Living with a beagle puppy: a field report

The books warn you. The books are right. Here is what beagle puppyhood actually looks like.

The appetite

A beagle puppy treats every meal like it might be the last one on Earth. Food puzzles, slow-feeder bowls and firm rules about the table help. Her acting skills at dinner time deserve an award, but she has, in fact, been fed.

The energy

Expect one or two daily zoomies sessions: ears back, full speed, physics optional. Beagle puppies need real exercise and, even more important, nose work. Ten minutes of sniffing games tire her more than an hour of running.

The training

Beagles are smart but negotiate everything. Recall is the hardest skill of all, because the moment a good smell appears, her ears switch off. Short sessions, great treats and infinite patience win. Harsh corrections just teach her to ignore you.

The verdict

More work than the photos suggest, and worth every minute. There is nothing quite like being greeted as if you had been gone for a year when you only went to the bakery.