How to Train a Beagle Puppy to Roll Over
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Introduction
There is nothing cuter than a Beagle puppy, except maybe a Beagle puppy who can do cool tricks like rolling over. If you've mastered basic obedience with your puppy and are looking for more advanced tricks to further your bond, teaching your Beagle puppy to roll over is the perfect start. Beagles are naturally smart and curious. With a little practice, he'll master this trick and be ready for the next one.
Beagles are naturally curious and intelligent, sometimes too intelligent. Continuing to teach your dog new tricks will ensure he doesn't get bored and get himself into trouble, as Beagles are known to do. With a little work, you'll have a cool trick to show friends and family, and a stronger bond with your new best friend. Teaching your Beagle puppy to roll over will benefit everyone involved.
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Defining Tasks
Rolling over is an advanced move, so you want to make sure your puppy is already confident with 'sit' and 'down'. Exposing his belly will put him in a vulnerable position, so you want to make sure he trusts you completely. You gain his trust through time spent together and especially through training. If he seems intimidated by this trick, you can put it on the back-burner until he's more comfortable exposing his belly to you.
Remember to move slowly and break the move down into segments. This is a little more advanced than other tricks you've been working on. Take your time, have patience, and make sure you don't spend too much time at once on this trick. Beagle puppies are smart, but they can only handle about 15 minutes of training before they need a break. Keep your eye on the prize and eventually, he'll be rolling around on the floor as part of your new game.
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Getting Started
This trick doesn't require much equipment or room to move. It's perfect to practice in the morning after a walk or right before dinner. You will need to have a few supplies, so follow this list:
- A soft place to practice
- Tasty treats
- A treat pouch
- A clicker
Beagles have very distinct personalities, and there isn't one way to teach them new skills. Read the three methods below and choose the best one for you and your dog. With consistency and practice, your Beagle puppy will ace this new skill.
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The Helping Hand Method
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Choose a soft place
Pick a quiet spot to train that is well padded. It could be on a carpet or rug, or even an old yoga mat. You want to make sure rolling over isn't uncomfortable.
Ask for a 'lie down'
Ask your pup to lie down on the carpet.
Use your hand
Slide your hand underneath him so the palm of your hand is up and you can hold his elbows.
Show him a treat
With the other hand, show him a treat and start to move it toward his shoulder in a circular motion.
Roll him over
As he follows the treat with his head, roll him over with your hand. Move the treat in a circular motion as well. Give him the treat at the end.
Practice, practice, practice
Keep practicing until you feel your puppy initiating the 'roll over' as you move the treat.
Remove your hand
Take away your hand when you think he's ready and ask him to roll over. You might need to lure him in the right direction with the treat.
Introduce the command
Once he's rolling over consistently, begin to say "roll over" when you initiate the trick.
Reduce the treats
Now that your Beagle puppy can roll over when you ask, begin to reduce the number of times you treat him. Only treat him for really good rolls, or treat him every other time you ask. Eventually, you won't need the treats.
The Treat Lure Method
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Set him up for success
Set your Beagle up for success by choosing a soft area free of objects he might roll into.
Start on the floor
Ask your puppy to lie down and hold the command. Make sure you are at his level, either kneeling or sitting, for this movement.
Lure him to his side
Pick up a treat and slowly lure it from his nose to his shoulder until he's lying on his side. Give him the treat.
Roll on his back
Once he's comfortable moving to his side, move the treat to his other side and encourage him to roll on his back. Give him the treat.
Complete the roll
Keep the treat moving just out of reach until he rolls to the other side. Then give him lots of praise along with the treat.
One smooth movement
Try to smooth out the roll so he moves from one side to another in one motion. Now you can introduce the command "roll over."
Phase out treats
When he's rolling over smoothly every time you say "roll over," start to phase out treats. Treat him only for good ones or every few times, until he's rolling over on command.
The Clicker Method
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Load your clicker
Fill up your treat pouch with plenty of treats. Make sure you load your clicker by pressing the button and immediately giving your Beagle a treat. Do this about 20 times.
Ask for a 'lie down'
Start with your puppy in a 'down/stay'. Make sure he's paying close attention to you and ready to work.
Lie on his side
Lure him with a dog treat by pulling it from his nose and up to his shoulder. As soon as he's on his side, click the clicker and treat him. Give him another click and treat for staying on his side.
Practice the other side
Practice the same movement on the other side until he can move to either side easily.
Move to the back
Now use a treat to lure him past his side and onto his back. When he moves to his back, click and treat him. Practice both sides.
Go for the roll
Now go for the full roll. Use the treat to lure his head all the way to the other side. Click and treat him for the full roll and practice on the other side.
Introduce the command
Once your puppy is rolling over smoothly, start to say "roll over" as you are luring him with the treat. Continue to click and treat until he starts to roll over as soon as you say the command.
Reduce the treats
Once he knows the command and is rolling over when you ask him to, start to treat him less. Soon he'll know exactly what to do when you say "roll over."
By Katie Smith
Published: 02/06/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
