Beagle Howling

[bohemianfey]

My beagle Lain has a REALLY bad howling problem and she doesn't mind very well. I'm at my wits end with this, does anyone have any bark training advice?

[J_A_IT]

Howling, or "Baying" is a breed characteristic of the Beagle.

[bohemianfey]

I know that, the thing is she gets into an obsessive mode where she'll howl absolutely nonstop, one bay after another for like 5-10 minutes. I think my neighbors are starting to get really upset. I'm afraid they'll call animal control.

[Cassiepeia]

This is completely normal behaviour for a Beagle. There isn't anything you can do about it.

Cass.

[Jamilupine]

Yes, howling is a characteristic of the breed, but I might suggest a few things.

First: you mentioned that she doesn't mind very well - I would enroll in obedience classes and stay in them until you can maintain her behavior without being in the classes.

Second: teach her to "speak" on command (I know it sounds counter productive, but I've heard it works) and teach a "quiet" command. "Quiet" is a tough command, but basically, as soon as she stops barking say: "Quiet! Good girl." and give a treat.

Third: if you are overly concerned about your neighbors, perhaps you should talk with them about it before they take any action. If they feel comfortable talking with you about it, then they will be less likely to call animal control.

Also, is she outside primarily? When does the howling occur? How much exercise is she getting? Is she crate trained? Have you investigated to find out what she's howling at?

[bohemianfey]

Outside primarily, oh my no. She just goes out to potty and play, never unsupervised.

She's a tough cookie, because she knows that she's being bad. She purposefully ignores, even though she knows better. It's frustrating.

This behaviour from her started in the last month or so, so I think there might be something that's triggering her. A new dog down the street or something.

I'll try to teach her the "speak" and "quiet" commands, thanks!

[Cassiepeia]

It could be that she's smelling something interesting or different. I think that's what they're bred to do, isn't it? Bark/bay/howl when they scent something?

She's a tough cookie, because she knows that she's being bad. She purposefully ignores, even though she knows better.

Try not to humanise her. Most likely she doesn't know she's being 'bad' and she doesn't know better.


Cass.

[bohemianfey]

I'm not, Lain is the only dog who I've ever said "knows she's being bad" she'll do things like run faster if I call her and she doesn't want to come in, or if I catch her doing something like sniffing the trash she instantly pretends like she wasn't. She's a tricking dog. Or if I come into a room where she's done something inappropriate she'll run into the bedroom and hide under the bed before I even say anything. She's the "wait until they aren't looking then get into trouble" type. It's frustrating, but funny at the same time.

I know that my neighbor just got a puppy, she could be smelling that perhaps..

[KennelMom]

Originally Posted by Cassiepeia

This is completely normal behaviour for a Beagle. There isn't anything you can do about it.

Cass.

Exactly. I've boarded a couple beagles and each one reminds me WHY I'll never own a barky/howly breed! Beagles are cute but definitely vocal.

I think trying to teach a beagle not to howl would be like teaching a greyhound not to run. Yeah, you could probably do it but you'd be fighting an uphill battle.

[bohemianfey]

Originally Posted by KennelMom

Exactly. I've boarded a couple beagles and each one reminds me WHY I'll never own a barky/howly breed! Beagles are cute but definitely vocal.

I think trying to teach a beagle not to howl would be like teaching a greyhound not to run. Yeah, you could probably do it but you'd be fighting an uphill battle.

I don't want to teach her NOT to howl I just need to find a way to make her stop if she's being excessively noisey.

[Jamilupine]

I think you can do it. Lucy hardly ever howls. when she's outside and she starts barking I bring her in immeadiately. She learned quickly! (she also learned that if she wants in she can bark at the door!)

I understand what you mean when you say she knows when she's in trouble. When Lucy does something bad and I walk into the room, she puts her head down, walks slowly over to me, and rolls over. A good ploy too, VERY hard to stay mad unless she did something REALLY wrong (like eating me shoes!).

I'm assuming your beagle is like mine - very treat oriented? If so, you can quickly teach all kinds of behavior. Use them to your advantage!

A comment on the running when called - don't call her to you to end a play time - go get her. Lucy only gets called for treats or to retrieve the ball from her so we can play fetch. As a result, she is fairly good with her recall. If we need to go, I lure her over to me in various other ways, but never with a "come" command. Basically, to repeat my trainer, never call a dog when something the dog will percieve as unpleasent will happen immeadiately after. (you may already know all this!)

Bottom line, I think you can teach your pup to stop howling on command. Just be consisent and remember that it is part of her breed, so she can't help that she starts barking!

[bohemianfey]

Yes, my beagle is VERY VERY treat oriented. She'll do almost anything for a treat, the problem is my backyard has a very large, steep hill that I have trouble climbing and she runs up there because she knows I won't follow her. She's a stubborn little thing, but I know I'll crack her somehow!

[sgoehner]

When you mentioned that she only goes outside to Potty and play, do you take her for walks also. I know that with Maggie if she doesn't get to go for walks she gets bored, and then barks.

[bohemianfey]

I take her with me when I go for my jogs in the morning and afternoon. She's a good jogging dog, especially considering she's a beagle.

[Jamilupine]

Maybe try a long lead (light weight rope) so that she can't make it up the hill, or so that you can catch the end of the rope and prevent her from getting too far?