Knowing the necessary do’s and don’ts when beagling will save you a lot of time, energy, and resources, just as much as it will your canine. First of all, beagling simply means “hunting with beagles.”
Beagles have gained a reputation for hunting, and for a good reason. Beagles have an incredible sense of smell, with which they can sniff out even the shadow of a bunny. I’m kidding, but you know what I mean. These jolly canines track like a mutant.
Besides, beagles are quite strong. Their stamina level is higher and more solid than most dogs can offer. And if you manage them carefully enough, they’ll last the whole hunting trip.
Looking At The Most Effective Do’s And Don’ts When Beagling
When hunting with your beagle, you have an excellent tracker with you. Your beagle can sniff out just about anything. However, some hunters never catch a hare or rabbit when beagle hunting, despite that both are the primary prey of beagles. That only means they’re doing something wrongly.
Let’s look at the things you should do and not do for a fruitful beagling trip. Here we go.
Develop Trust
We never stop hearing the heartwarming tales of dogs remaining loyal to their owners for eternity, but this is purely due to the trust between the two. The trust between you and your beagle is the most important factor if you want to have a good time with him. Without this trust, you can achieve nothing with your beagle.
This trust is best built at your beagle’s pace. Avoid forcing yourself on the innocent pup. Just give him the freedom to roam around his environment and reach an understanding. All you should do is play with him, feed him, pet him, bathe him, walk with him, and any other usual bonding activity. Soon as your beagle rolls over and does not react harshly when you scratch his belly, you’re starting to secure his trust.
Ensure that this trust ripens before thrusting the beagle into any action.
Start When Appropriate
When you’re sure that the beagle has started trusting you, it is time to begin introducing hare and rabbit scents. Usually, this should be when he is about six months old.
Start walking him regularly to a sport where he can see a rabbit and catch its smell. This is best done in the dusk, as this is when rabbits venture out of their holes. Allow the beagle to explore the environment to become familiar with the scent. This is a quick, easy way to get your beagle sniffing around for games.
Provide The Exercise He Requires
As earlier mentioned, beagles are energetic dogs. Yours will therefore require more than a mere walk to the field every evening. Beagles must have the opportunity to run about 2–3 hours every day; else, they will become restless and even fall sick. Also, the right exercises will keep them fit, sharp and prevent unnecessary fat formation.
Be His Home Base
Being a home base is the idea of getting your beagle familiar with you. This will increase the trust between you two and make you hunt faster.
As you two start hunting, allow your beagle to keep an easy track of your position. Your dog wants to be certain of where you are at all times, so you have to help him know. You can help by standing still and talking to him (as if you two were discussing).
This will help him get familiar with your voice and know where you are always as long as you’re talking. This speeds up hunting, as your beagle will not need to look up or around for where you are and can thus focus more on tracking the game at hand.
He Needs The Experience
Your beagle needs experience. It can be counterproductive to be the one kicking piles and checking bushes when searching for games. Allow your beagle to know where he will find rabbits and hares from the beginning; else, he may be unwilling to do so when fully grown.
By giving him the chance to scatter piles and bushes by itself, your beagle becomes better at tracking small game. Always keep in mind that beagles are naturally engineered to hunt. Their chief focus is chasing and hunting rabbits and small games. All you need is patience.
Let Him Run With The Bigger Dogs
A pup can gain experience by running with a pack of older beagles. This is because he will understand how he should run and properly hunt rabbits by moving with those who already know how to. The more he moves with the older ones and sees how it’s done, the more skilled he becomes in hunting.
Don’t Complicate His Lessons
Your beagles only need fundamental training, known as “manners training.” Hunting is in his genes. Your beagle can walk in with no weapon yet make a killing. So, you don’t have to make things complicated: leave that to the US Armed Forces and their German Shepherds.
Just help him to understand what you mean by “no” and “down.” Mother Nature will handle the rest, but not how to detach bombs in Iraq. You and your beagle don’t need that. All he needs is his sense of smell for tracking games, and that is what you can never teach him.
Don’t Confuse The Poor Canine
Consistency is a keyword in your pets’ training, whether a Beagle, German Shepherd, or Pit-bull. Stick to a specific goal, skill, and training session. Avoid mixing things up for the young lad, as you’ll only succeed in confusing him.
By sticking to a particular aim, your dog becomes more used to the required skills and becomes more confident.
Concluding The Do’s And Don’ts When Beagling
Sticking to the above do’s and don’ts when beagling will ensure that you get optimum results. Anything contrary to the tips discussed will hardly help your beagle develop. Never forget that he is built to hunt: he is a bug. He tracks everything.