i have heard that beagles are hard to train and dont listen very well. is that true?

Question

i have been looking at different dogs and i always liked the look of beagles but i have heard & read that they are not the easies to train. but my friend has one an its like the sweetest dog ever and its all trained and everything, can somebody talk about them from experience?
i have always loved bassets, i have heard that they are fairly easy to train. anybody can talk from experience?
german shorthair pointer. i have read that they are really smart but have a high activity level. i am not wanting such a high activity level. i have looked at so many dogs from rotties to beagles to bassets to goldens- i would like to hear from experience on other peoples dogs so i can get this narrowed down. i am looking for a breed that is mellow, not dog aggressive, and easy to handle and train. any good ideas? please talk from experience!

Answer 1

The hardest thing for the owner of a scent hound to overcome is to keep the dog's attention focused on him. This isn't easy for anyone training a dog, but a dog that won't pay attention to his handler will never obey the handler's commands.
Scent hounds were bred to track and follow smells. They keep their noses to the ground and seldom look up while tracking. This is why dogs sometimes get lost. They wander off after a scent, and when they look up & turn around they no longer recognize their surroundings.
The best way to determine if a particular breed is right for you is to meet dogs and owners of the breeds you are interested in. Most folks enjoy talking about their dogs and are a great source of information about all aspects of the breed.
Good luck.

Answer 2

Hey, I'm a Vet Tech, seen lots of dogs.
Beagles can be difficult because some of them can be more interested in sniffing stuff than anything else.
Bassets are pretty mellow, but in the same category as Beagles.
All individuals are different though. Best thing to do, believe it or not, is to go to a rescue. There are breed specialty rescues all over now, Veterinarians have the numbers. Talk to the attendants, they spend a lot of time with the animals and would love to steer you to the right dog for you.
Consider a mutt or cross breed. The genes that make them difficult as pets can be diluted nicely and you have a pet that looks like a Beagle but has more of the great qualities you are looking for.
Consider an adult. Most come already potty and obedience trained. They are MUCH less work than a puppy. They also seem more "grateful" because they know just how bad life can get.
One of your questions was about what sort of dog you should get based on your criteria. My answer to that is a Shelter Mutt. When you go to the SPCA or animal control they do temperment testing, so you know you are getting exactly the animal you are describing. They have so many animals now that you can pick anything you want. They either have it or can put you on a list for when one comes in.
Adopting from a shelter saves a life and you get lots of "extras" for one low price.
Good luck and happy hunting for that perfect dog.

Answer 3

If you don't like the high activity level of a german shorthair, then don't get a beagle, because they have it too. As for being easy to train, they are a hound which means that they have some stubbornness to them. I've had various hounds for 33 years so I don't have trouble with it. You just have to be smarter than the dog and use a little creativity to keep them from being bored and you won't have a problem. Bassets, being hounds, are stubborn and when they're on a scent, they just plain don't hear you call them. They are, though, very sweet, laid back dogs, with a lower energy level, not aggressive (there will be exceptions in every breed) and might be a good choice. If you pick a basset and it's your first dog, make sure you select a good breeder - one who will be available to you to answer questions, give tips on training, etc.

Good luck picking a dog. (I'm really prejudiced here because I have 3 of them - have you ever thought of rescuing a racing greyhound. They are extremely mellow, quiet in the house, affection sponges, good with kids. Most are good with other dogs, a lot are not safe with cats, but if you get a greyhound from a rescue organization in your area, the dog will have been tested for temperament.)

Answer 4

Beagles can be quite difficult to train, as all pack dogs can be. Any hunting dog which is breed to hunt game in a pack pays most of its attention to the group and not a single person. Scent hunting dogs probaly are the least attentive. However, with consistent training from the earliest age this can be overcome. Also Beagles have a problem that is the cause of many being sent to shelters, baying (or loud barking all the time). Are you going to be OK with this? The baying is probably the loudest sound ANY dog can make despite the small size of the beagle. I ope you will ask yourself if you and your neighbors will all enjoy the sound of the beagle BEFORE you buy one.

Bassett hound are stubborn as an instinct so if you get one don't allow the stubborness to interfere with yor training and care. Also it is mandatory that they as well as beagles get lots of exercise. They both eat a lot and if not exercised sufficiently will have major health problems. Both are more work than an average dog. If you just want a pet I suggest a smaller dog from a shelter.

Answer 5

Beagles are great for kids and not aggressive at all, unless you teach them to be or torture them.

I have had many of them. They are beautiful dogs.

The males are a little stubborn I find. But they are extremely smart.

Do not get one if you don't wanna here it howl, especially outside. They are great for annoying the neighbors.

They also like to run and may take off on you, once that nose gets a whiff of something it likes it takes on a life of it's own.

Mine was great, not hard to train, like any dog you need patience and persistance. I taught it to roll over by tapping the floor in less then 20 minutes. He did all kinds of tricks. I prefer the males. My female was great too, but I miss Duke the most....

Goodluck,

;)Angie

P.S. Bassets are horrible. Had one of those too. They get nasty ear infections that stink like rotting meat and require alot of maintenance. They also move in like slow motion and howl way worse then beagles.... Don't do it!

Also, I agree with the person below mine, mixed breeds are great. I have a Chocolate Lab/Miniature Pinscher and he is the best dog in the world. Oakley is the smartest, most loyal and protective dog I have ever owned. Rescued dogs really do appreciate their owners. Finding a already house trained dog would be your best bet.

Answer 6

Any dog or animal can be hard to train. You must establish who is boss with this breed. Any dog or animal will take advantage in any given situation. Make sure you have lots of love and attention without heated words. Be gentle, but very firm. Animals will do as they like without rules. They are just like children without rules.

Labs are your best dog to handle. Depends on how well love and attention give to puppies. Each pure breeds are breed for a certain job. Hunting, tracking, guarding, and so on. Mixed breeds are the smartest and the bravies and best companions. You get alittle bit of other breeds in personality.

Answer 7

It depends if the dog is really crazy then it might be really hard to train but if u get them while there a puppy you will probobley have a nicer chance of being able to train the dog well.

Answer 8

we currently have 2 beagles, and while we love them to pieces, i wouldn't highly recommend them for everyone. if there are kids in the home, a definite no. beagles are a "hound" dog, so any other animal around them is suspect. they are loyal and loving, and just look so darn pretty!!! but they are hard to train....can be very stubborn. and they'll eat just about anything!! best wishes for you and your new pup!!

Answer 9

Beagles are HOUNDS;bred for CENTURIES to follow SCENT!! You have to work "against the grain" a bit,BUT..you have to TRAIN EVERY DOG!!! Basset much the same but BIGGER & S-L-O-W-E-R...
GSP are VERY high-level activity!

Magic wand time??GO to the AKC & READ THE BREED STANDARDS!!!

Answer 10

Beagles are wonderful dogs, they are very good house dogs also, and as for the dog listening, they are very good, we had 4 beagles, and they were hunting dogs.....(rabbits)... if they didnt listen, then my husband would have givin up on them yrs ago.