We have a 15 week old Beagle; she has been going to training Classes which are excellent.

When we walk her on the lead in doors, she walks like a pro BUT as soon as you get her outside her nose is flat to the floor and pulls on the lead, not even her favourite treat will lift it.:rolleyes:
We know she is a hound dog (we haven't had one before) and this is in their nature.

Do we just take her out for walks & let her get away with it (will she grow out of it) or do we just take One step, Sit, One Step, Sit, on & on & on & on & on. And not go on proper walks until she picks it up.

Does anybody have any suggestions?

Thank, Tamzyn

Beagles are noses on legs, they were bred to hunt and so they have a predisposition to do this, that is, after all, what they have been designed to do over many many generations.

If you do not want your beagle to have its nose to the floor then you will need to give it a reason to have its nose in the air! :D

However, IME, this requires a great deal of work with most dogs of this kind as this behaviour is self rewarding and of much higher value than anything you can provide.  It can be shaped but it will take a lot of work in incremental steps.......

She's a scenthound - and that's what scenthounds do best :D  You're battling years of instinct which has been bred in.  She's only doing what comes naturally :)
Debs

It's going to be very hard to get her to maintain "head off the ground" indefinitely, as when you're walking around outside.  It will be possible for short periods of time, with a heavy reward frequency, but to build up to any length of time is going to be hard.  Why don't you try one of the head collars?  Personally, I like the Gen Com All in One: http://www.gencon-allin1.co.uk/

Apart from the fact of her nature, she is still only a baby and off course she will want to take in every scent going.  Are you asking this question because your 200ft walk is taking an hour :-D ?  If this is the reason don't worry, as she gets older you will find that she will walk and run along with you, and although always want to have a good sniff it will lessen.

Hi Lyssa,

She can walk for miles & miles this one!

We don't really mind that her nose is to the floor. We can see that she is enjoying herself (Tail Back & Forth)

We just didn't want her to get into bad habits.

Thanks, Tamzyn

i think you should let her do it!
thats what shes breed to do. i would accept her doing it at a brisk pace (tracking pace) & not dalldling /stopping pace)

http://bullyworld.1.forumer.com

Like has been said not only is she a hound with an incredibly powerful nose but she's also a puppy who wants to explore everything and anything.  Personally I don't think it a 'problem' the pulling and sniffing at this stage but the pulling itself may become a 'problem' when she's older - afterall you won't want to be taken for a walk by her ;)  Beagles are renound for going off on a mission following scents for miles and miles so something you will need to do is work on her recall.  If she doesn't have a solid recall when older and you let her off the lead there is a real danger of losing her   If she doesn't have a good recall you can use an extender lead/lunge line everytime you go on walks.  It isn't cruel to not let a dog off the lead - infact it is very sensible for some   Also make sure you're garden is escape proof!

P.S.  I love Beagles :D

My 11 month old Cavalier does exactly the same.  By the time we get home her ears are wet/dirty.  The only time she lifts her head is when we get to a kerb and she sits and looks at me waiting to be told we can cross the road.

I find it a bit frustrating at times because I'm constantly having to look at the ground myself to see if there's anything dangerous she might pick up and eat :rolleyes:

No advice I'm afraid, we just let her do it.