I highly recommend crate training your Beagle puppy. Dogs love to have a safe “den” to sleep in or go in during times of stress. A crate is a safe place to leave your puppy if you will be away from home or unable to watch them. The crate should be just big enough for your puppy to stand up, turn around, and lay down in.

 

If the crate is too big, the puppy will use one end as a bedroom and the other end as a bathroom, creating a mess and teaching the puppy that it is ok to potty in their crate. You don’t want that, it creates bad habits for life. As your puppy grows, increase his crate size by getting him a slightly bigger crate, or purchase a “Midwest Lifestages” crate that can grow with them (it has an adjustable divider panel).

 

When the puppy goes potty where you want, make sure to PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE!

(Good Dog, Good Potty Outside, Good Dog, What A Gooooood Dog! **Lots of petting too!**)

 

Where to start:

1. Consistency and positivity is the key to housebreaking your new Beagle Puppy. They will need patience, practice, and PRAISE!

2. Show your puppy the area where you want him to potty, if he goes potty there, PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE!!!

3. Take your puppy out to potty at the same place each time: Before you feed him, After he eats, After he drinks, After a nap, After playtime, and at least every 2 to 3 hours throughout the day and night at first. He is a BABY dog and he cannot "hold it" for very long. Again, be patient and consistent. Set an alarm to remind you to walk your puppy.

4. Never punish them for accidents, especially if you don't catch them in the act. Clean up any accidents with a pet odor remover (I recommend "Nature's Miracle") and take them outside to the correct potty location. If they potty in the designated area, PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE!!!

5. Do not leave your puppy outside of his crate without supervision. You may put him on his leash and attach his leash to your belt or wrist so that you can keep him in your sight at all times. If you will be away from home or unable to supervise your puppy, take him outside to potty and then put him in his crate.

6. Each week your puppy may be able to hold it for longer amounts of time. You can increase the amount of time between potty breaks by about 30 minutes each week. You should still walk him before & after meals, naps, playtime, etc.

​

    Example:

    8 weeks old - potty break every 2 hours

    9 weeks old - potty break every 2.5 hours

    10 weeks old - potty break every 3 hours

    11 weeks old - potty break every 3.5 hours

    12 weeks old - potty break every 4 hours

    13 weeks old - potty break every 4.5 hours

    14 weeks old - potty break every 5 hours

    15 weeks old - potty break every 5.5 hours

    16 weeks old - potty break every 6 hours

​

7. After your puppy can hold it in their crate overnight consistently, you can begin to housebreak them by giving them longer and longer periods of time loose in your house (outside of their crate) while you are supervising them.

8. It is possible to have your Beagle fully housebroken anytime between 6 months and 12 months of age. Some Beagles, especially intact (not spayed/neutered) dogs, may still "pee" to mark their territory in your home. In these cases you can consider spaying/neutering or using "doggy diapers/male dog wraps".

​

As your puppy gains age and experience, they will be able to hold it for longer periods of time and they will begin to understand where you want them to go potty.

 

An 8 week old puppy may only be able to hold it for 2-3 hours max, while an adult Beagle may be able to hold it overnight or 6-8 hours while in their crate.

​

With a new puppy, you will need to commit yourself to giving them the opportunity to go outside to potty every 2-3 hours (even at night, in the beginning).

​

Remember! Your new Beagle Puppy is only a BABY dog!

Much like a newborn human baby, they need you to care for them around the clock for the first few weeks.