Guide To Crate Training A Beagle Puppy

Beagles are friendly, sociable, calm dogs that can make great family pets.

But like all puppies, Beagles are curious and excitable, so crating your pup can help to keep him out of mischief when you’re not around to watch him. Also, a crate is a useful tool you can use when potty training your new furry friend.

Read this guide to learn what’s involved in crate training a Beagle puppy.

Why Crate Train A Beagle Puppy

Beagles are lively, curious, playful dogs that can get into all kinds of mischief if allowed to have the run of your home.

If you have your Beagle puppy trained to spend time in his crate, you won’t have to worry that he could eat something poisonous, get stuck somewhere, or destroy valuable items around your home. Potty training is also much easier when you use a crate.

Beagles are highly social dogs that can be prone to separation anxiety if they’re left alone for long periods. A crate provides a safe, den-like space where your Beagle can chill out and relax, which can help to ease and even prevent the symptoms of separation anxiety and stress.

Is It Cruel To Crate Your Beagle Puppy?

Many dog owners worry that crating their puppy is cruel. After all, your puppy is part of your family.

It’s true to say that if positive reinforcement training methods are not used, a dog can feel frustrated and trapped in a crate. Also, you shouldn’t leave your puppy confined to his crate for very long periods of time.

However, when introduced correctly, confinement in a comfortable den-like environment provides a valuable feeling of security and safety for a dog. In fact, once your Beagle is crate trained, he will probably take refuge in his crate whenever he wants some peace and quiet in a busy household. 

What Are The Benefits Of Crate Training For A Beagle Puppy?

So, why should you crate train your Beagle puppy?

Yes! There are many benefits to crate training, as follows:

Safety and Security

Dogs are naturally denning animals that need their own personal space. A crate that’s situated in a quiet corner can provide your Beagle with a den-like environment where he can take refuge whenever he wants to.

Silent Nights

Your puppy is much more likely to settle down at night if he’s confined to his comfy crate, especially if you put the crate next to your bed.

Potty Training

Potty training is considerably easier and quicker if your puppy is confined to a crate.

Dogs will always try to avoid soiling their sleeping area, so using a crate for potty training is definitely the way to go.

Helps Prevent Separation Anxiety In Dogs

Beagles can be clingy dogs that get very stressed when left to wander around the home when they’re left alone. Confinement in a crate can provide a secure, safe environment where your puppy feels calmer and less anxious.

Safe Place When Unsupervised

Puppies should not be left unsupervised for long periods, especially when they’re teething. Keeping your puppy in his crate while you’re not around can help to prevent destructive behavior and other bad habits.

Safe Travel

Crating your dog is the safest and most comfy way for your dog to travel.

Are Beagle Puppies Difficult To Crate Train?

It’s not easy to crate train a Beagle puppy.

These dogs can be strong-willed and easily distracted, but the process of crate training your puppy can be made easier if you follow our tips.

When Should I Start Crate Training My Beagle Puppy?

Although it’s tempting to spend the first few days of your puppy’s time at home with you simply cuddling and playing with your new furry friend, you should begin to crate train him right away.

If you introduce your Beagle puppy to his crate from day one, that will make the process of crate training him much easier.

What Size Dog Crate for a Beagle?

You can buy different types of crate models, including:

• Wire crates
• Soft-sided crates
• Wooden crates
• Plastic crates
• Heavy-duty metal crates

However, for crate training a Beagle puppy, we recommend a high-quality wire Beagle crate.

Wire crates are reasonably priced, easy to clean, collapsible for easy portability and storage, and well-ventilated. So, what size of a crate do you need for your Beagle puppy.

Basically, a crate should provide sufficient space for your puppy to:

• Stand upright without his ears or head touching the roof of the crate
• Lie down flat out without his feet touching the sides of the crate
• Sit down without his ears or head touching the roof of the crate
• Turn around without bumping into the sides of the crate

Generally, a 25-inch to 30-inch crate is the perfect size crate for Beagles. 

You can buy a larger wire crate than that for your puppy, but you’ll need a crate with a divider panel to make potty training easier. Simply move the panel to allow more space for your pet as he grows.

Guide To Crate Training Beagle Puppies

In this part of our guide, we provide you with a handy step-by-step guide on how to crate train your new Beagle puppy.

1. Site The Crate

First of all, decide on the best crate position for your Beagle puppy’s den.

Ideally, the spot for your puppy’s crate should be:

• In a quiet spot
• Out of direct sunlight and ambient heat sources
• Away from drafts
• In a place where the family is around so that your puppy doesn’t feel isolated
• Away from power cables and sockets

Now, take a stroll around your home and move anything that’s within a puppy’s reach that could be harmful or destroyable, such as houseplants and shoes.

