I currently have a two year old lab mix that I rescued from a shelter. One of the things I love about him is how easy going he is. He doesn't bark much and he will not run off if I let him off the leash. Now I am considering adding an adorable mini beagle puppy to our family, but am a little hesitant due to the information I have read about beagle behavior when researching the breed online. Most of what I have read characterize beagles as stubborn dogs that can be difficult to train. Do any of you have beagles that do not bark frequently or run away when they are off a leash? I guess I want to know what I am getting myself into so I pick a puppy that will be a good fit for our family.
Considering a beagle puppy but unsure about "stubborn" behavior
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My beagle is 2 1/2 year old. When she was a puppy she was a little stinker but she has calmed down a lot. She only barks when she see a black and white cat in the neighborhood. She even barked at soccer ball a kid had in the yard next door. Even when we take a walk she just looks at the other dogs that bark and doesn't bark back. She does have a mind of her own but she does behave most of the time. She used to be a digger but has stopped that. I don't trust her without a leash. They can be runners because their nose leads them. She has a long leash hooked to her pen and I put it on before she goes out the door. That way I can stop her if she gets a scent of something she want to check out. She also walks better with a halter type leash. I tried a harness but she still pulls. With the harness it goes behind her front legs so there is more control. They are wonderful dogs. She is such a lover and always want to be near me.
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Just a little stubborn! Badger is one and he still has his moments but he is getting better each day slowly. Just have to have patience!!
Thank you all for your replies. All the photos of your beagles sure are cute. I can see why people are crazy about them. Unfortunately, someone else swooped in and got the puppy we had our eye on. I guess we will just have to keep looking for our next pup.
Maybe next time, jbo. I do think there is a huge training factor in the dog running away or not. My first beagle dug out with frequency. The second only got out a couple of times, from jumping, but she was happy getting her walks. The first one had a roaming instinct. One day, we opened the door to go somewhere, and she was just sitting there. She'd had her 'walk' apparently and had come home. LOL
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I agree with pretty much everything in those posts. Beagles of course have a mind of their own. They are stubborn, but determined is also a good adjective! I think determined is actually a better way of describing them. They want what they want.... and their noses are the key. They need lots of training. As like other dogs, you've GOT to start at a pup and BE consistant, very much so! Some cannot handle a beagle. But its worth it. My 2 are my kids. They are full of so much love. They always want to be where I am. In my lap at home. In my lap while driving. They get so sad when I leave the house. But that's why I have 2, so they have each other 
If you're an outdoors person, then a beagle is perfect. They want to sniff and find things. They are totally adventure dogs. I could go on.... Oh but if you hate that dogs bark, then think again. When they howel they don't stop. Its hilarious. To me anyways. Well good luck on finding a pup!
If you're an outdoors person, then a beagle is perfect. They want to sniff and find things. They are totally adventure dogs. I could go on.... Oh but if you hate that dogs bark, then think again. When they howel they don't stop. Its hilarious. To me anyways. Well good luck on finding a pup! My beagle Lucy is now 3 got her at 4months old but she was not to bad to house train....now she goes out without a problem took about a month....barking no only if someone comes around but that is her job....runner YES....the way I handled this was we had invisible fence put in and it works great....Lucy has a large yard to run in and she is free to run....we have a cat and they are the best of buddies....get the beagle you won't reget it....I love my lucy...
Like everyone says...they follow there nose. Diamond took off out the front door, ran full speed to three houses down, right to the bag of garbage (when we could only have bags) bit it, and out came a ham bone. Seriously she didn't slow down and just grabbed that ham bone. Amazing. They are very smart and if you are not consistent in your training, they remember and know you will "break". Obedience is an absolute necessity for owners... and the beagle benefits too.
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I got my 6 year old beagle from the pound about 5 yrs. ago, and whenever i would come back from being out she would get really hyper and run around the house a couple of times, but she has calmed down since then. Also she would dig holes at first, but soon after I taught her not to. I have trained my beagle very well, fast, and easily. Now she does everything i say just about. I would say a beagle is a very good "best friend". Mine is really just close with myself, but very friendly to others, and other pets.
I've heard those stories .My dog will run away sort of thing .I can walk my dog off leash through the neighborhood or off leash to the dog park to the amazement of other beagle owners .The only advise I can give is to never chase your dog and I make it the dog's job to find me . I started them out as pups on walks and when they got too far for their comfort they'd come running .Thats how I used their separation anxioty against them.
My little Beagle Millie is an Angel most of the time. However she does tend to bark if she is in another room from the family. I guess she just wants to be around us. The thing with beagles in my expierience is that they Have to get walked regular and long walks at that. If they don't they will become bored and destructive. Millie gets walked 3/4 times a day, a minimum of 2 miles per walk. So great if you want to shed a few pounds aswell!! She is very affectionate towards us all and loves to please. She always brings her toys or chews to show us as if to say look at this with a happy frown. All in all I would reccommend a Beagle to anybody prepared to get out and about. A beagle is no good for somebody to leave in the house all day.
My Maci is 8 months old and she was a snap to train! Had her house broken within 2-3 weeks of bringing her home, got her when she was 8 weeks old. And she was quite easy to train with basic obedience. We took her to our local kennel club's puppy socialization class, in my opinion it worked wonders on her! She does all the basics, plus a few tricks (ie. shake a paw, roll over). She's not a nuisance barker, though when we leave her in the crate she certainly lets the world know that she isn't happy about it! We're working on training her to stay with us off leash, don't trust her quite yet though. We've got her up to coming to us at the dog park even with other dogs around. Always for a treat of course. If you've got a good smelling treat, a Beagle's attention is yours! It's all about consistency with this breed.
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