Ahhh, the puppy days! They’re cute, they’re cuddly – and they’re a mess! And this goes especially for beagles.
Beagles are of course known for their trademark whining and howling, as well as their mischievous nature. However, they are also sought after for their intelligence, loyalty and sweet behavior. One of the keys to keeping your beagle puppy out of trouble and making them feel secure is to begin crate training as soon as possible in their development.
Can Beagles Be Crate Trained?
The short answer is that yes, your beagle can be crate trained.
While it is commonly known that beagles want to stay close to their owners, there is no reason that your dog cannot be taught to happily stay in their crate for short periods of time.
This is common practice among puppy rearing, because dogs instinctively want to reside in a close space when sleeping. Many recent studies show that dogs often feel safer in these smaller den-like spaces, and there’s actually links to reduced rates of anxiety in dogs when they have a small, safe place to sleep.
If at first your beagle resists going into the crate, it certainly doesn’t mean that they can’t be taught. It’s fairly natural for dogs, especially young puppies, to express a bit of apprehension when adjusting to new places and transitions for sleep.
Beagles are also infamously stubborn, which is why they tend to have a harder time adjusting to new routines compared to other dog breeds. For this reason, you’ll want to practice a lot of patience in your mission to acclimate your new beagle family member to their crate.
However once your dog is used to it, the crate will come in very handy. Crate training is one of the most effective ways to house train your new dog, and it can be used for sleep, discipline, and even travel. In this article, I’ll break down how to select the right crate, and how to best acclimate your beagle to it.
Selecting a Crate For Your Beagle
One of the most important factors in choosing a dog crate for any breed of canine is size. You will need to purchase the crate based upon the size of a full-grown adult dog.
If your dog is a puppy, you can estimate his or her adult size by looking at average weights for the breed. In the case of beagles, they will usually reach their full-grown adult size by the time they are only seven to eight months of age.
The average size for a full grown male beagle is 22-24 pounds, while most female beagles top out at around 20-22 pounds.
You’ll want to give your dog sufficient room to stand, stretch, lay down and sit comfortably, but not so much room that it doesn’t feel like an enclosure.
It may seem counterintuitive, but a larger than necessary crate can actually create a certain amount of anxiety for a dog. For most average sized beagles, a crate that measures somewhere around 30x19x21 inches will be about right. If in doubt, you should consult the size and weight charts for your chosen brand of dog crate.
There are a few different types of crates to choose from – plastic crates (the type that you typically see used for transport), wire crates, and wooden crates.
Wire crates are the most practical for the majority of dog owners, as they fold up and are extremely easy to clean. I’d recommend that you choose a model with rounded edges and wires for safety.
Plastic crates, such as those used for transportation are generally not recommended for home use. This is because they are not as sturdy, more difficult to clean and don’t provide as much room as their wire counterparts. However you can buy larger plastic crates, and line them with your own padding to make cleaning a little bit easier (especially during the house training days).
Several companies now also create wooden crates with wire doors. These are often designed to fit well into home decor, and are very aesthetically pleasing but a bit on the pricier end. A word of caution though, these can be easily chewed on so I wouldn’t recommend one for a teething pup.
A few brands to check out in this size include AmazonBasics (for a budget version), Casual Home Wooden Dog “Home (great for dogs who are not heavy chewers), or any of Midwest’s crate models, which range from basic to high-end.
How to Crate Train Your Beagle
Introduce your beagle to the crate:
When crate training your beagle, you’ll first want to create a positive association with the crate. This is done so that your dog is able to view the crate as a comfortable and safe place to spend time.
To effectively do this, you should be sure to provide a crate cushion or soft blanked for them to lay on, as well as maybe something to chew on or certain toys that your dog already enjoys. Of course, if you plan on putting your beagle in the plate for more than an hour, you will also need to put food and water in a corner of the crate.
If your beagle is resisting the first introduction with the crate, you should try to put their favorite goodies inside to lure them in. Because you’ll want them to view the crate as safe and their own, when they first enter the crate, leave the door open so that they’re free to come and go as they please.
