Question for beagle owners.

[TNDemo]

I have never owned a beagle before now but six months ago we adopted a beagle/basset mix from a rescue. I have had bassets before and am familiar with them. This dog is five years old. The rescue was giving me some info on her and said she is a beagle her first instinct is to bolt and that given a chance she will take off. This has definitely been the case and when taking a walk with my daughter today she managed to wiggle out of her collar (didn't use the harness today of course) and took off, almost got to the busy road but a man walking his dog grabbed her. We never ever let her outside (even coming from the car to the house) without a leash because we know at any opportunity she will take off.

My question is - is this a lifelong trait with beagles or is this just the behavior of a dog who still does not understand this is home? I have never had a dog that was always trying to be an escape artist.

[amazona]

1. this is normal behavior for beagles

Our beagle was a pampered pet who enjoyed every privilege. Nonetheless, being an escape artist is part of their heritage. Although our beagle did live to old age, he actually died during an accident incurred during one of his escapes.

Doesn't mean he doesn't love you. Doesn't mean he wants to get away from you. But they have a desire to find the rabbits out there in the woods and they just can't resist taking off on a good chase. Don't take it personally. It's in their DNA.

[shraby]

2. If you build an outside pen

for the beagle, put the corner braces on the outside instead of the inside. They will climb up an inside corner brace and get out. My Dad used beagles for hunting rabbits for years.

[pbartch]

5. No is isn't. My "GRETEL" never escaped.

She was a pure bread dog. Gretel did like to run in the fields and forest and she bayed when she was on the scent. Guess she thought she was a rabbit chaser. But......she ALWAYS came back when I called her.

[TNDemo]

3. What about the separation anxiety thing?

She bays and wails when I leave (much more than anyone else). She won't go out to use the bathroom unless I go with her. I started her on Clomicalm a week ago to see if that would help but so far it has had no effect (combined with behavior training). Is this just her or is it a beagle thing to bay when left?

[CottonBear]

6. Will bay, It's a beagle thing.

Check w/ AKC for more info.

edit: sp.

[amazona]

7. no that isn't normal

I don't think our beagle ever bayed in anxiety a day in his life but he was not a five year old rescue. He was a pure-bred pampered from birth. The escape artist thing was for fun, not because of mental illness. He just loved getting out in the woods behind the house and chasing rabbits. When we lived for several years in an area where there was no woods, he got a little fat and sad; when we moved back to a wooded area, he became his old self and went back to the escapee thing.

[CottonBear]

4. Beagles follow their noses.

They will go LONG distances. Microchip, tatoo and collar ID needed.

(I had a beagle)

edit Sp.