Beagle training and education

Raising a dog is about developing correct behavior. This is the basis for successful training. Training is a set of activities aimed at training specific teams. It is necessary to start raising a puppy from the very first days of his appearance in the house. If you work with your pets from a very early age, then you are on the right track.

The Beagle is one of the ancient dog breeds. Initially, they were bred to help hunters. They are considered excellent rabbit hunters. Modern beagles are not only good hunters, but also excellent companions.

Country of origin : UK
Height at withers : male: 36–41 cm, female: 33–38 cm
Weight : male: 10–11 kg, female: 9–10 kg
Lifespan : 12-15 years
Use : Hunting, Companion Dog
Other names : English beagle

When to start training a dog

As soon as a Beagle puppy appears in your home, immediately begin to build a relationship with him. From the first day it is necessary to provide him with everything he needs: bowls for water and food, collar, leash, bed, suitable food, toys and of course treats. You need to give him a lot of attention so that he feels safe and begins to trust you. From a very early age, a beagle puppy needs to be introduced to commands. In addition, in the first months it is necessary to study commands both at home and on the street. First, the puppy must remember its name. We wrote how to choose a suitable nickname in one of our articles. The name should be short, easy to remember and the dog should be called only by it. When the pet has already mastered its name and finally begins to respond, then we move on to commands. By the 3rd month he should master the following commands: “Ugh!”, “Come to me!”, “Place!”, “Nearby!” and “Fetch!” (optional). Then you can move on to the rest, of course, if you need them.

Regularity is a sign of mastery

We have already mentioned above that one of the parameters of high-quality training is its regularity. So, beagles have more than enough energy and, believe me, if the dog does not let it out on time, training will not work, because the animal will decide that the most optimal activity for it now is running, and not listening to its boring owner. That is why before training or at other times it is necessary to give the beagle a good run. However, this can be done during walks to ensure that the dog goes to the toilet. It is best that such a walk lasts at least one hour. This way the pet will not only do all its business, but also:

will spend the energy accumulated during the night;
At the same time, it will increase attentiveness to your teams.

An excellent option would be a game of throwing a stick or a ball.

How to raise a beagle puppy

If you train your pet correctly, then over time you will get an obedient dog that will follow all commands and delight you every day. Experts believe that several factors may influence the beagle's receptivity to following various commands:

pet's temperament - the speed of the pet's reaction to stimuli, both positive and negative;
character - how exactly the dog resists various unpleasant influences;
obedience - the dog’s ability to accept human leadership;
vigilance - the speed with which the dog notices potential danger, both in relation to itself and in relation to the owner;
aggressiveness - the pet’s ability to react hostilely to potential danger;
curiosity - interest that is developed when a dog feels, hears and sees something;
sociability - the ability to interact with people;
possessiveness is the interest shown by animals in certain objects, for example toys.

How quickly your dog will learn commands depends on which traits predominate in the character of a beagle puppy. By paying attention to the character traits of your animal, you can find an approach to it and adjust its behavior in certain situations.

Eagerness will get you nowhere . You should not try to teach your beagle puppy all the commands at the same time; you need to learn the commands one at a time. You need to have patience and act methodically. You should not scold your pet at the moment when he makes mistakes, and when he succeeds in something, then the pet should be encouraged.
Don't hit . It is prohibited to use physical punishment against a pet. You should limit yourself to variable intonation, but avoid shouting. After the Beagle puppy is three months old, it is allowed to use a light spank as punishment while saying the phrase “Ew.” It is necessary to punish immediately when the animal commits an offense, and not after it, since the animal simply will not understand what exactly it was punished for.
Subsequence . The main goal is to ensure that the pet follows the command the first time. Commands should be pronounced clearly and in an even voice so that the dog understands and obeys you. All family members should be involved in raising the dog, but they must act together. It is forbidden to allow situations in which you scold the puppy, and another family member praises him or simply does not pay attention.
Pamper . Remember to reward your Beagle puppy with a variety of treats and praise when he has done what is asked of him.

