Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

How Do I Train a Beagle? 7 Vet Approved Training Tips

beagle training outdoor

Beagles are a bit harder to train than other dog breeds. In the past, they were bred to independently track rabbits and other animals without needing to follow the commands of the hunter. While this is great for the hunter, it also means that Beagles still aren’t very good at listening to commands. They can be a bit stubborn, to say the least.

Therefore, it typically takes a bit more work to train these dogs than other breeds. However, with a bit of work, you can easily train your Beagle just like any other dog.

divider dog paws 3 oct 2024

How Hard Are Beagles to Train?

Beagles are typically considered one of the harder breeds to train. As scent dogs, they have a very powerful nose and were bred to follow it at all costs. Generally, this means that they are distractible when it comes to training, especially when smells are involved. Their nose will win every day of the week.

Because they were bred for hunting, these dogs rely on instinct more than anything else. Therefore, they can appear a bit stubborn, though this isn’t necessarily on purpose. Instead, these dogs simply weren’t bred to override their instincts on commands—quite the opposite.

beagle standing outdoor
Image Credit: Andrey_and_Lesya, Pixabay

These dogs also have moderately high energy levels. Therefore, they can get a bit excited and energetic during training, which can make training sessions a challenge. For this reason, we recommend exercising these dogs before you train them. It will help them concentrate and prevent distractions.

However, these dogs are also very food-driven so they will respond well to treats, which can help them overcome some of their distractibility. For this reason, we do recommend having treats on hand and using positive reinforcement training.

divider dog paws 3 oct 2024

How to Train a Beagle

You train a Beagle just like you train any other dog. However, some extra tips may make training your Beagle a little more doable. Here are some of the things we recommend keeping in mind when training your dog.

1. Follow a Schedule

Beagles do best when there is a consistent schedule, especially when they are house training. These dogs are smaller, active, and stubborn. All of these things make it harder to house-train them. You’ll need to take them outside every few hours during the early stages of the process. A schedule helps you and your puppy stay on track.

Be sure to incorporate regular training sessions, as well. A short, 10-minute session is better than a longer session one day a week. Remember, these dogs are very distractible, so long training sessions just don’t work.


2. Start Early

You should begin training your puppy as soon as you bring them home. These dogs take a bit longer to train than your average dog. Therefore, it is vital to start early. Plus, the sooner you start your scheduled training, the better your dog will adapt to the training. Get in a routine as soon as your dog is old enough.

Once your puppy has completed their vaccination schedule, you can take them to puppy classes, as well. Beagles are typically very friendly, so they need to worry less about socialization. However, like all dogs, it is still best to introduce them to a wide range of people, dogs, and experiences early so that they aren’t fearful later on.

Beagle puppy 2 months old
Image Credit: Tony Kan, Shutterstock

3. Consider Crate Training

Crate training isn’t cruel, as some misconceptions may lead you to believe. Instead, crate training is a bit like creating a safe, calm-down space for your dog. In the beginning, your main goal is to encourage your dog to like their crate. This is done through special toys and treats that are provided while the dog is in the crate. Never use the crate as a punishment, as you want your dog to feel comfortable and happy in the crate.

Crate training helps a lot with house training. Your dog will not want to use the bathroom inside their crate, as this is where they sleep. Therefore, crate training can help you prevent accidents inside, which encourages house training.


4. Use Positive Reinforcement Training

A lot of different training methods have been invented and tried over the years. However, positive reinforcement training is the only method with substantial scientific evidence behind it. Therefore, we recommend positive reinforcement training particularly. Because Beagles are extremely food-driven, this works well.

Beagles can be quite sensitive. Therefore, it is best to avoid punishment, which most dogs don’t understand, anyway.

feeding beagle dog
Image Credit: Olena Yakobchuk, Shutterstock

5. Don’t Forget to Exercise

We all know that dogs need exercise. However, it is easy to forget that exercise and training go hand-in-hand. An unexercised dog will be more reactive, destructive, and distractable. Therefore, without exercise, your Beagle is less likely to behave well and listen during training sessions. A tired dog is often a good dog.

Be sure you incorporate regular exercise into your routine. Always exercise your dog before you have a training session. Having an overly active dog will only lead to frustration for both parties.


6. Reward “Good Enough”

When you’re training your Beagle, be sure to reward any movement in the right direction. For instance, when you’re teaching your dog to “stay,” start by rewarding them for only a few seconds. After that, you can slowly extend the amount of time you ask them to stay before getting the reward. Dogs (and Beagles especially) need very small steps when training.

If you expect your dog to sit for even 15 seconds right off the bat, you’re going to be disappointed. Small steps are key to an effective dog training session.

beagle enjoying its bully stick
Image Credit: Iryna Imago, Shutterstock

7. Socialization

Getting your dog socialized is just as important as training them. Socialization ensures that your dog is used to a variety of people, animals, and places. Without early introduction, these things may scare your dog when they come across them later on, making them more reactive.

