Beagle: Training Insights & Behavior Traits

Beagles are loving, gentle dogs with a fierce independent streak. As a pet parent, you will have to be patient and persistent since this breed is so strong willed.

When training your Beagle, always have him on a leash or he will follow his nose versus your commands and head off in search of an enticing scent.

Before you go over the moon for this breed, know that they love companionship and do not like to be alone. Therefore, separation anxiety can be an issue.

As Bark Busters trainers, we have seen Beagles plow through drywall when left alone for too long. To cut down on the destruction, Beagles need a lot of exercise, education, and an outlet for their energy.

Beagles are often known as the “Goldilocks” of dogs – not too big, not too small, not too aggressive and not too shy. Because of their acute sense of smell, they are often called a “nose with feet.”

Know also that they are so vocal, they might not make the best apartment dwellers… you can hear them howl loudly. For a dog its size, the Beagle has a BIG voice. A Beagle’s voice is not only typically louder than other breeds its size, it has a passionate tone that other breeds do not have.

The breed is multi-talented and is often used by U.S. Customs to search for illegal food, plants and drugs because of their phenomenal sense of scent. It’s not uncommon to see beagles in airports, sniffing around the baggage lines.

Beagles are also great hunting dogs. Beagles are fiercely loyal, highly energetic and hunt with all their heart. Remember, they were originally bred to hunt hare and rabbit. They are particularly good at being left loose in the field and hunting their prey without instruction. It is this independent streak that contributes to their stubbornness. This is in contrast to dogs like Labradors who hunt on command.

However, the Beagle doesn’t have to hunt to be happy – he can he just as happy on the lap of a loving dog owner.

There are two Beagle varieties: those standing under 13 inches at the shoulder, and those between 13 and 15 inches. Both varieties are sturdy, solid, and “big for their inches,” as dog folks say. They come in such pleasing colors as lemon, red and white, and tricolor. The Beagle’s fortune is in his adorable face, with its big brown or hazel eyes set off by long, houndy ears set low on a broad head. A breed described as “merry” by its fanciers, Beagles are loving and lovable, happy, and companionable—all qualities that make them excellent family dogs. No wonder that for years the Beagle has been the most popular hound dog among American pet owners. These are curious, clever, and energetic hounds who require plenty of playtime.

Beagles are often described as: “they never met a person they didn’t like”. They get along well with kids and other breeds because they are carefree and cooperative. In fact, the Beagle has a fun and curious nature, much like many children. They can thrive both in the city and country, although they do best with plenty of room to roam. If you are looking for a couch potato – this is not the breed to choose as they require a lot of exercise.

The two biggest dog training problems with the Beagle involves coming when called and walking by their pet parent’s side on a leash. Why? Because Beagles have their nose to the ground and prefer to follow that versus you! They will wander around whether supervised or not.

Some people will say that Beagles are not intelligent, but this is far from the truth. Consider the fact that they often get away with NOT following your commands. Beagles are free thinkers, and unlike Labradors who live to please their pet parents, Beagles follow the beat of their own drummer. This does not mean they can't be trained. In fact, the Bark Busters style of training which is based on the way dogs naturally communicate is perfect for this dog. Although training can be a challenge, with persistence and patience you can succeed and they will develop respect for your leadership.

Beagles are regularly in the top 10 most popular breeds. Even though Snoopy is probably the most well-known Beagle, all dogs are priceless to their families. Beagles' incredible abilities really can come in handy - you may see them at airports as detections dogs, trained to find bed bugs and termites, and you may even see them as therapy dogs.

However, just like any breed, they present unique challenges.

Beagles are scent hounds which means that even more than some other breeds they are ruled by their noses. They will naturally follow a scent until they either find the source or they find a more interesting scent.

Due their prodigious ability to follow a scent they make excellent hunters and trackers.

Tracking is an activity they were born to excel doing. Following their noses however can make them challenging to walk.

Recall, or coming when called, can also be a challenge for Beagles. These are probably the two areas of behaviors that Bark Busters Trainers deal with consistently with Beagles.

Beagles can be prone to becoming anxious when left alone so, as puppies, they definitely need to be confined or crated or you may come home to find holes in your walls.  Their “chase first, ask questions later” has caused more than a few Beagles to run through screen doors or to run into glass doors that they forgot were there. 

They are short and stocky so, like most of us, you have to watch their weight as they get older. This can become a serious problem as it can lead to other health issues especially if they get lazy.

Bark Busters training can help you to understand your dog and how to not only have your dog love you, but to show him that you are also are a capable leader worthy of his respect.