2. Get The Crate Ready

Once correctly sited, make the crate comfortable. Fit a non-slip crate liner, crate pad, or bed, and put a durable chew toy inside.

You also want to cut a small piece of the puppy’s mother’s blanket or fleece. The mother’s scent gives the puppy a feeling of security, which is crucial for him to settle in a strange place.

Reserve the rest of the blanket. If you use the whole blanket and the puppy pees on it, you’ll remove the mother’s scent by washing the blanket. Using a small piece of the blanket means it’s less likely to be peed on.

Put a crate bowl of water and some training treats nearby. Prop open the crate door to avoid frightening the puppy if he bumps into the crate.

 3. Introduce Your Puppy To The Crate

When you get home, take your puppy outside to go potty. Give the pup a treat once he’s relieved himself.

Now, you can introduce your Beagle puppy to the crate. Put the puppy on the floor next to the crate. Take a small piece of the pup’s mother’s blanket, and put it inside the crate. 

Allow the puppy to explore the area immediately around the crate. Sometimes, the Beagle’s curiosity takes over, and the puppy will go inside the crate to explore it. 

4. Make The Crate A Positive, Happy Environment

If your puppy or adult Beagle is going to love his crate, you need to create a positive, happy environment inside it. 

Try putting a couple of treats inside the crate. That’s usually a surefire way of enticing a Beagle puppy inside! Start by placing a treat near the crate door and another just inside. If your puppy doesn’t want to go into the crate, don’t force him. Chat happily to your pet, and try using a toy to entice your puppy inside the crate.

By using the pup’s mother’s blanket, treats, and a toy, you’re creating a happy, fun place for your furry friend to spend his time. 

5. Introduce Crate Games

You can make excellent crate training progress and create a positive association by playing crate games with your Beagle puppy.

Use small plush toys or a frozen treat-filled KONG toy that can help ease the discomfort of teething for very young puppies.

6. Crate Feed your Beagle Puppy

Beagles are highly food-oriented, and you can use that when crate training your puppy. In fact, you can enhance the whole crate training experience for your pet by feeding him inside the crate.

Let the puppy see you prepare his meal, and then put the bowl of food right inside the crate toward the middle. If your puppy is happily entering the crate, put the food bowl at the back of the crate.

7. Close the Crate Door 

Your Beagle should by now regard his crate as a comfortable space where he’s happy to spend his time. While your pet is happily eating his meal, close the door. 

The first time you do that, open the door as soon as your puppy has finished eating. You want to open the door before your puppy realizes that he’s shut in a confined space and begins whining or barking.

With each subsequent meal, you can leave the door closed for a bit longer. At this stage, you’re aiming to shut your puppy in the crate for around five minutes after eating, preferably without whining or whinging.

8. Move Away From The Crate

If crate training is progressing well, your Beagle puppy should now associate the crate with spending time in a safe space where he receives his meals, has ample treats to enjoy, and toys to play with.

Now, you can try stepping away from the crate, remaining where your puppy can see you. Wait a few minutes before repeating the step, increasing the length of time that the door is kept closed.

If your puppy starts whining, turn your back on them, and wait a couple of minutes until the complaining stops. After 10 seconds, if your puppy shows calm behavior, turn around and let him out of his crate again.

Of course, if your pup’s anxiety levels start to increase, reassure him and let him out of the crate.

9. Increase The Confinement Time

Slowly extend the length of time your puppy spends inside the crate until he can wait for an hour or so before needing to be let out for a potty break.

Note that young puppies between eight and ten weeks of age will probably need to go potty right after a meal. So, you can increase the time your puppy spends inside the crate by timing his meal times right after your pup’s last pee.

10. Toilet Breaks

For the first few days of crate training, watch your puppy closely for signs that he needs to relieve himself. Beagles typically sniff the ground and circle before nervously whining when they need to go. Pick up your puppy immediately, and take him to his designated potty spot. 

Generally, eight-week-old puppies need to go around every 30 to 60 minutes. So, you need to take your puppy outside or put him on a puppy pad as often as you can. As your puppy gets older, he will learn to control his bladder for longer periods of time. 

11. Bedtime

When you first get your puppy home, you can expect to be disturbed at night by your puppy, and you must be patient.

Crating your puppy overnight is crucial to keeping him safe and setting clear boundaries. It can help keep the crate in your bedroom so that your puppy feels safe and not isolated. Cover the sides and top of the crate with a crate cover to create a dark, safe space that encourages your furry friend to rest and sleep.