Feed your beagle meals inside of the crate:
Once your beagle has gotten a little more comfortable with the crate, next you’ll want to start feeding them meals inside it. If the beagle seems happily distracted by the food, you can start to close the gate door for a few minutes at a time. They might not even notice, and it’s a great way to calmly get them used to being in this enclosed space.
As your beagle adjusts to eating in the crate, start to close the door for longer periods. Always praise your beagle for good behavior, and give them lots of love when it is time to open the crate up to let them out.
Conditioning your beagle to sleep in the crate over night:
Puppies, just like human babies, are not particularly quiet sleepers. This adjustment may take some time for your new beagle to entirely spend the night sleeping in their crate without a sound.
This is easier if your beagle already has a positive association with the crate, and you might want to try encouraging them into it when you can tell they’re getting ready for a daytime nap. Even if you leave the gate open, they’ll still see this as a viable and protected place to sleep.
If your beagle whines through the night, and you don’t want them to form a habit of needing to sleep near you, try putting some of their favorite toys in the crate, or a piece of clothing with your scent to help their separation anxiety ease.
Crating your beagle when you leave the house:
This aspect tends to be a bit more challenging, so you’ll want to start slow if possible. You should try leaving your beagle in the crate for a short amount of time at first, and slowly increase the amount of time as you continue each day. Eventually you’ll want to get to the point where your beagle can handle crate life for a couple of hours (with ample food and water) perfectly. It may take a few tries, but this can make transporting your beagle, or even leaving the house for a few hours much easier.
Benefits of Crate Training Your Beagle
The benefits of crate training can be applied to both you and your beagle.
For you, crate training will allow you as a dog owner to enjoy peace of mind when leaving your home, knowing that your beagle wont soil or destroy anything. You’ll also be happy knowing that your beagle is comfortable, protected, and won’t be bothering your neighbors or developing any bad habits.
Additionally, you’ll be able to travel with your dog safely through airports, train stations, and even long car rides. This will make it a lot easier to be a dog owner on the go, and will give you the opportunity to show your beagle some cool new sights and environments!
The benefits also extend to your beagle. They’ll be able to enjoy a private and secure den of their own, and will have reduced rates of anxiety and stress knowing that they have this comfortable refuge. Additionally, they’ll be spared the lonely feelings of being in a giant house by themselves all of the time.
Lastly, crate training benefits beagles because it can be an integral part of house training. Crates allow dogs to learn to control their bowels and makes it much easier to take them to different places and peoples’ homes knowing that there won’t be any unwanted accidents happening.
You can learn more about the importance of crate training through this video from our friends at Dogumentary TV here:
Potential Issues With Crate Training Beagles
Beagles are naturally very vocal dogs, and they will not hesitate to whine, howl, or even growl if they are unhappy with their crate.
However, by following the tips above and making them comfortable, you’ll be able to eliminate most of these problems.
It’s important never to use the crate solely as a punishment tool, or you’ll quickly set yourself up for a puppy who whines every time they’re crated. If this doesn’t stop, make sure that you’ve taken care of all of their needs (is your beagle hungry? do they need to go outside? etc). Beyond these immediate things, it might just be that your beagle hasn’t fully grown accustomed to the crate yet.
Separation anxiety is very real in beagles, and can often be the direct cause of this whining or howling.
You can help ease separation anxiety with a heartbeat stuffed animal or a ticking alarm clock, which can act as a calming, rhythmic presence for your dog. Regular stuffed animals or toys can also help limit loneliness and keep your dog calm if they’re by themselves for hours at a time.
If you don’t mind, you should consider keeping your crate in the room where you sleep at the beginning, and slowly move it into another room of the house as your beagle gets more and more comfortable with the crate. Sleeping in your room should be a temporary thing if that isn’t your end goal with your dog.
Additionally, soothing music can also be used to help calm your dog’s anxiety. White noise from a fan or sound machine can also assist with this.
Final Thoughts
Beagles make for fantastic companions, valued for their intelligent, loving, and kind demeanors. However they can also be mischievous and notoriously stubborn.
Crate training is a great way to establish a solid training relationship between you and your dog for continued positive interaction throughout their lifetime. Beagles who are crate trained at an early age tend to be less anxious, are easier to transport, and are better sleepers, which can lead to significant health benefits.