Beagle Barking

What to Do about Beagle Barking

Barking is one of the most common complaints of owners of these favorite family pets. The beagle is a small to medium sized dog that belongs to the Hound group. They were originally bred for tracking small game animals like rabbits, so being part of a hunting pack is simply in their genes. Also some beagles just enjoy barking because the breed tends to be a very verbal one. Understanding these tidbits about the beagle is the first step to dealing with his incessant barking.

 

The next step depends entirely on the cause for the barking.

Here Are Four Common Causes For Beagle Barking And What To Do About Them:

1. Separation Anxiety
   Since beagles tend to be more comfortable in a pack, it is fairly common for barking to be the result of separation anxiety. If you feel like your beagle is barking because of separation anxiety, the best thing you can do for him is to show him that your coming and going is no big deal. Don't pile on the attention the moment you walk in the door. Wait until the barking quits and then lavish attention on your beloved pet. When leaving, also be sure to avoid making a big deal about it.
    
2. Boredom
   Beagles are very playful and love to do work, so barking may be a result of boredom. If there is simply nothing else to do, your dog may start verbalizing his boredom. Be sure that you give your dog plenty of time to run around outside and burn off some of that energy and try to avoid leaving him alone for long stretches at a time.
    
3. Attention Seeking Barking
   Sometimes your beagle won't stop barking because he simply wants your attention. It is essential that you teach your pet that this isn't appropriate behavior. Remember that any kind of reinforcement, including pushing him away or telling him "no," is a sort of reward for the behavior. If beagle barking is the result of wanting attention, then the best thing you can do is ignore the behavior until it quits. Be sure to offer rewards when he stops barking though. For example, if you're on the phone and he starts barking, just turn your back and ignore it. When he finally does quiet down, offer a treat or a pat on the head, even while you are still on the phone, to reward the silence rather than the barking.
    
4. Beagles that Love to VerbalizeIf you are one of the lucky dog owners who deals with barking simply because their pet loves to talk, then you will need to teach him to bark on command so that he doesn't do it at all hours of the day or night when it's inconvenient. Just work on the "speak" and "quiet" commands through obedience training.