Third stage

This phase of training goes through those beagles whose owners purchased a puppy of this breed specifically for hunting. Developing the ability to hunt in a hound is not difficult, since hunting instincts are in its blood.

First of all, you need to provide the dog with the necessary conditions so that it can use its instincts. To do this, you must take your pet to a suitable area where the beagle can gain experience. Your goal is to teach your dog basic hunting commands and complete obedience.

Only a mentally and physically healthy pet is ready for such training. Therefore, the beagle begins to be trained after six months, when it is already fully adapted to the world around it and perfectly follows basic commands. Only an easily controlled dog will be able to obey you unquestioningly.

Before you start hunting with your pet, there are some guidelines you should follow.

First, check with your region's hunting club for specific time-of-year hunting rules.

Secondly, decide on the area where, for example, rabbits are found. Be sure to obtain permission to use the territory from the organization that owns it.

Third, purchase the appropriate equipment not only for yourself, but also for your beagle. Don't forget to bring fresh water, food, reward treats, and bowls.

Fourth, take care of safety - find out the expected weather for the chosen day, study the area in advance for possible obstacles. Be sure to have a first aid kit ready in case of emergency. Tell your relatives and owners of the territory in advance your future route and expected return time.

Never bring your dog to the point of complete exhaustion, this can harm the beagle's physical condition and its psyche.

After a solo hunt, you can train your beagle to track and hunt in a pack.

What stage of education and training has your dog gone through? Share your experience with us.

Basic commands

You will use some commands more often, others less often. But they will still come in handy to easily interact with your beagle and even keep him safe in various situations.

Aport. One of the most difficult teams. Many people perceive it as very easy and simple, but with many dogs you will have to work hard. This skill is used for other exercises: searching, searching, selecting an item and many others. Usually they are all used in service. When working out a command, “Aport” and “Give” are used, and a gesture is also used.
Give. On the command “Give” the dog must give up the object.
Lie. A connecting command that needs to be learned for other commands. In addition, it will not interfere at home or on the street.
To me. You will need to use this command quite often. So start with it immediately after your beagle puppy has learned his name. Never call the dog to punish, and do not scold if it comes on its own, even after mischievousness before it. This behavior on your part may alienate the animal.
Place. A puppy or an adult dog must clearly know where his place is located. He can sleep anywhere, if you allow it, of course, but he must know this command. You can use it outside the home, marking the place with a leash or your favorite toy.
Near. It is possible to teach your pet the “Near” command at any age, be it an adult dog or a small puppy. When you move to a new home, you should immediately think about training your puppy.
Sit. One of the very first commands that a beagle puppy should learn.
Stand. The command is useful in everyday life, for example, for combing a dog.
. The prohibiting command is one of the most mandatory and taming it begins from the first day the puppy appears in the house. Requiring the command “Fu!”, “No!”, “No!” - immediately stop the unwanted action.

Second phase

In the second phase of training, there is a transition to more complex commands, that is, the beagle begins to develop certain training skills. It is necessary to begin training when the dog is already six months old. Now you must conduct certain lessons with your dog, devoting ten to fifteen minutes to them.

Beagles do not know how to concentrate on one subject for a long time, so they will not be able to devote much time to practicing one command. As a result, they will lose interest in learning and will not be able to learn the skill. A fifteen-minute lesson should be rich and exciting - teach the puppy while playing.

Don't forget to praise your child for doing the right thing. As a reward for your beagle, some kind of treat is suitable: pieces of food or low-fat cheese. You can combine a treat with stroking, verbal praise, gradually replacing one with the other. The dog will want to get something pleasant from you.

After six months, the beagle is taught the commands “near”, “barrier”, “forward”, “fetch”, “teeth”. They are also trained in basic tricks – “give me your paw”, “freeze”. Additionally, they perform physical exercises: running, swimming, walking next to the owner.

