How To Train A Beagle

Beagles are known for their stubborn natures, but they are actually easy to train if you are consistent in your training techniques and use proper motivational techniques.

One of the things that Beagles are most notorious for is the difficulty in potty training them. For the Beagle owner in the midst of trying to handle this problem, just remember that potty training methods are the same regardless of the breed. It’s important to be consistent during training so your Beagle puppy understands exactly what it is being asked to do.

It will help to maintain a regular feeding schedule for your puppy which will make it easier for you to anticipate when it needs to go outside to take care of its bodily functions.

During the training period when you take your puppy outside, stand in one spot until the pup is finished with its business, then you can let it explore and sniff the trees and bushes as much as it wants (or as long as you have the patience for it).

Never leave your beagle unsupervised in the house until you are sure that it is potty trained. If you notice your puppy sniffing around the furniture and acting like it’s looking for a place to pee, head for the door as quickly as possible.

Beagles are extraordinary sniffers and are easily distracted by most smells. This often causes them to wander away, paying no attention to you. For this reason it’s important to always keep your dog on a leash until such time you’ve trained it to respond to your every command, especially “come.” It’s important that your dog comes to you every time you call it. To assist in your puppy learning this, reward it with tasty treats when it obeys your commands.

As sniffing nearly everything in sight is a Beagle’s favorite pastime, you’ll notice that your dog doesn’t pay much attention to you when you’re out on walks. To change this behavior and make it more attentive to your commands, teach the dog to focus on your commands by giving it a treat when you call its name and it responds by coming to you without hesitation.

Keep the dog’s leash loose, even while it’s sniffing around. If the leash gets tight it means the dog is not paying attention to you, and the best thing you can do is just to stop cold in your tracks and wait for the dog to understand who’s in charge of the walk. You can also walk away from whatever is distracting the dog until the leash once again is loose. This will help the dog learn that it only gets to enjoy a walk when the leash is loose.

Beagles can be downright stubborn so it’s important to teach them who’s in command at all times. What’s interesting about this requirement is that you’ll have to be more stubborn than your Beagle during the training period.

Dog Trainers: How to Choose One

So you’ve adopted a new dog or puppy and don’t have the time or patience to train your new friend, but you realize that proper training will make a major difference in how you and your new pet relate to each other.

It can be difficult choosing the right trainer, one that you can trust to train your dog the right way and who can also connect with your dog on a level where the training quickly becomes embedded in your dog’s mind. You don’t want training sessions that stretch out over weeks; this is a clear indication that the trainer is not very adept at the task of training animals.

There are several important things to consider when choosing a trainer for your new dog:

(1) The reputation of the trainer. First, ask a prospective trainer for references from owners of other dogs he or she has trained. Some veterinarians will keep a file on trainers they can recommend. You may also have friends who have used the services of a dog trainer. Talk to them about their experience with their trainer and observe whether their dog appears well-trained.

(2) Ask the trainer how long he or she has been training dogs and what breeds of dogs they have worked with. Someone who has only trained small dogs like a Shih Tzu or Miniature Schnauzer may not be able to handle large dogs like Great Danes or more aggressive dogs like German Shepherds.

(3) You’ll want to choose a trainer that has experience training dogs similar to yours as well as other breeds. If the trainer owns a dog or dogs, ask to have them brought to your home or go to the trainer’s home and carefully observe how those dogs behave and obey commands. If the trainer’s dogs are not well-behaved, jump on people and bark, even when commanded to stop, the trainer is obviously not the person you want training your dog.

(4) You should have a clear idea of what you want your dog’s training to accomplish. Is your goal to have a well-mannered dog who respects your home and doesn’t chew on your furniture or shoes? One who swiftly obeys your commands? Do you want a dog you can enter in local dog shows? Perhaps you want an outdoor dog who will be comfortable and secure in such a situation, and who will not be barking and growling at every human who passes by.

(5) The communication skills of the trainer are vitally important. Can the trainer communicate well with both your dog and you? Does the trainer answer your questions clearly and in terms you can understand?

