Potty training a beagle is often considered a daunting task. That said, successfully housebreaking your beagle is one of the most challenging yet gratifying training experiences you and your furry friend will share.
Given that a single gram of dog poop contains an estimated 23 million bacteria, your beagle pooping indoors can pose a significant health risk to everyone.
While the basics of house training a beagle are straightforward, paying attention to the details—like preparation, rules, and rewards—is crucial for success.
This blog will guide you through these critical steps, offering practical tips and insights to make the process smoother and more effective. With the right approach, you’ll find that house training your beagle can be less overwhelming and more rewarding than you ever imagined.
Age Makes a Difference When You’re Trying to Potty Train a Beagle
When you get a beagle puppy younger than 8 weeks old, they might be labeled as ‘paper trained’ by breeders, but this is often just by chance. Upon bringing your beagle home, it’s crucial to establish your own housebreaking guidelines.
Starting as early as 8 weeks, beagles can begin the potty training process. It’s essential to keep your young puppy away from areas frequented by other dogs or wildlife until their vaccinations are fully completed, typically by 12 to 14 weeks. Always check with your veterinarian for the exact timing.
Older beagles, including rescued ones, can also be house trained at any age. Many rescued beagles may need to learn new house rules or adjust to a different environment, but with patience, they can be successfully trained.
5 Essentials You Need in Place When You’re Potty Training Your Beagle
To housebreak your beagle effectively, you need to plan and prepare carefully. Here are five essential tips to ensure the process goes smoothly with minimal hiccups.
- A Designated Area
A common mistake is allowing your beagle to go ‘anywhere’ outside. True training requires a specific bathroom spot. Choose a location that’s easy to access in any weather and away from family-used areas like the barbecue or a child’s playset.
- A Method of Containment
A beagle puppy with free run of the house will likely make messes everywhere. Until your beagle is fully trained, contain the messes when you can’t closely supervise. Depending on your puppy’s age and your home’s layout, you can use:
- Gates: Use baby gates to block off areas or confine your beagle to one room, although messes may still be spread across that room.
- Indoor Pens: Portable canine pens are effective and can expand as your puppy grows. Inside the pen, include a bed, toys, food, water, and pee pads. This setup keeps your beagle safe and contained while encouraging bathroom habits on the pads.
- A Supervision Method
Close supervision is key to house training. Tether your beagle to you with a 6-foot leash to ensure they stay within sight. Use a harness instead of a collar to prevent neck injury, and choose a soft-handled leash for comfort. This method helps you catch your puppy before accidents happen indoors.
- Chosen Cue Words
Consistent cue words are crucial for quick learning. Decide on a specific phrase to indicate bathroom trips, such as “Get Busy,” “Go Bathroom,” or “Go Potty.” Ensure everyone in the household uses the same phrase to avoid confusion.
- Training Treat Rewards
Treats are a powerful motivator for beagles. Use a special treat reserved only for house training, given within 3 to 5 seconds of the desired action.
Choose small, moist treats free from preservatives, artificial flavors, corn, soy, wheat, or by-products. Keep a few treats in a plastic bag near the exit door for easy access when taking your beagle outside.
Step-by-Step: How to Potty Train Your Beagle
With all your preparations in place—designated potty area, containment method, close supervision plan, chosen cue words, and training treats—you’re ready to begin potty training your beagle.
Step 1: Take Your Beagle Outside at Key Times
Ensure your beagle goes outside during the following moments:
- Upon waking up – Both in the morning and after naps.
- After meals – Approximately 20 minutes after eating.
- Returning home – As soon as you arrive home if you were away.
- Before bedtime – Right before you and your pup turn in for the night.
- When showing signs – Anytime you notice your beagle showing signs of needing to go, such as squatting or lifting a leg or sniffing in circles.
- Regular intervals – Every few hours based on their age—2 hours for a 2-month-old, 3 hours for a 3-month-old, and so on.
- Before and after walks – Always visit the designated potty area before starting a walk. If your beagle goes again during the walk, that’s fine, but prioritize the designated spot first.
Step 2: Intervene Quickly When Accidents Happen Indoors
If you catch your beagle showing signs of needing to go indoors, act swiftly. Interrupt them with a loud clap or a firm “No,” and promptly lead or carry them outside to the designated area.