Therefore, we highly recommend that you take your puppy to as many different places as possible when they are young, introducing them to as many people and animals as possible. Puppy training classes work well in this regard. They provide a safe place for your dog to meet new animals and people, not to mention the hustle-and-bustle of a store.

However, classes alone usually aren’t enough to meet all your dog’s training needs. For that, you’ll also have to visit other places that they may come across when they get older.

divider dog paws 3 oct 2024

In Conclusion

Beagles may be harder to train than other dogs out there. However, that doesn’t mean that it is impossible to train them. Instead, these dogs just have a harder time overriding their instincts to follow commands, so most training takes a bit longer than average. They can also be very distractible, especially when their nose is involved.

However, with the right methods, you can train your Beagle to “sit,” “stay,” and “down.” You may even get some of their barking under control.

Still, these dogs will never be trained to the level that a well-trained German Shepherd is. It simply isn’t in their blood. They don’t do well when let off-leash, as they will follow their nose wherever they pick up a scent. However, with proper expectations and a lot of patience, your Beagle can still be a well-trained dog.

Related Reads:

Sources
 

Featured Image Credit: Madeeva_11, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Do Australian Shepherds Bark a Lot? How Much & How to Stop It

Thinking about adopting an Australian Shepherd? If so, you may have heard that they bark a lot. But is this true for all...

My Dog Chewed My Inhaler, Should I Worry? Our Vet Explains What to Do

Your dog managed to find your inhaler and made a chew toy out of it. What does that mean for your furry canine?...

4 Vet-Approved Homemade Remedies for Dog Stains & Odors for Pee, Poo & Puke

Dogs can cause many stains. While enzymatic, commercial solutions may work best for deep-set stains, you can often get away with a homemade...

EngAm Bulldog Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care & More

If you are a huge fan of English Bulldogs but are aware of the health problems associated with the breed, you might be...

More related

Estonian Hound: Dog Breed Info, Pictures, Traits, & Care

The Estonian Hound is a medium hound that originated in Estonia, as you might guess from their name. They’re the only dog breed...

How to Stop a Dog From Stealing Food: 6 Vet-Approved Tips

Our canine companions can be sneaky at times, especially when it comes to food. Most dogs love food and love to eat, so...

How to Prepare Dogs for Back-to-School Season: 5 Vet Approved Tips & FAQ

Your dog probably gets quite used to it when the kids are home for the summer. Full-time playmates? They would never want for...

Beagle Pain Syndrome: Our Vet Explains Steroid-Responsive Meningitis-Arteritis

Steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA) was initially referred to as Beagle pain syndrome. It was first identified in young laboratory Beagles that demonstrated clinical signs...

Keep reading

TBHQ in Dog Food: Vet-Approved Feeding & Safety Facts

TBHQ, or tertiary butylhydroquinone, is likely an ingredient that you aren’t familiar with. This chemical additive is commonly used in pet foods to extend shelf life and keep the food from going rancid. You might be surprised to know that...

person pouring dog food to a bowl

How to Cook Eggs for Dogs: 3 Vet-Approved Recipes & Facts

Eggs are a nutritious (and tasty) part of most people’s breakfasts, so you might wonder if they can be a part of your dog’s diet too. The answer is yes, they can! However, you need to purchase pasteurized in-shell eggs...

hard boiled eggs

Can Dogs Eat Onions? Vet-Verified Toxicity & Safety Tips

Dogs are often indiscriminate about what they eat, so we have to be careful with what types of snacks and table scraps we feed them, as they may contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs. One common food to avoid...

Can Dogs Eat Onions

10 Best Wet Dog Foods in Canada in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Choosing the best dog food for your best friend is an essential part of being a dog owner. While kibble has its benefits, notwithstanding the lower price, canned dog food is high in fibre and protein, low in fat, and...

shih tzu dog getting wet food from owner at kitchen

8 Best Dehydrated Dog Foods in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Dehydrated dog food continues to grow in popularity as more dog owners are becoming aware of its benefits. This type of food is prepared by slowly removing moisture from whole foods at low heat. This process helps food retain more...

dachshund dog eating from elevated bowl

How to Cook Salmon for Dogs: Vet-Approved Recipes & What to Know

Most pet parents know salmon is a nutritious treat for their canine friends. However, some owners don’t know the best way to cook salmon for dogs. Salmon should never be offered raw to a dog since salmon poisoning can occur...

raw salmon meat on wooden board

Can Dogs Eat Baking Soda? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

Baking soda is a common pantry item, and it can be easy for dogs to get a taste of it if they happen to break in and snoop around your kitchen cabinets. So, is baking soda safe for dogs? Baking...

Can Dogs Eat Baking Soda

Can Dogs Eat Beef Liver? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

One of our biggest goals in life is to provide our families with what they need to be happy and healthy. This includes the right foods. For many homes, our pets are part of that family. When it comes to...

Can Dogs Eat_Beef Liver