3 Common Beagle Behaviour Problems (And How To Fix Them)

Remember: Beagles are merry, friendly scent hounds with noses that rule their world. Understand their incredible scenting ability and give them proper outlets, and they'll become the cheerful, loving family dogs they were meant to be.

Where Do Beagles Come From?

Beagles were developed in England over several centuries for rabbit and hare hunting with packs. The modern Beagle was refined in the 1800s, with emphasis on scenting ability, stamina, and pack work.

The name possibly derives from French "beugler" (to bellow) or "beag" (small). They were bred to work in large packs (20-40 dogs) following scent trails for hours.

What were they bred to do?

Beagles had a very specific hunting job:

• Track rabbits and hares by scent whilst running in packs
• Vocalise (baying/howling) constantly so hunters could follow by sound
• Work through dense brush or over hills where dogs disappeared from view
• Follow scent trails that were hours old
• Track for 6-8 hours continuously
• Work cooperatively in large packs
• Use their compact size to follow prey through dense brush

Key breeding traits:

Beagles have one of the best noses in the dog world (estimated 220+ million scent receptors). Their voice was bred for volume and carrying distance - their bay/howl carries for miles.

They have selective deafness when on scent (literally cannot hear commands), pack mentality requiring minimal human direction once tracking, food motivation to sustain energy during long hunts, and friendly temperament for living in large kennels with many dogs. Independence was essential as they worked far from handlers.

Why Do Beagles Have These Behaviour Problems?

Your Beagle isn't being difficult. Now they're primarily companion dogs, though some are still used for rabbit hunting in packs. Their scenting genetics remain incredibly strong - they live in a world dominated by smell that humans cannot comprehend.

Beagles are used extensively in detection work (airports, agriculture) due to exceptional noses, but pet Beagles retain full hunting drive with no appropriate outlets.

Understanding that their nose literally overrides everything else is key to living with a Beagle.

Problem 1: Following Scent & Running Away

What's happening: Your Beagle follows their nose and runs off, ignores your recall commands when they're sniffing, or seems completely deaf when on a scent trail.

Why it happens: Beagles were bred with a nose-brain that literally overrides all other inputs when on a scent trail. Their entire purpose was following scent trails for miles regardless of their handler's location. Once locked onto a scent, their brain shuts down to everything else. They were bred to work independently once tracking, not to stay near their person or respond to recalls.

The fix: Never trust a Beagle off-lead. The easiest way to manage this is to have very high quality recall. Essentially you need to be able to cut through their scent tunnel vision and get them to return (in the same way that they would on a hunt). This means they must want to listen to you. You cannot bribe them to come back.

Use 30-50 foot long lines in all outdoor areas as safety nets whilst practising recalls - never assume they'll come back once scenting starts.

Use a whistle (this is much harder than you think) for recall if your dog likes to wander. Make sure you rotate between "structured" and "unstructured" walks throughout your time outdoors. This gives them time to explore whilst also ensuring you retain control.

Beagle keeps running off? Their scent drive is overwhelming. Join our free Skool community to learn recall techniques that work with scent hounds and get advice on long-line training during weekly Q&As.

Problem 2: Excessive Howling & Baying

What's happening: Your Beagle howls, bays, or vocalises loudly and frequently, often triggered by sounds, scents, or excitement.

Why it happens: Beagles were specifically bred to vocalise loudly whilst tracking so hunters could follow the pack by sound across long distances and dense terrain. Their howling and baying was their primary job function - alerting humans to prey location. This vocalisation is hardwired and deeply satisfying to them, not something they can easily suppress.

The fix: Accept some level of vocalisation is breed-standard and cannot be completely eliminated - this is who they are genetically. Teach "quiet" cues for specific situations but don't expect silence. When they howl/bay, acknowledge once, then say "quiet" and reward the first moment of silence. Make sure to differentiate between what is excessive behaviour and what is not.

Acknowledge baying through calm "Thank You's" and moving over towards the scene. If baying continues uncontrollably, move them to a separate room and calmly leave them there. Once you get 30 seconds of calm, let them out, but do not speak with them.

Howling driving you mad? Beagle vocalisation is genetic. Inside our Skool community, you'll find "quiet" training protocols and can get realistic expectations from other Beagle owners about managing their voice.

Problem 3: Food Obsession & Counter Surfing

What's happening: Your Beagle is obsessed with food, steals from counters or tables, or seems constantly hungry despite being fed properly.

Why it happens: As pack hunting dogs, Beagles evolved to be opportunistic foragers who eat whenever food is available. They needed to fuel long hunts and competition with pack members meant eating fast and often. Food drive is more intense than most breeds due to hunting heritage.

The fix: You're never going to get food obsession out of them. It's engrained deep into their genetics. It's important that you set them up to win and control food around them.

Don't leave any food out. They will eat it. Despite most Beagles being overweight, they're surprisingly agile when it comes to food (think Kung Fu Panda).

Use an "all family members work the dog" approach where every person is involved in feeding the dog. Add in alternative healthy foods like carrots on rotation. This mimics the "randomness" of foraging without the need to change their basic meal requirements.

Food stealing out of control? Beagles are notorious food thieves. Join our Skool community for management strategies and weight control advice from other Beagle owners who understand the struggle.

Is a Beagle Right for a New Owner?

A Beagle might be perfect for you if you're looking for:

An excellent family dog with children - Beagles are famous for their friendly, gentle nature with kids. They're patient, playful, and form wonderful bonds with children of all ages.

A sociable dog that loves everyone - Beagles are very good with other pets and friendly with strangers. Their pack mentality means they enjoy company and are rarely aggressive.

A compact, manageable size - At 9-11kg, Beagles are small-medium sized, making them suitable for various living situations including apartments (if you can manage the vocalisation).

A low-maintenance coat - Beagles require only weekly brushing and minimal grooming. They're easy to care for in terms of coat maintenance, though they do shed moderately.

A hardy, long-lived companion - With a lifespan of 12-15 years and generally good health, Beagles are with you for the long haul. They're resilient, cheerful dogs.

If you have a secure garden, can commit to 1 hour of daily exercise, and can handle their vocal nature and food obsession, a Beagle will bring endless joy, affection, and entertainment to your family.

Get the Full Support System for Your Beagle

This guide gives you real solutions you can start using today. But raising a well-behaved Beagle is an ongoing journey, not a one-time fix.

That's why we created our free Skool community - to give you continuous support every step of the way.

Inside the community, you'll get:

• Weekly live Q&A sessions where you can ask about YOUR specific Beagle and get personalised advice from experienced trainers
• Full breed-specific courses covering everything from puppy raising to advanced behaviour modification
• A supportive community of other Beagle owners who understand exactly what you're going through
• Video demonstrations so you can see techniques in action, not just read about them
• Troubleshooting help when things don't go to plan (because they won't always!)
• Updated resources as we add new courses and training blueprints

Best part? It's completely free. No sub