Are Beagles hard to walk on a leash? Top Beagle leash training tips
Beagles are inquisitive creatures, which has led to them unfairly getting a reputation for being bad on the leash. But with consistent and fair training techniques, it is perfectly possible to enjoy a pleasant walk with your Beagle on the leash. To achieve this you need to understand how your Beagle’s mind works, so let’s find out more!
Here are some of the areas we’ll cover in this post.
Sometimes your walks with a Beagle will look a lot like this.
1) Are Beagles hard to walk on a leash?
Nothing frustrates me more than hearing that Beagles are impossible to walk on the leash. Yes, this highly intelligent breed of dog might present some challenges when it comes to time spent on the leash, but it is this brainpower that also makes them so rewarding to train!
To keep you and your Beagle safe when out and about, leash training is a vital part of their education. Having a dog that walks calmly on the leash means you can get from A to B without any problems, making every walk a pleasurable experience.
However, I have to admit that when it came to leash training Cocoa, it wasn't all that straightforward. All in all, it has taken me around six years to get Cocoa to walk well on the leash. But along the way I have gained a better insight into how a Beagle's brain functions, and learned some great techniques for leash training a Beagle.
Cocoa having a good old sniff and explore on a walk
2) Why is it so hard to walk a Beagle?
The thing that makes Beagles hard to walk is the same thing that made me fall in love with this breed - their intelligent and inquisitive nature! These scent hounds have a huge sense of curiosity, which, when combined with their high energy levels, can lead to some fun adventures!
Beagles want to investigate anything and everything of interest and will dart off in all directions to do this. They may pull forward, lunge off to the side, or constantly lag behind - Cocoa is a prime example of the latter. All she wants to do is sniff, and I've had occasions when moving her forward has been a struggle.
On the other hand, many Beagle owners have the opposite problem - their Beagles are constantly on the move, pulling forward or lunging sideways to seek out the next object of interest as soon as possible. Beagles can be very strong, and a Beagle that pulls on the leash may be difficult to keep under control.
But it doesn't have to be like this! The high intelligence levels of a Beagle also means they are easy to train and willing to learn, and with some creative thinking, we can get them walking calmly and happily on the leash.
3) How do you walk a Beagle on a leash?
It is important to remember that walking any dog on a leash is probably the least exciting form of exercise we could do. We are asking them to control all their instincts to explore, play and socialize, and instead, they are required to walk calmly by our side. I find it helps to think of the mental maturity of a Beagle as similar to a child; they've got boundless mental and physical energy to burn, and don't always have the self-restraint to keep themselves under control!
However, after six years of consistent and fair training, Cocoa and I now understand each other pretty well. I give her clear directions that she understands, and as a result, she moves quite well, and we cover over 2 miles on a leash each day (often more).
But to achieve this, I've had to make some compromises - after all, walking is supposed to be enjoyable for both of us! We have two types of walks: exercise walks and sniffing walks.
Sniffing is hugely important to Beagles. Not allowing her to sniff when she wants is like covering our eyes when we’re trying to see the view at the Grand Canyon. So, if Cocoa is in an exploratory mood, she gets plenty of time to sniff. If she's feeling more energetic and playful, we make it an exercise walk. When necessary, I can encourage Cocoa to speed things up a bit by utilizing reward-based training techniques.
Cocoa enjoying one of her favorite types of walk: a sniffing walk
4) Top tips for leash training a Beagle
Whether you've got a Beagle determined to sniff every object you pass or one that wants to get everywhere as fast as possible, the training techniques remain the same. Beagles respond best to positive reward-based training techniques, and the aim is to convince your Beagle that walking alongside you on the leash is the best possible thing they could be doing at that moment in time.
To do this, you need to help your Beagle engage their brain - these super-intelligent dogs will quickly get bored and start to seek out new adventures! Learn to anticipate their cues, and quickly divert their attention before any unwanted behavior occurs.
The best technique is to teach your Beagle a verbal signal that indicates that they should continue walking alongside you; when they comply, they get a reward.
You need to be one step ahead at all times (mentally, not physically) - when you see something ahead that normally causes your Beagle to stop, lunge, or pull, be ready to redirect their attention before this happens.
Be patient with, and adapt to your Beagle at all times. Some days, everything will click together beautifully, and the next, you might have to modify your plans because your plans and their plans for the day don’t align.
When you've managed a good session of calm and controlled walking on the leash, no matter how short, let your Beagle expend some mental and physical energy. This could be a run in the dog park with their canine pals, or hide-and-seek playtime in your yard. Then, when the leash goes back on for your next walk, your beloved pup will know that fun times lie ahead!
Training a Beagle to walk on the leash is a rewarding and fun experience, but also one that can test the skills of even the most experienced dog owner. But with some time and patience, you and your beautiful Beagle will soon be enjoying calm and relaxing walks together, without any unwanted drama!
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You can learn more about my Beagle Cocoa and me here.