(6) Ask the trainer if they use positive reinforcement for correcting bad behavior in a dog, or does he or she discipline and reprimand a dog who is not learning as quickly as the trainer would like?

(7) Will your dog be taught individually or in a class setting? If the training will take place in a class with other dogs, how much individual attention will be given to any dog who is having trouble learning or accepting the training?

It’s important to understand that the training methods trainers generally use will vary, and your dog may not respond to a particular method but will respond well to another. If during the training routines, the trainer discovers that your dog is not responding to a specific method, is the trainer willing to use other methods for training your dog?

There are different types of dog classes a dog can be enrolled in. There are puppy classes geared to pups between two and five months old that include housebreaking, chewing or gnawing on things, biting, digging holes, how to walk on a leash without pulling, how to ‘come’ and’ sit’ on command, and barking uncontrollably. This type of class will teach a puppy to respond to commands at all times, even if there are distractions from other dogs or people.

A second type of training is basic obedience class. These classes are for dogs older than five months and are geared to dogs who have never been trained properly or have attended puppy training classes but need reinforcement of the basic training commands like ‘heel’, ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘down’, and ‘come’.

One additional class a dog owner may want to enroll their dog in is an agility class where dogs are taught how to go over, under, and through various obstacles. It’s a good way to train your dog to play fetch, catch a Frisbee, or learn how to play other outdoor games for fun and exercise.

Choosing the right dog trainer requires the owner take the time to thoroughly check out any potential trainers. All dogs need to learn basic commands and good behavior. Your choice to have your dog trained by a competent, professional trainer, or in a training class with other dogs will become evident when your well-mannered dog is always invited to accompany you when visiting family and friends.

Dog obedience classes

Dog obedience classes allow pet owners to train their dogs to prevent or change bad behavior problems. Proper obedience training helps establish good communication between a dog and its owner.

Most dog obedience classes are geared towards training both puppies and older dogs to act appropriately in the right place at the right time.

Obedience classes have been proven to be the most beneficial when dogs are trained at an early age. Puppies as young as eight weeks are often trained in groups to help them learn socialization skills and friendliness.

Before registering your pet for obedience training, you need to know what to look for when choosing a dog obedience class:

Find out how large the class sizes are to make sure your dog will receive the proper amount of attention.

Both puppy classes and classes for older dogs should train your pet to obey commands, learn to stay when told, and demonstrate appropriate social behavior when around strangers.

Your dog will be coming in contact with many other dogs during the training, so it’s important to look for classes or schools that require each dog to have a record of their medical health. This will reduce the risk of exposing your dog to diseases that other dogs may carry.

You should ask to see the credentials of the dog trainers or obedience class instructors; or if that is not possible, ask for a list of satisfied clients willing to talk about their experiences. If the school or class refuses to provide that information, it’s a warning sign that you need to look further before deciding. The most reliable recommendations for the best dog obedience classes come from friends and other dog owners.

If the school or class offers boarding facilities for dogs in training, be sure to ask if they are able and willing to administer medications or provide special diets if needed.

Schedule a visit to the class or school before you commit to registering. Check the school’s list of activities to be sure there is a variety of activities designed to reinforce any behavioral issues your dog may have.

Some trainers will conduct dog obedience classes in your home. This can be beneficial if your dog needs to overcome bad behaviors, is too aggressive, or does not get along well with other dogs. If your pet is exhibiting very aggressive behavior towards other animals or humans, you should look for a personalized training course designed to deal with specific behavior problems.

Should you decide to train your dog on your own be sure to include the following goals:

Train your dog to walk while obeying commands.

Don’t let it tug at the leash.

Train it to meet and greet visitors without jumping on them.

Learn how to deal with and stop aggressive behavior.

Learn how to establish effective and specific communication between you and your dog.

It was long believed that puppies were too young to be trained. That belief has been replaced with solid evidence that puppies 10 weeks of age can be taught to obey certain commands. If your pet is still a puppy, now would be an ideal time to start dog obedience classes, whether at a school, a private class, or at home.

A well-behaved pet is a wonderful companion.