You love your Beagle. He’s intelligent, determined, even-tempered and always happy to see you. Unlike the rest of your family, he doesn’t argue back and he makes less mess! He’s a fast learner, which has seen him respond well to training so far. But while you love playing around with him and having him as a family dog, you also want to put him to another use. You want to teach him to hunt rabbits. Your land is full of them and you’re finally ready to admit something needs be done. Plus, after all, Beagles are hounds, with a fantastic sense of smell and naturally suited to hunting rabbits.
Training him to hunt will do more than solve your rabbit crisis. It’s an effective way to channel his energy into something productive. Not to mention it’s fantastic exercise and will strengthen the bond between the two of you.
Training any dog to hunt rabbits comes with its challenges. Fortunately, Beagles have all the characteristics you need for the job. They are quick learners, agile and determined. All you need to do is give them the right training. That will entail getting him familiar with his prey. You will then need to find an effective motivator. Smelly food is often the way to get them on board. Obedience training will also be required to ensure he is disciplined and follows your instructions.
If he’s a puppy he should be receptive and keen to please. You could see results in just a few weeks. If he’s older and not quite the enthusiastic pupil he once was, then be prepared to invest several months into training. Succeed and you will have an effective weapon to add to your rabbit hunting arsenal.
Before you start training, you will need to get your hands on a few things. Some rabbit decoys and scent spray will be needed. You will also need a generous supply of treats or his favorite food broken into small pieces.
Find 15 minutes each day to practice and try to train when there aren’t too many distractions around, such as noisy kids charging around the house.
The only other things you need are patience and an optimistic attitude, then work can begin!