Step 3: Use Cue Words Consistently
Each time you take your beagle outside, use your chosen cue words in a positive tone. Consistency in language helps reinforce the training. For instance, say “Go potty” in a cheerful voice, even if you’re frustrated.
Step 4: Allow Your Beagle to Choose the Spot
Once in the designated area, let your beagle sniff around and select a spot. Dogs tend to respond better when they have some choice in the matter.
Step 5: Be Patient and Wait
Be prepared to wait up to 15 minutes for your beagle to relax their bladder or bowels. Dress appropriately for the weather and bring your phone or other distractions to help pass the time.
Step 6: Praise and Reward Immediately
As soon as your beagle finishes, give enthusiastic praise using the cue words and offer a training treat. For example, say “Good potty, good dog!” while giving the treat. Ensure the treat is given within 3 to 5 seconds of the action to reinforce the behavior effectively.
Step 7: Wait for Bowel Movements if Necessary
If your beagle urinates but might still need to have a bowel movement, remain in the area for another 10 minutes to give them a chance.
Step 8: Handle Accidents Properly
Despite your best efforts, accidents can happen. When they do, it’s crucial to clean the area thoroughly using an enzyme cleaner.
Regular soap and water won’t remove the enzymes in urine and feces that signal to your beagle that it’s an acceptable potty spot. An enzyme cleaner breaks down these enzymes and removes the scent entirely.
Why Beagles Can Be Hard to House Train
A beagle’s reputation for being difficult to house train is largely due to its exceptional sense of smell. This breed, known for its keen nose, is often referred to as a “nose on four legs.”
The Nose Knows
Caption: Dog breeds ranked by sense of smell; BorrowMyDoggy
Beagles are scent hounds, a category of dogs bred for their ability to track scents over long distances. This means they are not only highly intelligent and determined but also independent, often working far from their handlers.
Their long muzzles and open nostrils are designed to gather scents effectively, while their long ears help stir up smells from the ground, making them more detectable.
The Potty Training Challenge
Because of their powerful noses, beagles can pose a unique challenge in the potty training department.
Alongside Bloodhounds and Basset Hounds, beagles are among the top breeds with the most developed sense of smell, says BorrowMyDoggy.
The Vicious Cycle of Scent
The problem arises because beagles, with their acute sense of smell, can detect traces of previous accidents.
If not cleaned properly, these scents can lead them to repeatedly soil the same areas. This isn’t because they enjoy making the same mistakes, but rather because their noses guide them.
To a beagle, the lingering scent of pee or poop signals that it’s an appropriate potty area, much like how humans rely on bathroom signs in public places.
To combat this, it’s essential to use an enzyme-based cleaner every time you clean up after your beagle. These cleaners break down and eliminate odors, rather than just masking them, ensuring that your beagle doesn’t mistake any previously soiled area as their designated bathroom.
8 Essentials That Will Help During Your Beagle’s Potty Training
Successfully potty training your beagle requires careful planning, patience, and the right tools. Here are comprehensive tips to ensure a smooth and effective training process.
- Address Timing Issues
If your puppy tends to pee right after coming back inside, try this strategy: Wait about 15 minutes in the designated potty area. If your puppy doesn’t go, bring them inside but hold them on your lap.
They will likely hesitate to have an accident on you. After 5-10 minutes, take them outside again. This helps reinforce the habit of going outside.
For example, if your beagle frequently pees inside immediately after outdoor trips, bringing them back out after a short indoor period can help them understand that outside is the bathroom area.
- Consistent Praise and Rewards
Don’t let your enthusiasm for praising and rewarding your puppy diminish over time. Puppies need consistent motivation to be fully housebroken, and it’s beneficial to remind adult dogs that they’re doing well. Keep offering praise and rewards consistently to reinforce good behavior.
If you notice that your puppy responds positively to a specific type of treat, make sure to have a supply handy. When your beagle successfully goes outside, immediately reward them with that treat and praise, saying, “Good potty, good dog!”
