Why do Beagles Bark so Much?

Okay, so, there’s good news and and there’s the not so good news. Yes, beagles are known for their barking and howling. They enjoy using their voices and need little reason to bark or howl.

Why do beagles bark so much? That’s because it’s one of the purposes they were bred for, and it’s an intrinsic part of their personality.

Now, the good news. Whereas they can be vocal, beagles are far from the loudest barkers. 

Huskies, german shepherds, huskies, doberman, and a whole bunch of terriers are louder than beagles. In fact, it’s a golden retriever, Charlie, who holds the world record for the loudest recorded bark at 113.1 decibels.

There’s more good news, too. While owning a beagle means accepting some amount of barking and howling, you can train them to reduce it. And a healthy amount of mental and physical exercise for your Beagles will keep them stimulated and reduce their noisy tendencies. 

Keep reading to find out why beagles bark so much, what the barking means, and how you can address excessive barking without resorting to things like e-collars and shouting.

First Understand Your Beagle

Beagles are renowned for their vocal nature, often barking or howling due to their hunting and tracking instincts (estimated to date back hundreds of years). As a hound breed, their deep bark, or howl, is a natural part of their behavior. And, Beagles to bark a lot, if they don’t have enough exercise.

Beagles don’t bark or howl without reason. That said, the triggers for their vocalization might not always be clear. It’s crucial to understand why beagles bark so much, so you can manage their barking.

It’s important to note that beagles are not typically quiet dogs. Younger beagles, especially those under 2 years old, can be particularly energetic and may bark more frequently. 

As they mature and adjust to their home environment, they often become calmer.

While the barking can seem like a sign of stubbornness, beagles are actually some of the most intelligent dogs. They are independent, have excellent stamina, and are easy to train because they are so food motivated.

Not All Barks Are the Same: Beagle Barks Decoded

Due to their hound ancestry, beagles have deep, prolonged barks that can sometimes sound like howls. These are the three ‘beagle songs’ you can expect to hear:

Barking –  This is the typical dog bark. You’ll get to hear most often in their first year. As they grow out of their puppy phase, they’ll mature into other vocalizations.

Baying – Baying is a unique sound resembling a form of doggy yodeling. Beagles use baying to communicate, especially when they are excited or have picked up a scent. This sound is prevalent during hunting as it alerts other dogs to the presence of game. A bay can also be heard when they see strangers or other animals. As your beagle grows older, they’re more likely to bay than bark.

Why Do Beagles Bark So Much?

Howling – Similar to other dogs, a beagle’s howl is a long, drawn-out sound. Beagles might join in howling, especially if they hear other dogs doing so. This instinct can develop early or take some time, but it typically emerges as they mature.

Why is your beagle barking? That’s an easy one to answer, actually. Here are the most common reasons for your beagle barking:

1. Boredom or loneliness – Beagles, especially those with separation anxiety, often bark when left alone for too long. They need regular interaction and mental stimulation.
2. Hunger – Dogs have an excellent sense of time and can get vocal when their meals are late. Make sure you feed your beagle timely or according to their routine. 
3. Alerting to unusual activity or visitors – Beagles are natural watchdogs. They will bark to alert you of strangers approaching the house, which can be beneficial. However, if they bark at familiar faces like friends or neighbors, they may need targeted training manage it.
4. Desire to play – Beagles are active dogs that need regular playtime and interaction with their family. They were bred to be companions, so they thrive on activities like car rides, neighborhood walks, and yard games.
5. Need to go outside – When your Beagle barks to indicate they need to go out, it’s a positive behavior indicating successful house training. This bark should be encouraged and praised.
6. Seeing other animals or dogs – It’s common for beagles to bark at other animals. If your beagle barks at every bird, squirrel, or passerby, it might be best to move their favorite lookout spot to a less stimulating area. 

A Very Common Mistake Beagle Parents Make

Excessive barking from your beagle can sometimes be unwelcome. Especially if you’re in the middle of work or trying to put your baby to sleep, it can be particularly inconvenient.

And that’s where people make the mistake of engaging with the barking–therefore enabling the barking.

While it’s good that your beagle wants to interact with you, this behavior can turn into a way for them to manipulate you for extra food, treats, attention, or other rewards. 

