Creating a safe place for your Beagle is important for your dog. A dog crate is an important item on your shopping list, when you’re ready to bring home your puppy.
Having the right crate can effect their behaviour, and make will make your life easier!
Your home suddenly will become their new playground. So preparing your home is crucial if you want your puppy to feel comfortable.
A crate is an ideal solution to keep your puppy from destroying and messing up your home and make your life a lot easier. They are less likely to make the same mistake in their own bed.
The advantages of a crate are that your puppy may feel safer and calmer in a crate while you’re sleeping or at work and will help to reduce their anxiety.
For your puppy, selecting the right crate is the first step. The size of the crate is important.
Too small and your puppy will feel claustrophobic.
The size needs to be large enough so your puppy can stand up and turn around.
Your puppy is going to grow into an adult, so it’s OK to purchase a larger crate.
Will your Beagle like their crate?
Most dogs come to love their crate and Beagles are no different.
Their environment and a place to feel safe is important for your puppy to become well adjusted.
Without a crate or a safe place, your Beagle will become anxious. If not they will look to dominate a bigger area.
So it works well for you and your dog.
The best time to start Beagle crate training
It’s best to start as soon as possible, so your puppy can get into the habit.
Is it OK for your Beagle to sleep on your bed?
The simple answer is NO! It’s vital you don’t start any bad habits or it will be nearly impossible to move them later to the crate.
In the beginning, it would be best to place the crate in the living room, this way with people around they will feel less stressed.
Best to move the crate at night to your bedroom for the first month, they will feel less anxious knowing you are in the same room.
After this, it should be OK for you to keep the crate in one place.
What should I put inside the crate?
For their comfort provide your puppy with a blanket or mattress. Keep the crate clean and provide them with a toy and some water.
Training your Beagle
Don’t forget that if your Beagle gets upset with being in the crate.
DO NOT! remove them and comfort them, or they will use this as a way of getting out of the crate.
It’s wise to wait for several minutes when they are quiet then remove them, and then give them a cuddle.
They will then associate receiving attention when they stay in the crate.
You can increase the length your Beagles stays in the crate as they become more comfortable in their space.
A couple of hours is good to start with. Then you can extend the time as they get older until you can increase it to a full night or day.
As I mentioned earlier. It’s best to start them with a crate as soon as possible.
You both will benefit, the puppy will love to have their own space, and you can carry on with your routine.
4 Crate training steps for your Beagle
1. Familiarize your Beagle with the crate
Place the crate in a room where you spend most of your time. Add a blanket or mattress into the crate to make it comfortable.
Let your Beagle with a blanket or towel and leave the door open so your beagle can explore at their own pace.
2. Feed your Beagle in the crate
After they become familiar with the crate, begin feeding meals close by. Then move their food into the crate.
This will give them a positive association with the crate. If they are happy in the crate, close the door slowly while they are eating, and open as soon as he’s finished.
3. Increase the time they are in the crate
When your Beagle is happy and content in the crate, begin to keep them in their crate for short periods of time while you are at home.
Use treats when inside the crate to give him a sense of wellbeing.
4. When you’re not home, crate your Beagle
Now you and your dog are comfortable with using the crate for 30mins, you can try crating them when you leave your home.
Do this in a calm manner so as not to cause anxiety for the dog. Don’t forget to leave a few toys for him to play with.
Crate training do’s and don’ts
Never use the crate to place your dog as punishment or they begin to associate it with bad things.
It’s important your puppy feels it is a safe and comfortable place.
Let your pup know that the crate is a good place to be, offering treats and placing fun toys, will enforce this message that being in the crate is rewarding.
If your dog whines or barks and creates noise while in the crate ignore him.
It’s important that the dog realizes that bad behavior is not tolerated when in the crate.
Don’t keep your Beagle in the crate for long periods of time without breaks.
If you do it may feel like a punishment for the dog and will affect their wellbeing.
How to Beagle proof your home
As with any breed of dog, Beagles are going to want to explore their surroundings and this comes with its own dangers.
They are very excitable and inquisitive dogs.
If you are bringing home your Beagle for the first time it’s worth making your home safe from the outset.
You don’t want to be rushing down to the veterinarian 5 minutes after you bring your dog home.
There are a few things you can do to Beagle proof your home.
- If you have a yard install an escape-proof fence.
- If you have any loose or dangerous materials in and around the house, put them away securely.
- Clip or fasten any electrical or phone cables to the wall
- Use a baby gate to block a staircase.
- Secure kitchen cabinets with door guards.
- Keep the bathroom door locked and put down the toilet seat.
- Keep waste bins out of reach
- If you grow houseplants put them out of the way.
- Store dog treats in an airtight container.
- Secure all household and cleaning products.
- Keep your medicine cabinet out of reach.
If you have young children you’ll probably already made your home safe.
Although, it’s important to remember dogs move much quicker than babies.
So double-check to make sure you haven’t missed anything.
A GOOD TIP! is to get down on all fours to see what they can see. If there is anything that they can get at, it’s probably best to hide it away.
If you come home to find your home all messed, clothes and shoes strewn around furniture legs chewed up.
The reason is they just got bored and wanted to find something to do.
Beagles are natural hunting dogs, and more adventurous than most breeds.
They like to run, dig and jump, and without the right amount of affection and exercise, they can become destructive.
When they are in the yard make sure that is fenced securely, they are notorious for escaping and can dig, squeeze, and get under any loose fence or gates.
If you have a pool area, always keep your puppy supervised.
Although it can be almost impossible to keep your Beagle from getting into trouble, the more you make your home Beagle proof the less anxious you will feel.
Prevention is better than cure.
It’s a hard lesson to learn but proofing your home against your dog’s natural instincts will save you a lot of time and money.
All this precaution may sound a lot of work, but the dog is not at fault it’s just their instinct to do these things.
Once your house is secure, you won’t have to think about it again, and you can relax and enjoy your puppy, without fear.
Remember, crate training for your Beagle is an important tool to learn! Apart from making your life much easier. You will find that it will reduce your Beagles anxiety and barking.
