The In’s and Out’s of Beagle Motivation

With all our sweet little Beagle puppies going on their new adventures to new families, I thought their owners, and Beagle owners everywhere for that matter, might appreciate some tips on Beagle training that we have found quite handy with our beagles on the homestead.

The first thing to know about Beagles when it comes to training is that they are food driven, and will do anything for a treat! So, training is rather simple if you keep this fact in mind.

1st: Teach your Beagle that there is never any such thing as free food.
Not only will doing this help keep them in shape, but if you devote about 5-10 minutes twice a day to giving your dog a meal, then it will remind them of all their basic commands, and it will build a stronger bond between Beagle and Master. All dogs love jobs, so having them do anything is good for them!

2nd: Work without ceasing on recall when young.
Get this fact cemented in their heads: when master calls, I come, and get a treat!
Beagles, as hounds, love to chase down scents, so the simple recall is a must for all Beagles!

Any time spent on this all important command will pay off.
Here is a video for recall training.

3rd: Obedience brings blessing, or to a Beagle, treats and praise!
Once your Beagle understands this principle, it will readily want to please and serve, or do anything else for it’s reward. Some day, it may even want to do it just for you! But, we are working with puppies here, and food is about all they think about right now… But with proper training, you can have a wonderful little Beagle, that is a welcome member of your house.

Training Methods:
Now, I know that there is a lot of controversy over the use of shock collars and choke chains, but they are only bad when misused (like anything else!). Proper use of the shock and choke collars will actually make life more enjoyable for the Beagle owner, and the Beagle itself- A happy master makes a happy Beagle.  Not only that, when a dog knows exactly what to do, and what is expected of them, it will lead a much simpler, and more enjoyable life.

1) The choke chain.
This is your most important tool to prevent leash pulling, and for correction in your training sessions. When training your puppy to heel, make sure he is wearing the choke collar, and a good leash. When he starts to pull simply, give him a quick “leash pop” by quickly pulling up on the leash which will tighten the collar and tell him “Hmm, maybe I don’t want to be running ahead… I am doing something wrong…” and pretty soon he’ll get a hang of pull-free walking.You can also use the chain for other simple corrections during training, that way you have complete control, and with practice, clear communication.
Things to not do with a choke:
Don’t keep it tight- if you are always pulling the chain, you may have it on backwards.  Ensure proper use, and then practice a little to make sure you are just giving a good “pop”.
Don’t pull – if you always are pulling, the dog won’t know what you are communicating and will probably (being a Beagle) just keep walking/pulling you along!
Here is an excellent video on the proper wearing of a choke chain.

2) The Shock Collar.
The biggest use for this collar is to work on your long range recall. If my Beagle is not coming I know that he could run faster than me if he wanted too, and when I do catch him, it will be much too late for discipline, because I’m either going to be too glad I caught him, or so mad at the puppy he won’t know what is wrong!
First of all, our shock collar has a range from 1-100m in shock, and it also has a beeper and vibration. Once your Beagle knows what is expected of him when you call, let him off leash (with his new collar on!) into the back yard. Watch him for a little bit, and once the pup is wandering about, call him -just the clear command “come ___ (and his name)”.  If you say it too many times, (and this goes for any command) they will learn that they only really need to obey on the 2nd, or 3rd, or maybe the 7th time… depending on how determined you sound…
If your puppy has decided that it’s scent is too interesting and that it doesn’t need to come to master, then give it a beep and say again “come”. This may be startling enough to convince the dog, but, if it is still deaf, immediately give it a low level shock again accompanied with the command (you want to make sure that it knows exactly what you’re trying to say, and which law it broke to get this displeasure). The Beagle will probably yarp and yodel that it was coming, and that you’re mean, and it still wants to sniff; but it should come (if you’ve laid your ground work in) and then you treat him and tell him he’s a good boy, and let him know you’re pleased.  Do this only a few time at first, and always give the preliminary beep so eventually you won’t even need a “shock” collar- just a little “reminder” collar. 🙂

Let me know how this training method works on your pup, and what you find out! Most of all, remember the 2 golden rules when training Beagles: that they are highly food motivated, and that they sometimes need a reminder that their master is stronger than the scent!

Hebrews 12:6, tells us, “For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth….”
We need the correction sometimes too, when we get off track, and forget about our Good Master.  But, Deuteronomy 28 says “And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.” Read the whole chapter, and you will see the great reward of hearkening to God’s “voice” and how He uses righteous discipline when we ignore Him. But when we come back, He will always forgive us, and bring us back into His blessing when we repent.
Enjoy Your Beagles!
~Ann