go. They are fantastic for socialization as well as learning obedience. Yes, these dogs can have a mind of their own, but don't let anyone tell you they aren't smart or can't be trained. It just takes patience. I am currently working with my beagle to become a licensed therapy dog, and he is doing great!

Other owners may have different experiences, but for me, I never let my beagle off leash unless he is in a securely fenced in area. He has a great recall, but why risk it?

Hope that helped some, and good luck with Bianca! You will get some great advice from this forum

 

[Tucker]

Beagles are great family dogs. Our first beagle Cleo actively sought out children to be with. Tucker does too, but not quite as much.

Ours haven't been noisy, unless they want something, or the doorbell rings (keep the remote handy for doorbells on TV).

The biggest thing about beagles is their nose and tummy's. They really do like to sniff and eat. I do get worried if Tucker gets near a child with food as he will forget his manners and go for the food. He has taken food out of peoples hands before. Never leave a dinner plate within reach and unattended.

Other than that, beagles are great.

 

[Mollys Mom]

Molly is my 2nd beagle. Benny, my first was with us for 14 years and was a wonderful dog. Molly is from a shelter and has a lot to learn but she is adorable.

A puppy training or basic training class might be good for you. Beagles can be stubborn learners so sometimes good training methods are helpful for the basics.

I find beagles to be fun, silly, loyal and good for traveling around with you because of their size.

Off leash is a super challenge but experienced trainers can help with that. My first beagle used to go off leash in the woods with us when we were certain it was a safe trail. He would circle around us sniffing but always come back. Molly is learning off leash but only in our fenced yard. She was always leashed (for over a year) in the yard, so her recall is very good.

 

[b0ricua]

Awesome responses all!

I do plan on taking Bianca to puppy obedience class once she has her necessary vaccinations.

I am so glad to hear this information! I have to admit that my initial lure towards this breed was their cute faces!

Please, keep the responses coming it's great to hear...

 

[araine]

Mine only barks when playing or asked. Other then that...as long as trained correctly and mentally stimulated right, they won't bark.

 

[Dinoz]

great family dogs! milo (6 months) only barks when he notices something going on at the front of my house e.g. someone walking past with their dog. He has familiarised himself with who the neighbours are and no longer barks when they arrive home.

it is true they are stubborn and like to test the limits in what you allow and will not allow, so be persistant and you will be rewarded.

my summary: very very intelligent dogs while heaps of fun and laughter at the same time.

 

[Quinn&Grayson]

I think one thing that is very important is that you give your puppy as much attention as you can. I've heard that Beagles are very noisy, but I also know that dogs are noisy if they are left bored or ignored. Keep her busy! Quinn is my first puppy, and I am having a blast with her. I haven't had to take her to a puppy training class because she's doing really well so far. I just need to work with the puppies on focusing. Otherwise, she's such a happy little puppy.

Bianca will be great.

 

[Mollys Mom]

I never really had a problem with baying or barking in either Benny or Molly. Molly has an issue with barking at cars out the front window but we are working her thru it.

 

[Joe Johnston]

We had 1 that was vocal and 1 that was not. Go figure. Early training is a must with Beagles. But, from my experience with raising two from pups, they are gonna do what they want too when they want too no mater what you say.

We had kind of an understanding with both on a certain few things and they understood. Realize you can't over power that dad gum sense of smell they have. Both of ours were always great around small kids.

 

[bubbles]

Snoopy is very quiet. She seldom bays or barks. But that is not always the case for beagles and would depend on each dog's personality. She knows many commands and tricks but can be stubborn (unless there is food involved) and then she is at your mercy. Beagles are GREAT family pets.

Snoopy has passed her Therapy Dog assessment so as you can see they are great dogs in many ways. There will be some that argue this next statement: I never let her off lead. All it would take is one scent and off she would go. It is their nature and to me it is not worth the risk.

 

[SuperFloppy]

I don't really have a problem with my pup being off leash. Obviously I don't do it when there are a lot of distractions around like other dogs, but for the most part she is fine. If I say her name firmly, she'll look at me, and then mosey back.

As far as being off leash all of the time, I don't think I have the time to train her for that. I just like to be able to let her off the leash a little bit more each time on our way back to the house so she knows that I do trust her. She flops right by my side when I'm walking and if she sees my mom or my wife, she'll trot up to them and sit down.

 

[My2Beagles]

I grew up with dogs – the dogs I have owned myself have been mixes – until I got Shiloh B. He was my first Beagle that I got in 2003 at the age of 7 and a half weeks. It was mostly because of him, that I now have Shasta B & I also got her at about 8 weeks & she is now 3yo. Now I can’t personally vouch for them as family dogs because I am single with no children – never had them. But both of mine love children when we go where they are. Shiloh B has been a registered Delta Society Pet Partner (therapy dog) since spring of 2005 as well as a Canine Good Citizen. In late 2007, I did another seminar which certified us to go into elementary schools & libraries so children could read to Shiloh B (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) – we go to our city library which is where he can get his “kid fix”, he loves children & I am constantly amazed at how patient he is with them, even toddlers. Shasta B has recently passed her therapy dog evaluation & her CGC. As soon as I get the paperwork done, I hope she will start visiting too.

They do bark – if & when they see a critter out in the yard or when the doorbell rings. They don’t bark just to hear themselves making noise.

I know of a few people who can somehow manage to train their Beagle to go off leash – but they are very few & very far between. I won’t even attempt it with mine. Maybe if I lived out in the country with no one around for miles & roads never traveled by anyone but me – but I love my dogs too much & I know them to well to even risk it.

I get pretty ticked at things like a recent survey that put Beagles near the top of the dumbest list - I totally disagree. I will be one of the first that say they are challenging & can even be stubborn BUT given the opportunity to really prove themselves - given an owner who really understands the Beagle & is willing to put in the time & patience to train a Beagle then you can end up with one of the most intelligent breeds around. Shiloh B has proven that to me time & time again - especially with tricks. You just have to find out what motivates a dog to learn - with him, it was food. And Shasta B has learned her share of tricks too but she is younger than Shiloh B & hasn't quite got the polish that he does.

 

[Quinn&Grayson]

I agree with you, Kim, on the comment about a beagle's intelligence. Quinn is constantly figuring things out. She's so funny, and I love watching her because she is really incredibly smart.

Grayson, on the other hand....well....Grayson is a boy. Need I say more?

JUST KIDDING!

 

[LoAndBeholden]

Starla didn't even bark for quite some time. At first, we thought something was wrong with her. She didn't start barking until we taught her to speak, so barking/baying/howling has never been a problem. She only speaks when we tell her to or if we ask her if she has to go potty. As far as the leash thing, we have pretty much always kept her on a leash unless she is in a fenced-in backyard--and even then we are always watching her. She has sneaked out the door twice and started running off, but as soon as we called her she came right back. I wouldn't recommend ever letting your Beagle off of the leash on purpose though. I think we lucked out both times that us calling her overrode whatever she was smelling in the neighborhood.