How to Train a Beagle to Hunt Squirrels
Training a beagle to hunt doesn't mean teaching it to catch and kill game. A beagle's job is to chase down its quarry --- in this case squirrels --- trap it, usually up a tree, and keep it there until the beagle's owner --- you --- arrives to capture or kill the squirrel. Training a beagle to hunt squirrels is more challenging than training it to hunt, say, rabbits, mostly because it's harder to keep a squirrel enclosed than a rabbit, and you're not likely to have tame squirrels for a training aid as is commonly done with rabbits.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Show your beagle the trapped squirrel in its cage and let the puppy get a good sniff of the squirrel. Lavishly praise and encourage any interest the pup shows in the squirrel.
-
2
Tie the trapped squirrel's cage in a tree, with the opening of the cage pointing down. Position your beagle underneath the tree.
-
-
3
Open the squirrel's cage. Because the door is pointing down, he has no choice but to jump out right in front of your pup. At this point, he'll definitely run.
-
4
Encourage and praise your beagle as it chases the squirrel. If it loses the scent, don't scold it --- negative reinforcement won't train your puppy to do anything. Just start over again with another trapped squirrel.
-
5
Continue this drill until the beagle relaxes to the point that it bays as it chases the squirrel. Encourage this behavior consistently.
-
6
Train your beagle with this technique during nighttime, too. You can also expose the beagle to a variety of different treed environments as training progresses.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Consistency is the key to effective dog training. You can also partner your beagle with another, more experienced dog, if necessary, to raise its interest level and provide a good example.
