How to housebreak a beagle puppy? Do it yourself

It's a fact - beagle puppies are extremely adorable, cute and friendly. They'll melt your heart instantly with those warm and innocent eyes. Their cheery demeanor, outgoing personalities and cuddliness, will have you sold the first time you set your eyes on them.

But wait! Before you take this merry little hound home, have you done your puppy justice of knowing more about the breed? Are you merely judging a book by its cover, without knowing the consequences?

Well, behind that sweet innocence is a fiercely active puppy. Hyperactive, as some would say, and potentially destructive too. Some beagle puppies can even be noisy, especially when left alone for extended periods of time. It's true - beagle puppies CAN drive you up the wall.

Don't force your dog!

If you are serious about training your beagle, using the right methods is an absolute must. The reality is that, dogs think differently from humans, and we cannot assume that we can teach them like children. For instance, if you want to teach your dog to roll over, it wouldn't be right to roll your dog over physically and hope that he will get the message!

How to train your beagle

The right way to teach your dog to roll over is to first have your dog in a Down position in front of you, and position a treat right above his head. Slowly move the treat to the left (or right, if you want your dog to roll right), so that your dog will move his head in the direction of the treat. This way, your dog has now choice but to roll over. Once he has rolled to his side, make sure he's in the Down position again before rewarding him.

Beagle Training - Teach your beagle puppy to Roll Over!

Use hand signals too

Once your beagle learns this trick, you may want to get your dog to respond to hand signals too. Make a circular motion with the index finger whenever you say "Roll over!" Also, always remember to reward your beagle dog IMMEDIATELY after he or she does it right. Otherwise, he may not know that you are rewarding him for a trick done right.

Continuous encouragement

If your beagle does not get the trick after a few tries, keep his spirits up by commanding him to do a trick he already knows, and rewarding him for it. This way, he'll stay focus when he knows that his efforts will be rewarded.

Have patience

Don't give up if your beagle puppy does not get it immediately. It takes lots of time and patience to get one trick right.

Beagle puppies are pack animals. They tend to get lonely if left alone for too long. However, they are loyal to their masters, although they are less likely to be clingy (unlike toy dogs or lap dogs). Their self-absorbed nature means they don't want to be left out in any activity you are getting into.

It's always a good idea to get two beagle puppies, especially when you no one's at home most of the day. It'll be fun though when you see them at each other's necks to get your attention! At times, this can get really physical!