If you and your pet want to take part in dog sports, then you need to prepare for any category:

appearance exhibitions;
training competitions, for example, running along a track with obstacles - agility.

Raising a dog

Education is the process of shaping beagle behavior acceptable to the owner, when this behavior is not regulated by commands.
During upbringing, a dog develops relationships with its owner, family members, passers-by, behavior in the house, on the street, and relationships with other dogs. The training process begins immediately when the dog first appears in the house and continues throughout the dog’s life. Regardless of the dog's breed, it must be trained. Just as people do not like ill-mannered people, dogs should also know what is allowed and what is not allowed. Raising a dog is a rather complex process, which is not limited to learning just a few commands. The main goal of education is that the dog should become pleasant to talk to. In addition, it must be manageable at some points, otherwise it will be very difficult for the dog owner. In the broadest sense of the word, dog training is about teaching the dog commands such as “Bad” and “No”. But besides this, the dog must know what is good and what is bad, even in those moments when the owner is not around. Some believe that the beagle only understands commands, but cannot generalize. Only those who, as a rule, never had dogs, and studied them only in laboratory conditions, in which dogs were not able to show their full potential, are convinced of this, as well as those who, due to their personal qualities, were unable to establish a relationship with pet. In real life, the beagle is a pack animal and therefore, like any other pack animal, needs to communicate with members of its family. In this situation, the dog’s family members are people. It is quite stupid to think that if a dog caresses you, this means that his skin is itching. In order for a dog’s nervous system to function normally, it needs affection, love, communication, and praise. In addition, so-called “inhibiting factors” are required, because if the dog is allowed everything, then this will not lead to anything good. When raising a beagle puppy, you should pay attention to the genetic characteristics of the breed. A family is a pack in which there must be a leader, in this case the leader is a person. The leader punishes, plays, feeds, caresses, praises and scolds. All other members of the owner's family are ranked by rank. At that moment, while the puppy is small, all other family members are senior to him. However, in the process of growing up, around the age of one year, the dog begins to look for its place in the hierarchical pyramid. Naturally, she will try to take the step that is as high as possible. She can do this with the help of force, in the case of large dogs, or with the help of cunning, as small dogs do. The more ill-mannered the dog is, the more difficult this process will be. If the owner from the first days shows his pet that the one who has the power is right, then he will turn out to be a frail neurotic or an evil beast with whom you will hardly communicate with joy. A beagle puppy must understand that he must obey people, since they love him, feed him, and raise him. Understand that prohibitions are not the whim of the owner, but a way to protect everyone from trouble. The main influence on the dog should be the voice. From the first days of being in your home, the puppy must realize that you love him, and if you raise your voice, then this means that he is doing something wrong. One of the best incentives for a pet is considered to be a treat, which should be given out for good behavior and listening to commands. Beagle training and education

Motivation is the key to successful training

As we have already said, the name of the Beagle breed is practically synonymous with the word “active”. These dogs were bred in England and were given the honorable role of trackers on hunts.

Once upon a time, the beagle was an integral companion of the English nobility - a real hunter

Their task was to track prey. By the way, this also determined in detail the fact that these pets became very independent, because, in fact, it was they who decided where the entire crowd, consisting of:

hounds chasing prey;
fox terriers, who extracted particularly clever foxes from their holes;
the owners who carried guns;
the horses the owners rode.

The Beagle is not the easiest breed, so you need to learn how to train it.

Now such cruel entertainment as hunting has practically sunk into oblivion. We do not regret this, and even rejoice, but beagles still exist next to us, and the need for constant movement and active games, instilled by dog breeders, has not gone away. Therefore, the owners have the task of providing dogs of this breed with quality training. What do they mean? Here are the main criteria:

intensity;
regularity;
sufficient duration of each lesson.

You will be surprised, but you need to conduct classes 2 times a day! This unexpected circumstance for many has become the reason that beagles have a bad reputation among dog lovers.

The Beagle is a very active dog, so buying one for children is a bad idea.