It can help to give your Beagle puppy a special treat that they only associate with bedtime. When your pup gets the treat, he knows it’s time to go to bed and sleep.

12. Clean Up Accidents Immediately

If your puppy has an accident, clean it up right away. Do not scold your puppy, and never shut him in his crate for punishment. The crate should be a positive environment, and accidents will happen, no matter how careful you are.

Use an enzyme cleaner to clean up accidents that happen around your home. That’s crucial, as the scent of urine lingers in carpets and rugs, effectively giving your puppy a cue to go in that spot again.

If your puppy relieves himself in his crate because you didn’t get there in time, wash the bedding immediately. Make sure you have plenty of spare blankets so that you’re not stuck with no clean bedding if your puppy does have an accident in his crate.

Ensure that you keep the crate clean and remove any traces of urine or poop so that your puppy doesn’t begin to assume it’s okay to relieve himself inside his crate.

13. Teach Your Puppy Verbal Cues

While you’re familiarizing your puppy with his crate and you’ve started potty training him, introduce verbal cues associated with the crate.

Choose something short and distinctive that’s easy for your pet to remember, such as “Crate” or “Bed.” Beagles are pretty intelligent dogs, so it shouldn’t take long before your puppy get the hang of what you want him to do when you give him your chosen verbal cue.

You’ll also need to pick a few words that are associated with positive and negative behaviors, such as “Good boy/girl” and “No!” So, when you ask your puppy to go into his crate, you entice him with a treat or toy and say “Bed” or “Crate.” When the puppy enters the crate, close the door, give him a tasty treat, and tell him that he’s a “Good boy.”

14. Up The Ante

Gradually up the ante by asking your puppy to remain confined in the crate for longer periods and when you’re not within his line of sight. 

Have a goal of one to two hours crate confinement time after a fortnight’s training, incorporating lots of playtime and exercise sessions between crating so that your puppy is tired and ready to snooze when you put him in his crate.

It’s essential for your puppy to understand that spending short periods in the crate during the daytime while you’re around is a perfectly normal part of their daily routine.

15. Dealing With Puppy Tantrums

In the early days of crate training, puppies throw tantrums, especially when they are first left in the crate with the door shut. That’s perfectly normal behavior and nothing to be unduly worried out. However, it’s crucial that you only let your puppy out when he is calm.

Your crate training program will fail if you let your puppy out of the crate every time he whines, scratches at the crate, or barks. Effectively, that teaches the puppy the exact opposite of what you want to achieve!

Instead, you want to teach your puppy that quiet, calm behavior is rewarded with praise and a tasty treat. So, when your furry friend starts whining, turn your back on him and patiently wait until he stops complaining.

16. You Must Be Consistent!

Successful crate training is dependent on consistency. 

If possible, we recommend that you take a week or two off from work so that you can devote your attention to helping your Beagle puppy adjust to his new life. If you can’t do that, you must make sure that someone is at home all the time for the first week that you get your new puppy home.

17. Don’t Give Up!

Even though you’re exhausted and frustrated, you don’t get to have a day off from crate training your Beagle puppy! 

Taking on a puppy is rather like having a newborn baby in your home. Your whole life will be turned upside down, to begin with, until Junior settles in and learns his new routine. The first couple of nights is extremely testing. Most puppies whine and whine all night, even right after you’ve got up and taken your fur baby out for a potty break.

Snuggles are undoubtedly gorgeous, and bonding with your new canine companion is extremely important, but that mustn’t happen at the expense of your training routine. But you mustn’t give in and take your puppy out of his crate and into your bed with you! Remember that Beagles can be stubborn dogs, but you have to win the stubbornness contest every time!

18. Lots Of Exercise Is Crucial

It’s essential for crate training success that you give your puppy plenty of exercise throughout the day and always before you settle him in his crate for the night.

A puppy that’s physically and mentally exhausted is far more likely to welcome the chance to curl up in a comfortable bed in a peaceful spot in his den and sleep than one that’s a bundle of energy.

Final Thoughts

Did you enjoy our guide to crate training a Beagle puppy? If you found the information and tips we provided helpful, please take a moment to share the article.

Crate training is an essential tool for housebreaking your puppy, preventing destructive behavior, and providing your pet with a safe, secure, comfortable place to call his own den. Be patient and consistent in your training practices, and always use lots of praise and positive reinforcement techniques to ensure success.

Did you use our tips to crate train your Beagle puppy? We’d love to hear how you did! Tell us your story now in the comments box below.