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I have heard Beagles are hard to train.
Is this true? |
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Beagles do not do well in the
"obedience" category, but they aren't entirely difficult to
train. They can most definitely be crate-trained and
house-trained. They can be trained to "Come", "Sit",
"Lay Down", etc. My male Beagle even knows "Go get your
toy", "Bye-bye" (ride in the car), "Night-night" (bed time),
"Out" (get out of the kitchen), etc. Beagles are not
"stupid" by any means - just very stubborn.
However, you should not get a Beagle if you are
wanting a dog to run alongside you when you jog, or to
run anywhere off-leash. Beagles are
scent-hounds, and will follow a scent until they find the animal, food, or
whatever they are "tracking". Beagles are very
clever, but they are inherently stubborn and can be
mischievous when it comes to acquiring food (beagles
are notorious "chowhounds"). But they respond well to
diligent and consistent training, particularly if a
positive approach with food rewards is used. This is
true for puppies as well as adult dogs. |
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Can I let my Beagle run free off of his/her
leash? |
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No.
when beagles are outside, they
must always be either on a leash or in a securely fenced
area. If they are loose, they will run away. And 95% of
the time, they WILL NOT come when called (unless you
have a big slice of cheese pizza with you). While they
are busy tracking whatever scent gets their interest, they
will not pay any attention to cars. |
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I want to get a dog for my children.
Are Beagles pretty easy to take care of? |
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Beagles are VERY easy to take
care of - very low-maintenance. However, are you
prepared to provide the majority of its care? Don't make the
mistake of getting a dog "for the kids" and assuming they will
take care of it. You will have the ultimate responsibility.
And if your children are toddlers, are you prepared to
supervise all interaction between them? This is an
absolute necessity in order to prevent accidental nipping or
worse. Many Beagles are turned over to shelters or rescue
organizations because "the kids wouldn't take care of him", or "I
got tired of being the only person to take care of the dog".
It isn't the dog's fault that "nobody wants to take care of
him". Adopting or owning a dog is a HUGE responsibility
and should be taken very seriously. |
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Do Beagles shed? |
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Yes, Beagles shed - not as much as some
longer-haired dogs, but they do shed. Purchasing a
high-quality food, such as Nutro or Science Diet can reduce
shedding. |
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I've noticed
that some dogs are really smelly. Do Beagles smell? |
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Beagles smell only if they're really dirty,
or if they have rolled in something. If you feed them a
high-quality dog food, and bathe them only when they need it,
they should not smell. There is nothing inherently "smelly"
about a Beagle unless it has indulged in one of its favorite
hobbies and rolled in something yucky. That usually requires
an immediate bath, after which you will be entertained by the
well-known "post-bath beagle frenzy" during which they run
around the house as fast as they possibly can, pausing only to
roll around on the floor in an attempt to dry themselves off.
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Are Beagles good with kids? |
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Beagles generally love children. They are
ready, willing, and able to play with you and/or your children
in a controlled area (like a fenced-in back yard). They
make great family dogs. However some older or "not-so-active"
beagles may not do well with small children that may poke them
or pull their tails. |
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I've heard Beagles howl a lot. Is
this true? |
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Beagles can be VERY vocal. They may
bay loudly when they catch a scent while on a walk or in the
back yard. They often bay when playing with other dogs! They
also can bay when you’re not home. This trait causes the most
problems for people who share walls with others, i.e.,
townhouse and apartment dwellers. Most beagles are quite
gregarious, outgoing, and playful.
A lot of times it really depends on the
Beagle, though. For instance, my female is VERY vocal.
She howls when she hears other dogs bark, howls at dogs when
we go for walks, and barks when playing with (chasing) my
male. However, my male is not very vocal. He will
usually only let out a low, muffled bark if someone knocks on
the door, or if he hears a strange noise outside. He
normally only "howls" when my female begins to howl quite a
bit.
Believe it or not, we've been asked if beagles really "howl
at the moon". No, they do not. Unless the moon
happens to be rustling the bushes behind the fence or
scurrying up a tree.
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Do Beagles make good guard dogs? |
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No. A Beagle will usually let out a
"warning" bark when someone knocks on the door, or if they
hear a strange noise. But if an intruder actually
entered your house, he or she would probably be licked to
death (if anything), or greeted with a Beagle carrying a toy
and wanting to play. If you are looking for a guard dog,
do not get a Beagle. |
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I have heard that Beagles like to dig.
Is this true? |
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Yes, most Beagles will dig if left
unattended. In fact most dogs, regardless of the
breed, will dig if left unattended. If you keep
your Beagle occupied while outdoors, and use a firm
"No" when you catch him/her digging, that should help.
Most people who have problems with dogs digging are
leaving them outside all day long with no supervision.
Confining your dog to a crate while you are away makes
for a happy Beagle and happy "parents". |
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