Very often, people buy such a dog for small children so that they can exercise with it, but no child can give a dog such a tough and intense load without the help of adults, hence various problems arise, such as:

damaged furniture;
messy bowel movements at home;
overly aggressive games with the owners;
anger at other pets, etc.

It is important to understand that the beagle is a working dog. Therefore, you need to train your dog often and for as long as it takes for the animal to learn a certain set of commands.

What is needed to conduct such training? Of course, your own motivation. Motivated owners can achieve not only perfect obedience from their dog, but literally anything they want. Preserving and cultivating this motivation is directly your task.

To raise a beagle, you need to establish a routine for literally everything: walking, training, feeding, sleeping.

So, for example, you can maintain motivation for training with your beagle using the following arguments:

a trained dog lives on average 3-4 years longer than one who spends his life aimlessly on the couch;
training allows you to achieve a greater understanding of the dog’s behavior;
regular training is a great way to gain the authority of a beagle and gain the status of a master in his eyes;
through training in various commands, you can achieve such convenient phenomena as giving slippers, bringing the ball directly into your hands, etc.;
training ensures the safety of your property and nerves.

If your pet gives his all during training, he will have no desire to damage property

If all of the above conditions are significant enough for you, I think there should be no problems with motivation.

Basic Rules

Spitz training at home for beginners

Beagle training should be consistent and systematic. There are a number of rules that must be followed to achieve success:

Do not start learning a new command until the previous one has been mastered.
Ensure that the command is compulsory, otherwise the dog will decide that it can evade obedience.
Classes should be conducted in an area that is familiar to the beagle, otherwise he will be constantly distracted and try to explore it.
The duration of training should be no more than 15–20 minutes for puppies and no less than 30 minutes for adults. You need to repeat classes twice a day.
The lesson should focus on rewards, as beagles do not tolerate punishment very well.
You can use treats, praise, or a toy as a reward for following commands.
If reprimand is unavoidable, it is recommended to show care or ignore the animal. You can only express disapproval in a loud but calm voice.
Punishment must follow immediately after the offense. After 3-5 minutes, attempts to correct behavior will be useless.

Puppy training should last no more than 20 minutes.

In addition to training as such, you need to set boundaries for behavior in the house for the dog. The beagle should not be allowed to sleep on the owner's bed or sofa, spoil clothes or furniture, or eat anything other than regular meals. You should also control the tendency to jump on people and bite them, even in a fit of joyful excitement.

How to train someone to stay alone at home and not howl?

Gradually, the puppy should begin to be accustomed to short-term solitude; at this time, the beagle should have enough toys so that it does not get bored. You should not give your dog your old slippers as toys - if he smells you, he will be able to do the same with your shoes.

Over time, increase the time you are away from home. This way the dog will get used to being alone.

Hygiene

Hygiene procedures are an important part of caring for a beagle at home. Proper content reduces the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases.

The Beagle is a real mess. He loves to dig, swim in ponds, roll in the mud, and carry garbage.

Therefore, timely hygiene procedures will save the owner from damaged carpets, dirty furniture and a destroyed apartment.

Bathing puppies and adult dogs

The Beagle's coat is short and does not require special care. It is enough to stroke the cover with a glove brush once a week.

Frequent bathing is prohibited; detergents lead to peeling of the skin and destruction of the natural environment of the dermis.

Eyes

Proper eye care is the key to the absence of ophthalmological problems. You need to wipe your mucous membranes every day with chamomile infusion. Usually such care is sufficient. The accumulation of mucus or pus in the corners indicates the development of an infection or disorders in the eye apparatus. In this case, you need to contact a veterinarian.

Teeth

In the wild, wolves and predators remove plaque from teeth by gnawing on bones or chewing plants and branches. A beagle living in an apartment does not have the opportunity to chew on fibrous natural foods every day. Therefore, his incisors are covered with plaque, which over time turns into tartar.

It is recommended to brush Beagles' teeth at least once a week, using a medium-hard brush and toothpaste for dogs. You can give chewable treats designed to clean the mouth.

