How to Train Your Beagle Dog to Come Back

This method involves engaging the Beagle in a game between two people. Each has a supply of tasty treats, and in turn, they call the dog to them and give him a reward. Pretty soon the dog is running to and fro between the people, and you can add the "Come" cue as the dog runs towards you. When you play this enough, the dog associates running towards a person shouting "Come" means a reward, which is an irresistible idea to a Beagle.

It's best not to start this game in a public place where the dog could run off. Instead, start in a confined backyard, so that if he does get distracted there's no harm done. Simply ignore him for a while, then make a noise or jump up and down to attract his attention and restart the game

You will need a friend to work with you. Both have treats in a handy pouch so that you can reward the Beagle as soon as he gets to you. Stand a short distance apart at first (you can separate more as the dog gets the hang of things). Let the dog into the yard.

Person A makes some interesting noises and shows the dog they have a treat and calls "Come". Most Beagles find the idea of food impossible to turn down, and so he comes trotting over. Give him a big fuss and reward him with the treat.

Now Person B makes some noise, shows the treat and says "Come". Hey presto, the pup goes trotting over for that oh-so-easy-to-earn treat. Remember the big fuss is important - you want the dog to feel special and clever - and give the reward.

Continue in this way with Person A calling "Come" and then Person B. As the dog learns to zip towards the person shouting "Come" you can start to increase the distance between you. This helps build a strong association between the word "Come " and returning to your side

Most dogs aren't wilfully disobedient, it's just that they haven't been adequately trained to understand what's required of them. Teaching a basic recall is not hard when you train regularly and make sure always to praise the dog when he does return...no matter how long it took.

When working in a public place or an unfenced space, it's best to keep the Beagle on a longline. This means you have him under control at all times, even if he doesn't want to co-operate. A longline is better than a flexi-lead as the latter teach the dog the bad habit of pulling.

Use the times the dog happens to move towards you as a training opportunity. For example, when on a slack longline the dog happens to turn in your direction, make an excited noise, say his name in a squeaky voice and then "Come". If he takes one or two steps towards you but stops, then you move away from him while slapping your thighs and generally making yourself interesting. When the dog does come to heel, make a big fuss and give him a treat.

As the dog starts to understand what "Come" means, then have him come back from a sitting position. Simply place your Beagle in a sit and have him stay. Then walk a short distance away and call him to you. When he responds, praise and reward him. If he ignores your request, gently tension the long line to give him the idea. However, the return should b a voluntary action so avoid the scenario of hauling him in by the line, unless absolutely necessary.

Continue his training in a variety of highly distractable environments. In order to focus his attention, you may need to use some super-tasty treats, something that is really going to motivate a hungry Beagle to come for that guaranteed reward.

If your Beagle failed to return one time and you got really cross, because he made you late for work, then the dog is likely to have bad memories of what happens when he comes back. This is a common reason for poor recall. As well as knowing how to train a dog to come back, it's also crucial to know what not to do, so that you don't become your own worst enemy to recall.

When you punish a dog for a delayed recall, why would he ever want to come back again? As far as he's concerned returning to your side is a bad thing, so why would he do it? Instead, even if you're really really mad, hide the fact. When he eventually comes back, be happy and excited, exactly as if he'd responded the first time.

Imagine your dog has a good recall, you do everything correctly, and yet of late his return has been getting slower and slower. Think carefully about your routine. It may be you always put the leash on and return straight home. Therefore the dog starts to link recall with the end of his fun. Instead, call him back slightly early (or allow more time) and take him a walk around the block before setting off home, so he doesn't directly link the leash to end of playtime.

When a dog doesn't come back, it's tempting to keep yelling his name, louder and louder. However, he's likely to fall 'deaf' to those shouts and view it as so much noise. Instead, make yourself interesting to the dog. You can do this by running away while flapping your arms in the air and calling his name, or hiding behind a tree and calling him, so that he suddenly realizes he can't see you and decides to track you down.

If you have a really recall resistant dog then it could be the treats just aren't tasty enough. Make them something super-special so that no matter how exciting the scent the Beagle has just picked up, he's guaranteed to be more interested in that cube of cheese or slice of sausage.