If you respond to this type of barking by giving in to their demands, you unintentionally reinforce the behavior. Your beagle learns that barking gets them what they want, making the problem worse.

If you give in and feed them or pet them, or even shout at them, you are rewarding barking. Ignoring the barking and only rewarding quiet behavior can help teach your beagle that silence, not barking, gets them what they want. 

To address this, consistent and firm training is necessary to break the habit. Yes, it will require patience and persistence on your part, but it is essential to prevent reinforcing unwanted barking behavior.

How to Stop a Beagle From Barking

Now you know why beagles bark and the most common mistake people make, let’s look at what you should be doing to stop your beagle from barking. 

Boredom is Bad: Keep Your Beagle Engaged

Exercise

Ensure your beagle gets plenty of exercise. These dogs are bred for endurance and need plenty of physical activity. Aim to take them out for exercise 2 to 3 times a day. Activities like fetch can be particularly effective, as they allow your beagle to run more while you do less.

Note that overwalking or overexercising can injure beagle puppies, so be mindful. Also, senior beagles’ will have their individual needs, so make sure you don’t push them into doing something they physically cannot.

Chew Toys

Provide your beagle with durable chew toys to keep them occupied. Chewing can satisfy their urge to use their mouths without resorting to barking. 

Always supervise your dog with chews like rawhide to avoid choking hazards. Beware, chew toys that make a loud sound or emit howling may encourage further howling.

Puzzle Feeders

Beagles are intelligent and food-motivated. Use puzzle feeders to make mealtime more engaging and extend the duration of their eating. This reduces boredom and keeps their minds occupied.

Interactive Play

If you’re leaving your beagle alone for a long time, make sure they have various toys and puzzles to keep them entertained. Food-motivated tricks, such as wrapping biscuits in a rolled-up newspaper or hiding treats in a taped cardboard box, can keep them busy for a half hour or more. 

Mental exercises also tire them out, so they’ll get more peaceful rest, too.

Eliminate Barking Triggers

Restrict the View Out of Windows

Beagles often bark at people passing by because they see it as a successful deterrent. This is what your beagle perceives: a pedestrian came into view, they barked, the pedestrian left the area. Basically, it’s self-rewarding behavior.

Prevent this by blocking their view. Rearrange furniture so they can’t sit on the window ledge or use half curtains or frosted glass to obscure the view from outside.

Don’t Leave Your Beagle in the Yard Unattended

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It can be tempting to leave your beagle in a safe enclosed space where they can “vent their energy.” Actually, they can quickly become bored and bark at people passing by to release their energy. 

Avoid leaving your Beagle unattended in the yard for extended periods. Supervise their outdoor time and engage them in activities to keep them occupied.

Don’t Shout at Your Dog to Stop

We talked about this as one of the most common mistakes beagle parents make. By shouting, you are providing negative attention. Shouting at your beagle to be quiet can backfire, as they may interpret this as you joining in the barking. 

If anything, this will increase their excitement and lead to more barking. Instead, try to ignore the barking or acknowledge it briefly and calmly with a phrase like, “Thanks, bud, I see them at the door.”

Give Your Beagle an Alternative Action

Redirect focus is an effective way to reduce barking, though it’s going to need training.

First, prepare for potential barking triggers by teaching your beagle an alternative action. This can be something like fetching a toy or going to lie on a mat. 

Then, when they start barking, you can direct them to the alternative action and reduce barking.

How to Train a Beagle Not to Bark

Above we tell you how you can reduce barking and address once your beagle does start barking. But, is there a way to train your beagle out of barking? There are several ways, yes. However, you need to be realistic about results. 

Whereas these are extremely effective, they will not ‘solve’ barking. Your beagle is a hound…and dogs bark.

Teaching the ‘Bark’ and ‘Quiet’ Commands

This may seem counterintuitive, but by training your beagle to bark on command, you can effectively teach the opposite command, ‘quiet’. This makes “not barking” a behavior that can be rewarded, making it attractive for your dog to comply. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Teach the ‘Bark’ Command

Start by finding a way to make your beagle bark. 

