Do you want to crate train your beagle but you are not sure where to start? Read on for the essential crate training strategies.

There's nothing to worry about if you are not aware of how to crate train a Beagle. Most owners have to deal with dog anxiety at some point and usually learn to find space for their dog either in a crate or separate chamber. The idea is to reduce anxiety in their pets whenever they leave the house on an errand or for work purposes. Anxiety invariably leads to aggressive behavior including barking and biting. House training is another aspect bothering dog owners. Crate training effectively allows dogs to find a space they can call their own without having to encroach on your bed or costly sofa.

Why Beagles Value Their Crates

Most dogs love their crates, which is why you must not hesitate to learn how to crate train a Beagle. Safety is never an issue and must not bother you at any stage. The instinctive nature of a dog encourages it to find a safe hideout in the wild, often small enclosed spaces like burrows. It gives them a feeling of safety. A crate is a similar habitat for the dog indoors. If a Beagle is allowed to roam freely around the house, it often gets confused about space it can call its own. It is naturally agitated and grows anxious on having to establish territorial superiority over a much larger area.

Crate Training Techniques

Puppies are easier to train and so crate training must begin early. Learning how to crate train a Beagle at a much later date may prove to be a difficult task. The dog may resist small spaces and anxiety creeps in.

The Beagle needs time to get used to you and your family members. Crate training must therefore begin in a busy place like the family room. The puppy sees people around and is satisfied. You can always move the crate to your bedroom during the initial stages of house training. In time, the dog gets used to sleeping at a particular location within the crate.

It helps if you feed the dog within the crate. Also, try to make the confined space as comfortable as possible by keeping a rug, a few toys to play with, and the dog's own water container inside. Ensure the crate has just enough space for the dog to sleep in. Space big enough for the dog to walk in discourages it from moving outside. The idea must be to provide a safe habitat big enough to sleep in and comfortable enough to avoid anxiety.

While you learn how to crate train a Beagle, make sure the crate is not used to punish the dog. It must not make a fuss or whine when kept in the crate. If it does so, just ignore it for a few minutes until it stops whining. The dog understands it is a safe place and gets used to feeling protected within it. If you feel like petting the dog, soothingly invite it outside and offer a bag of goodies. Your action assures the dog you acknowledge the crate as its home.

The Beagle must be kept in the crate for short periods of time initially. It could be half an hour or so at the start after which time can be slowly increased to suit yours working schedule or if you have to go out for long periods of time.

A happy dog does not find the need to bark unnecessarily or show signs of aggression. You must consider this important aspect when learning how to crate train a Beagle. The puppy learns quickly. A well-trained Beagle then becomes easier to manage at home.