Ears

The beagle's ears are long and require serious care. While walking or hunting, they collect all thorns, weeds, and garbage (chewing gum, polyethylene).

The beagle literally sweeps the ground with its ears, lowering its head when searching for a new smell. Therefore, the owner should inspect the ears daily for contamination. Wipe them with veterinary lotion.

Claws

An active beagle living in an apartment wears its claws on the asphalt during walks. But this may not happen if the local area has predominantly soft soils. Therefore, it is recommended to trim your pets’ nails every 1.5–2 months.

Breed standard

Weight - from 8 to 11 kg.

Height at the withers is 33-41 cm. Males are slightly larger than females and more powerfully built.

Color may vary significantly. The classic three-color color black/red/white and two-color white and red are common. All colors can be spotted. The tip of the tail is white.

The coat is thick, smooth, lying close to the body. It protects well from bad weather without allowing moisture to pass through.

There are varieties of the breed. European beagle and American. The difference is in color, the American beagle is slightly larger than the European one.

Charming appearance, endless friendliness and patience

Diet

You may be surprised, but the diet for dogs is almost one of the most important aspects of training. The stricter you are about feeding, the healthier your dog will be. So, first of all, you need to understand that you cannot allow your dog to eat during the day. The food in the bowl should appear with the following frequency:

in small puppies 5-6 times a day;
for adults - 3-4;
adult dogs eat 2 times a day, morning and evening.

Treats are a great reason to reward your pet for following some commands.

The number of walks your animal needs depends on the frequency of feeding. Therefore, gradually, from a small dog to an older one, they are reduced, but at the same time the duration of each of them increases. Puppies can tolerate as many hours as they are currently months old. You need to remember this rule and plan your day in accordance with it. Adult dogs can tolerate 8 hours, but it is dangerous for them to tolerate more.

The amount of food must be calculated according to the following two characteristics of your dog:

age;
weight

If you feed him dry industrial food, there will be no problems with determining the dosage, since manufacturers of high-quality food always put a correspondence table on the side of the pack. When preparing food yourself, it is best to consult a veterinarian about the serving size.

It is imperative to feed your dog at the same time, based on the age and weight of the pet.

Let's sum it up

Training is a multi-stage activity that lasts a lifetime, since without it, dogs quickly relax and begin to show disobedience again. This statement also applies to beagles, because they were former hunting dogs.

Remember: all teams are instilled through perseverance and kindness. By yelling at your dog, you won't achieve much, and you'll lose all respect along the way. Contrary to the prevailing opinion in our dense society, respect does not equal fear, and a dog that is afraid of you is unlikely to obey you. Considering that we are talking about a beagle, sooner or later this will lead to the most unpleasant consequences.

A Beagle can be a great family pet if you both put in the right amount of effort.

Love is the force that will help you move on. Remember this and concentrate all your efforts on training the dog. For this you will be rewarded with the love of your active pet.

Mass entertainer

A hunter who has been carefully selected for centuries, in our years has retrained as a friend, a companion, a playful crowd-pleaser—an entertainer for your children. And, oddly enough, he is ideal for this role.

No matter what happens, believe me, he will always be at the center of things. This good-natured fidget will become a real favorite of the whole family, you will agree to tolerate his innocent pranks in exchange for the boundless devotion that this naughty pupil will reward you with - your one and only beagle.

4 months

The Beagle is a sociable and active breed, so socialization should not be neglected. This breed feels equally at home with both large relatives and miniature breeds, so finding company will not be difficult. Be sure to communicate with adults, they will teach you proper hierarchy “in the pack” and typical behavior in a group of four-legged animals.

To expand your knowledge during this period, it is advisable to sign up for group or individual lessons with a dog handler. An experienced trainer will not allow you to make mistakes when learning more complex commands. The Beagle is a smart dog, and under the guidance of a professional, it is quite capable of mastering and passing the OKD and UGS standards.