- Understand Your New Dog’s Signals
If you’ve brought home an older beagle, don’t rely on their previous house training. You might not recognize their signals for needing to go outside. Some beagles whine or bark, some sniff near the door, and others may paw at you. Observing these signals closely will help you react quickly and avoid accidents.
Additionally, your new dog needs to learn the designated bathroom area in your home. Just letting them go anywhere outside is not effective.
- Learn from Other Dogs
If you have another dog, take advantage of their habits. Take your beagle out whenever the older dog needs to go and give the older dog treats and praise when they do their business. Your beagle will eventually mimic this behavior.
In a multi-dog household, if your older dog has a set potty routine, align the new puppy’s schedule with it. This way, the puppy learns by observation and repetition. For example, if your older dog goes out every morning at 7 AM, take the puppy out at the same time.
- Choose the Right Crate
A common mistake is buying a crate that’s too large. A crate should be snug enough to discourage your puppy from soiling their sleeping area but still allow them to stand, lie down, stretch out, and turn around. This setup helps the puppy retain their instinct not to soil their sleeping area.
When selecting a crate, consider your puppy’s current size and potential growth. For example, a beagle puppy may only need a small crate initially, but as they grow, you might need to upgrade. Using dividers can also help manage the space within a larger crate to keep it appropriately sized.
- Use Enclosures for Long Absences
If you need to leave your puppy alone for long periods, use a larger containment area like an x-pen. Include a water bowl, food bowl, sleeping area, and safe chew toys in one section, and a potty area with pee pads or a doggy litter box in another. This setup prevents your puppy from soiling their sleeping area and helps them learn to use a designated potty spot.
If you work long hours, set up an x-pen in a tiled area of your home. This allows your beagle to move around, play, eat, and relieve themselves in a controlled environment. Make sure the potty area mimics the outdoor surface they’ll eventually use, like a grass-like pad.
- Establish a Consistent Routine
Consistency is key to successful potty training. Establish a routine for taking your beagle outside. Take them out at key times such as right after meals, naps, and playtime. The more consistent you are with the routine, the quicker your beagle will learn.
Create a schedule where you take your beagle out first thing in the morning, 20 minutes after meals, and right before bedtime. Stick to this schedule to reinforce the habit
- Crate Training Benefits
Crate training can be beneficial for house training. A properly sized crate helps your puppy learn to hold their bladder and bowel movements until they are let outside. Ensure the crate is comfortable and seen as a safe space for your puppy.
For instance, if your beagle is reluctant to use the crate, make it inviting by adding a soft bed and their favourite toys. Gradually increase the time they spend in the crate to help them get accustomed to it.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool in potty training. Always reward your beagle immediately after they go outside. This reinforces the desired behavior and encourages them to repeat it.
For example, if your beagle successfully uses the designated potty area, immediately give them a treat and praise them enthusiastically. This creates a positive association with going potty outside.
What to Do if Your Beagle Has an Accident
Despite your best efforts, accidents can happen. When they do, clean them up thoroughly with an enzyme-based cleaner to prevent your beagle from being attracted back to the same spot. Avoid scolding your puppy, as this can create fear and confusion.
Patience and understanding are key to successful potty training.
Yelling at or punishing your beagle for accidents can be counterproductive and create fear. And if you keep it up, it may irreparably harm your relationship with your beagle. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement and consistent training.
Clean Up After a Pee or Potty Accident the Right Way
When a dog’s nose picks up traces of previous accidents, it signals to them that it’s a suitable potty area. Enzyme cleaners break down the organic material in urine and feces, effectively removing the scent.
Using an enzyme-based cleaner is essential for cleaning up accidents. Products like Nature’s Miracle break down and eliminate odors completely, preventing your beagle from being attracted back to the same spot.
If your beagle has an accident on the carpet, use an enzyme cleaner to thoroughly saturate the area. Follow the product’s instructions for optimal results. This not only cleans the spot but also prevents your puppy from returning to the same spot to relieve themselves.
Avoid using ammonia-based cleaning products. These cleaners smell like urine and can confuse your puppy, encouraging them to return to the spot. Instead, use enzyme-based cleaners to thoroughly eliminate odors and prevent repeat accidents.
Potty training your beagle will not be the work of a moment. But once you develop good habits in your beagle, the effort will pay off in the long term.
