How to Potty Train a Beagle Puppy: 3 Simple & Effective Tips
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Getting a new puppy can be one of the most rewarding experiences while also being one of the most challenging. And potty training that p2 puppy can be its own Olympic sport during training. Housebreaking a Beagle puppy presents unique challenges and rewards. Beagles are known for their love of pleasing their owners. However, some methods can make housebreaking or potty training your new puppy even easier.
Housetraining any puppy isn’t overly complicated, and the fundamentals are the same no matter which breed you are training. Propper prepping, rules, and rewards are vital details regarding potty training a Beagle puppy. Beagles are notorious for being more challenging to potty train, but that doesn’t mean it is impossible.
While the Beagle’s impeccable sense of smell keeps attracting them to their previous crime scenes, these excellent dogs need extra help guiding them outdoors. Don’t let the Beagle’s notoriety and acute sense of smell frighten you, follow these potty-training tips to make housetraining your puppy a breeze.
Setting Your Beagle Up for Success
If you get your puppy from a breeder, they have probably been introduced to basic potty training. Most puppies have a basic idea of where to eat, drink, sleep, play, and go to the bathroom. Your puppy will have a slight head start if coming from a breeder. However, if you are raising the puppies yourself, don’t worry. You can still potty train your Beagle puppy following our tips and tricks.
You can start potty training your Beagle as soon as you bring it into its new home.
From the first day they are with you, you can use treats and other positive incentives to give them a head start on potty training. However, before bringing your Beagle home, you need to ensure you have a reliable enzyme cleaner, a black light, a crate, a leash, and treats. Setting your Beagle up for success requires more than potty training on day one.
You should be prepared to handle any accidents, such as cleaning puppy waste on the carpet. Having everything you need on hand can eliminate some of the potential struggles down the road.
When to Potty Train Your Beagle Puppy
You can potty train your Beagle puppy as soon as you bring them home. However, it is typically recommended to begin house training your Beagle when they are 12 to 16 weeks old. Some puppies may respond as early as 8 weeks old, but it is best to train them fully in your home environment.
Introducing a puppy to the new rules and procedures and being consistent will help during the potty-training process. The younger your puppy is when you bring them home to train, the easier it is for them to adapt.
How to Potty Train a Beagle Puppy
All puppies are different, and the time it takes to train your puppy can vary. It can take as little as two weeks if you are consistent. Consistency in following steps to train your puppy is as important as the training itself. Following the same routine every day is vital for success.
1. Choose a Spot for Your Puppy to Go to the Bathroom
An essential step in teaching your puppy where to go to the bathroom is creating a distinction between the living and bathroom spaces. Make sure you have a crate, food and water, bedding, and toys in a specific space for your puppy to stay in your home. This place should not be disturbed by other animals, as the scent may deter your puppy from using it as their home base.
Choose a designated spot outside for your puppy to use as their bathroom. You can choose a specific area in your garden or yard, a dog park, a place out on the sidewalk or driveway if you have no grass, or even rocks or sand.
Beagles require plenty of sniffing space when going to the bathroom, and if you live in an apartment, find the closest area possible that allows them to use their natural hunting instincts. If you use your own garden or yard, ensure it is fenced off.
Beagles are natural escape artists, so it is crucial to be prepared for jailbreak attempts. When you’re with the puppy outside your home, always keep them on a leash, just in case. Do not let your puppy out of your sight, even in your yard.
Beagles are nosey and will eat just about anything that piques their interest, and accidents can happen. Dirt, food, gardening supplies, or cigarette butts can capture their attention. You must monitor your puppy while it sniffs out and explores its new bathroom domain.
2. Establish a Routine and Cue Word
Setting a routine for you and your puppy is good practice. When your puppy is still very young, around 6 to 8 weeks old, it is a good idea to take them outside every hour for a potty break. While you do this, call out a specific word each time.
Your puppy will begin associating the word with going outside to use the restroom. Whichever term you use is up to you, but every time you take your puppy out and they go to the toilet, call out the word repeatedly until they do their business.
The best times to take your puppy outdoors for a potty break are after eating and playing or after a significant gap in toilet breaks. This routine becomes doubly important if you cannot take your puppy out every hour. In the early stages of potty training, being aware of your puppy and noticing if they look like they are about to use the restroom is essential.
If you notice this, bring your dog to their designated potty area, say your cue word, and reward them when they have finished. Maintaining a set cue word and reward system routine is vital for long-term success.
3. Reward and Praise
When training your puppy, positive reinforcement is everything, and house training is no different. Understanding your puppy’s motivation is crucial. Food is often a big motivator for dogs, especially Beagles, and you need to reward and praise your puppy as often as possible when they respond and obey commands.
Being consistent with praise, even if they don’t go in the exact spot outside you wanted them to, is a huge step in training. Beagles can be stubborn, and being consistent with your rewards when they do something you approve of helps them associate that specific action with praise and a treat.
If your Beagle happens to have an accident inside, do not punish them for it. Punishing your puppy will make them confused and anxious, and they won’t know why going to the bathroom causes you to react this way.
- A consistent routine leads to better results.
- Start by taking your puppy outside every hour.
- Choose a designated potty spot to help them understand where they can go to the bathroom.
- Choose a cue word to train your puppy to associate that word with bathroom time.
- Always reward your puppy for good behavior, do not punish it for bad behavior.
Final Thoughts
Potty training any puppy can be frustrating at times, and having a Beagle puppy with a sharp nose can make it all the more difficult. You may have to spend more time than you planned on potty training, but don’t be discouraged.
Putting in the effort and building a bond and routine with your puppy is well worth it. Be patient with yourself, especially with your puppy, as they learn the ropes of their new home. Don’t be discouraged by an accident; stay focused on giving praise and rewards, and you’ll find potty training isn’t so bad after all.
Featured Image Credit: AndrewFall, Shutterstock
