Beagle Puppy Training
Beagles are one of America’s favorite dogs and Americans have a love affair with Beagle puppies. That makes Beagle puppy training especially important. If you have a Beagle puppy then you already know that these little guys are as cute as can be, but they can be a challenge when it comes to training.
They are loving, sweet and gentle but, should a rabbit appear or something else that smells interesting, they are apt to follow their nose. They can be quite independent at times, like many hounds. Here are some tips on Beagle puppy training.
Socialization
As with other dogs, Beagle puppies should be well-socialized from a young age. This is particularly important with Beagles since they have long been raised and kept in packs for hunting purposes. This means that the pack instinct may be particularly strong in these dogs and they need extra socialization in order to feel confident when left alone.
You can work on your Beagle puppy’s socialization by taking him to pet store’s that welcome dogs, parks and other places that invite dogs. Start taking your puppy out as soon as he has received all of his vaccinations. You should encourage him to meet other friendly people and dogs. Carry some puppy treats with you so when he meets people who want to pet him they will have a treat to offer him, too.
When it comes to meeting other friendly dogs, make sure that you have the owner’s permission first. Some dogs do not like puppies and they don’t like puppies who leap at them or get in their face. Make sure that both your puppy and the other dog are on their leashes so you can control the situation. Meeting other friendly dogs helps teach your Beagle puppy proper canine manners.
If you have cats or other pets at home then it’s recommended that your socialization should also include some lessons on how to get along with other pets. Beagles are a hunting dog, even if they are intended to be pets. This means that your Beagle puppy may try to chase your cat or your toy dog. Even if you don’t have a cat or other pets, it’s a good idea to introduce your Beagle puppy to these small pets under controlled circumstances and teach him that they shouldn’t be chased. Introduce him to a cat who is not afraid of dogs, for instance, and who won’t run from him (supervised, of coursed). Let him meet some cats when he is very small so he will get used to them. These lessons can teach your Beagle puppy to leave other small pets alone.
If you have rabbits as pets there may not be anything you can do to discourage your Beagle from paying them unwanted attention. Please be very careful and do not allow your Beagle to be left alone with them.
Puppy Preschool
You can also enroll your Beagle puppy in puppy preschool or puppy kindergarten classes. These classes are often offered by pet stores, kennel clubs and animal shelters as a way of teaching puppies good manners and giving them more socialization. Puppies can learn some basic obedience lessons and socialize with other puppies their own age, as well as owners who are happy to pet other puppies. These classes are highly recommended for all puppies.
Training At Home
You may wish to do some Beagle puppy training at home. Beagle puppies are intelligent and curious and they can easily learn basic obedience lessons. You can start training your Beagle puppy between 8 and 10 weeks of age.
Your Beagle puppy will need a collar and leash in order to begin training. You can choose a flat buckle nylon collar and leash. You probably won’t want to spend a lot of money on a collar for your puppy at this age since he will quickly outgrow it. Make sure that you can fit two fingers between the collar and your puppy’s neck so the collar will fit properly. Chain collars or slip collars aren’t usually a good choice for a young puppy since they can hurt your puppy’s nec at this age when he pulls on the leash. You can find nylon collars in all pet stores. They come in many different colors and designs. Choose a nylon leash to match. A six-foot leash is a good choice.
The basic obedience lessons for your Beagle puppy can include teaching him to sit, stand, lie down, come when called and to walk on a leash. Your Beagle puppy should be able to learn these commands in just a few weeks. Your puppy will have a short attention span at this age so you should keep your lessons short: 10-15 minute lessons twice a day are fine. You should try to train each day, however, so your puppy will remember the lessons. Otherwise he may forget what you are teaching him until he has it completely mastered.
Try to make your lessons as fun and upbeat as possible. Your puppy will take his cues from you. If you are positive and cheerful then your puppy will enjoy training. If you are grumpy and don’t want to train, then your puppy won’t want to be there either.
There may be times when you need to correct your puppy. When this occurs remember to be firm and gentle but do not be harsh with your puppy.
Of course, this article is only able to cover a small selection of the facts on training a Beagle puppy. There are many different facts to consider and it’s important to get them right. When possible, get a good solid guide to show you everything you need to train your Beagle puppy since this is an important time for your puppy to learn.