One method is to use your fist to knock on a door or wall behind your back. When your beagle barks, praise them and say “Bark” in an enthusiastic tone. Then reward them with a small treat.

2. Practice ‘Bark’

Practice this command until you are confident that your beagle will bark on command. 

After several repetitions, start saying “Bark” before knocking. If your dog barks, give lots of praise and a treat. Keep repeating until your beagle consistently barks on command.

3. Teach the ‘Quiet’ Command

Have your dog bark and then give them a treat. While they are eating and silent, say “Quiet”. 

When they finish chewing, gently hold their mouth closed and repeat “Quiet”. Give them another treat immediately. 

Again, repeat this until your dog learns to not bark when you say “Quiet.”

4. Alternate ‘Bark’ with ‘Quiet’

Now it’s time to reinforce both commands. 

Continue working on both commands alternately. Over time, “Quiet” will become ingrained, and you can use it to stop your beagle from barking in other situations.

Practical Tips to Reduce/Stop Your Beagle Barking and Lunging

Beagles, especially when they are less than 2 years old, are prone to barking at home, barking in public, and lunging (often so strongly you struggle to hold on). They don’t mean it maliciously, but that’s just their natural reaction to stimuli.

Managing a Beagle’s barking, hyperfocus, and lunging can be challenging, but there are effective strategies to address these behaviors without resorting to negative reinforcement.

Resorting to negative reinforcement? It can be tempting, but know that the jury’s out on e-collars, shouting, sprays, and other forms of negative reinforcement. Some dogs will start to experience fear and anxiety. Others might become more aggressive. If you are using negative reinforcement to vent your frustration, it’s not going to help your dog. If anything, they’ll pick up on it and start to feel frustration themselves. What’s more, constant use of e-collars can prevent your dog from building a trusting bond with you.

Don’t Underestimate the Gentle Leader

Using a Gentle Leader during walks can give you better control over your beagle. Ensure it fits properly and train your dog to be comfortable with it at home before using it outside. 

A short leash will help you maintain control by minimizing slack. Teach your beagle a command like “Walk on” to redirect their focus when they start to fixate on a trigger. 

Give a gentle tug on the leash, use the command, and reward them when they obey. Always carry treats and reward your dog for staying calm or redirecting their attention to you when they encounter potential triggers.

Gentle leaders give you more control without hurting your beagle. For maximum effectiveness, keep the leash short, with only a little bit of slack.

One Dog, One Dog Walker

If you have multiple dogs when walking, initially focus on one dog at a time or have one person per dog. This allows you to concentrate on training without distractions. 

If your beagle lunges or barks, maintain control with the Gentle Leader and keep walking. 

Reward them with a treat and praise when they start to calm down or respond to a command. 

Prevent your dog from grabbing the leash by holding it close to the end and continuing to walk, even if they attempt to chew it. Invest in a durable leash that can withstand some chewing.

Practice the ‘Quiet’ Command Before You Leave Your Car

Source: Unsplash

If you’re leaving your dog unattended for a little while, practice “Quiet” before you reach your destination. If your dog remains silent, reward them with a treat and praise them plentifully. 

Continue this process until you park and exit the car. If they bark, gently correct with an “Ah-ah” and try again, focusing on rewarding the quiet behavior.

Reward Calm Behavior

Make your dog feel secure in potentially stressful situations. Reward calm behavior and ensure they understand you are in control and will handle any situation. 

If you are calm, your dog is going to be calm. If you start yelling, your dog will too. 

Also, set your dog up for success. If you see a dog in the distance and know that your dog will start barking, give them a wide berth. Your dog will feel less triggered and be more receptive to their training. 

This isn’t an immediate cure; but, over time, you will feel much more confident approaching other pets without your beagle and lunging.

Don’t Worry, You Can Stop Your Beagle Barking and Howling

You’re not alone. Virtually every beagle parent goes through the “my beagle won’t stop barking” phase. Fortunately, most come out of it having built a stronger bond with their faithful friend. And that’s what beagles are – intelligent, loyal companions for life.

Be patient, and give your beagle the time and training they need to manage barking. And, here’s another detailed blog where we’ve provided 12 awesome tips to control your beagle’s barking.