| Six Easy Things to Keep in Mind While Training Your Beagle. |
| Written by Bob Moore | ||||||||
| Sunday, 12 April 2009 | ||||||||
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Can beagles be difficult? Absolutely. But they're also incredibly loyal and loving. Couple that affection with a good training regimen, and you have a great dog to enjoy for years to come. Here are 6 ways you can assure your beagle (or any other dog for that matter) becomes the pride of the neighborhood:
Can beagles be difficult? Absolutely. But they're also incredibly loyal and loving. Couple that affection with a good training regimen, and you have a great dog to enjoy for years to come. Here are 6 ways you can assure your beagle (or any other dog for that matter) becomes the pride of the neighborhood: 1. Start early. From the time he or she is a puppy, training can begin. Put the dog on a feeding schedule to assure it eats at the same times each day. It's never too early to get your dog used to strict schedules. Also, if you begin to reward good behavior early, the greater the likelihood your dog will develop fewer bad habits. 2. Start with the basics. Even simple commands such as "come," "stay," and "sit" are vital. The obvious benefit here is that it teaches discipline. But it also let's your dog know that you're the leader. Beagles are pack animals and, believe me, they'll establish dominance if you let them. 3. Short and sweet. If you've ever owned a beagle, you know how easily they can be thrown off track because of their desire to follow smells. Keep your training sessions short, even 5 to 10 minutes twice a day can be very worthwhile. Make the sessions as entertaining as you can so he'll want to learn. 4. Physical punishment never works. Under no circumstances should you ever use force on your dog. It will have the opposite effect and, in fact, will either make your dog more aggressive, will make him more fearful of you, or both. Fear and respect are not the same thing. 5. Positive reinforcement works. Who doesn't like a treat? A beagle is a hound, and hounds are motivated by food. One word of caution, though. Don't let the dog see the treat before the command is given. To him, it may be a form of bribery and he'll only obey if he can see the treat. 6. Beagle-appropriate training methods work best. Use a beagle's natural tendencies to your advantage. These dogs are bred to hunt and track, obviously having an incredible sense of smell. If you can incorporate that into your training, you'll experience a higher success rate. Anything involving running, retrieving, or discovering buried objects will be much more fun for him. Beagles are headstrong, no doubt about it. But that doesn't mean training them has to be impossible. If, at the very minimum, you stick with these 6 guidelines, you'll have a well-trained dog that will bring you years of lasting enjoyment. About the Author: The author is the owner of his own prized beagle who also runs his own successful dog website and beagle blog. Stop by today to get free and invaluable information related to man's best friend. Views: 413
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