My beloved little beagle did her first dissappearing act the other night for 3 hours.  I had her drowned, run over by a train, kidnapped and run over in the space of this time.  Now I know this is 'normal' behaviour for them but I was just wondering do they only do it a couple of times and then realise its not such a good idea or do they do it for the rest of their lives?  I dont think she did it deliberately as she chased after a duck which Molly initially chased after and got totally lost in the very long grass.  She was waiting outside a house which looked the same as ours and was very cuddly and sheepish for two days after.

If my Beagle was anything to go by they will continue to do it given the opportunity as the hunting instinct takes over and they are away. My Jal was fine if I kept him in sight but if he went out of sight..... Mind you he didn't do it eveyday or even weekly just once in a while.

Anne

My husband's old beagle did this at every opportunity too. Until she did indeed get killed by a train. :( It's a hound thing, I'm afraid.

And people tell me dalmatians are difficult ;)  Thats it I am sticking with me dallies I am too old for the worry of whether they will come back or not.  I did more excercise in those 3 hours than I have done in years.

My aunt's beagle ran off for most of his 17 years, if he got the opportunity. The funniest time was when she took him to visit an old family friend on the Isle of Wight. He came back eventually carrying a still warm, leg of lamb (probably pinched from the kitchen of one of the local hotel/B&Bs) :D :D

Daisy

I'm afraid I have to say it's a hound thing too.  All of my dachsies have wandered, more i have to say as puppies but the girl I have who is now 3 still loves to take herself off hunting sometimes - especially if the 16 month lad is with her - think she is showing off.

We have a beagle and our breeder told us that when they get a scent or a view of something they will always go after it. Apparently and im only going on her say so, they will always go back to the last place they saw you first, if you are not there then they will wander off looking for you. The only worry i have that if someone feeds mine he will never come back because they love food!! if he can see or amell any he sits in the kitchen until we give him something!!