Beagle Dog Training: Why Beagles Are Special

Beagle owners will agree that that a beagle is the most rewarding and wonderful dog to own, but beagle dog training is not the easiest. Beagles are very smart dogs and many people assume from this that they will be easy to train. But the smartest dogs, like the smartest people, are not the most obedient.

Beagles can be stubborn and set in their ways. It is not difficult to make them understand what you want them to do, but having them actually go ahead and do it is a very different matter. However, with steady, consistent training you will be able to achieve your aims in the end.

There are 3 points that concern beagle owners in particular, more than owners of other dogs. These are:

1. How to make a beagle come when it is called.

If they are unleashed or manage to escape from the yard, beagles will chase after anything or nothing, often running into danger on the street. They are hunting dogs and they will follow a scent even if the animal that left it has been gone for hours.

To train her to come, first you need to teach your dog to come to you in the house. Then move to the yard. You can use a leash, increasing the length as she becomes more obedient. Finally, let her off the leash - but put her back on it if she does not come when called.

In this early stage of training, never leash her when she comes to your call - she will see that as punishment for coming to you!

When you are sure that she understands the command and will obey it, begin using it on a long leash outside of the yard too. But accept that you may never be able to let your beagle off the leash in unfenced areas.

2. How to stop a beagle chewing clothes, furnishings, children's toys ... whatever it is, they will try to eat it.

Something that is useful here is to give the beagle plenty of toys of her own, and try to keep other things out of reach. You will find that you need to keep a very tidy house with all your shoes, etc, hidden away.

Any time that you find the dog chewing something of yours, just offer her own toy instead. When she takes it, reward her. Remember it is natural to beagles to chew, so rewarding her for chewing the right things is the best way to train her.

3. What to do with a beagle who bites your hand.

The play of young beagles often includes some nipping or biting. If you have a puppy with a tendency to do this, you will want to train her out of it as soon as possible, especially if you have kids - and it's good if you do, because beagles are pack animals who are happiest in large, active human families.

You probably want her to transfer her biting to her toys. However, it is better not to give her a toy when she bites you, because she may see this as a reward for biting you. Just withdraw your hand and walk away. Show her that you will not play if she is going to do that.

At the same time, make sure that she has plenty of her own toys that she can bite on, to satisfy her chewing instincts.

Never try to train a dog to do anything by punishing her. All of her behavior seems natural to her - it is like punishing a child for playing. All that happens is they get scared of you. It is very important to understand that it is natural to beagles to do all of these things, for successful beagle dog training.

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Beagles Make Interesting Pets
By Michelle Adams

Finding the perfect pet for a family with small children can be a daunting task, with many small breeds that may be good with kids, the Beagle is about the most well rounded breed for children. Its even temper and eagerness to please their owners, makes the Beagle an ideal animal for indoor company.

Its use as a hunting dog dates back to the 18th century but its aggression with people it recognizes is rare. Strangers entering the home may be greeted by barking or jumping, making it a good watchdog, but typically a simple word from the owner will settle the animal down and quiet the barking. It may still want to sniff the stranger, but that is its way of forming recognition so they will be welcome on subsequent visits. This action should not be confused with aggression, as it will rarely attempt to harm a person.

Often confused with toy dogs, the breed ranges between 13 and 16-inches tall, standing well above the 12-inch standard for many breeds of toys. With a life span of about 14 years, Beagles have few inherited predisposition for illness or other medical problems although they do sometimes suffer from bone degeneration in the joints, steroid injections can usually help them deal adequately with the associated pain. One problem inherited by Beagles is hypothyroidism, giving them the penchant for excessive weight gain. They may also suffer from dwarfism, but this is a rare occurrence.

A beagle's diet is important, especially for the ones confined to a small space. Animals that are kept indoors and allowed outdoors only to use the bathroom have more of a chance of becoming overweight than those with room to run. They may prefer the opportunity to run wild in a large yard or field, possibly tracing back to their glory days as hunters. Beagles are equally happy in the home romping and playing with children or other small animals.

Their lack of aggression and small stature make them ideal playmates for other small animals and they seem to get along well with felines with similar personalities.

Their keen sense of smell as well as their stamina made them attractive as hunting dogs, especially during the days when people enjoyed the all-day hunts. They can fit into heavily wooded areas or in thick brush to bring out rabbits. Even though the faster animals can outrun the [http://www.beagledogguide.com/About_The_Beagle/index.php ]beagles, putting its nose close to the ground enabled it to track the animal into even the smallest hiding places.
The all day hunters appreciated the instincts of a well-trained beagle is they could ride leisurely behind the dog as it chased the scent of its quarry into even the thickest of undergrowth, emerging successfully with its prey.

Michelle Adams is someone who has researched many breeds of dogs, including the Beagle. Since breeding brings certain instincts and behaviors into play with different types of dogs understanding the history of your [http://www.beagledogguide.com/ ]Beagle will better equip you to work with your new pet. There is plenty of [http://www.beagledogguide.com/Beagle.php ]Beagle information available including the interesting history of your pet. Articles like this and interviews with experts in the field will help you to understand where your Beagle came from and why he acts the way he does.

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