Recently an adorable beagle puppy joined your family, and you want to be a perfect parent for your little cuddle-monster, don’t you?. If this is the first time you have got a puppy, then things can get jumbled. The first hour, the first day, the first week, the first month, the first year is the most crucial part of a beagle’s foundation.
And that’s why I have made this detailed but easy-to-follow guide of caring and raising a Beagle Puppy. In this step-by-step guide, I have covered everything you need to follow for raising a healthy, obedient, and loving Beagle.
Getting ready for a Beagle Puppy
There are a few things you should do before bringing a beagle puppy home. This will keep you prepare and help you take better care of the puppy when he arrives.
Well, if the cuddle-monster has already become a part of your family, then see to it that you do the following things as soon as possible.
Puppy Proof your House
Beagles love to eat. They will swallow about anything they can fit in their mouth. And if they cannot swallow it, they will try to break it and then swallow it. This can put your puppy in some serious trouble. That’s why it is highly recommended to puppy-proof the house, or at least a room, before bringing the puppy home.
You can puppy-proof your house by taking away everything from the floor that can fit in your pooch’s mouth. The best way to do it is by going down on your hands and knees and seeing things from puppy’s view. Here are a few things you should specifically look for:
Plants: If your puppy sees a plant, he will most definitely start eating its leaves and flowers. There are 100s of plants with poisonous leaves and flowers which can seriously harm or even kill a dog. The tomato plant is one of them. So if you have plants indoor, keep them on a table or someplace high. If you have a backyard with plants, then it’s advised to remove plants that are poisonous to dogs. Also, never leave your puppy unattained in the yard.
Trash: No matter what age is your beagle, always keep the trash away from him. There are just too many harmful things in it, so don’t take any chances.
Chemical Products: Products like cleaning liquid or detergent should be kept in a safe place. Usually, these products are kept in lower cabinets, if that’s the case, then consider putting child-safety latches on them.
Medicines: Puppies can mischievously grab things from coffee tables and bedside tables, where we usually keep all our medications. Keep your vitamin tablets, pills, and any other medications away from your pooch’s reach.
Electrical Wires: For some reason, puppies love to chew on wires. This can electrocute them and cause severe burns. Tie up all your wirings at a higher level. You can consider coving your cables and cords with PVC pipes or cord concealers.
Tobacco based products: Tobacco based products like cigarettes, cigars, or nicotine gums can be fatal to your dogs, so make sure to keep them away.
You can refer to this article to know more about why do beagles eat everything they see and how you can stop them.
You can watch this video of How to Beagle Proof your house:
Get necessary Puppy Supplies
It’s better to be prepared with all the required supplies before getting the puppy home. I still remember I was so unprepared when I got Yoda (our elder beagle) home. I had to run to the pet store so many times during those days. So let’s not make such a mistake and get all the necessary supplies at one go.
Puppy Food: Something you don’t want to miss. If you decide to switch the food brand, you will need to buy two types of puppy food. The first one will be the food that the breeder has been feeding him. Get the same brand and variety of food. The second one that you want to give him. We will discuss more on this in the ‘Puppy Feeding’ Section below.
Dog Bed: It is highly recommended to get a good quality dog bed for your beagle. Beagles are more prone to developing Hip Dysplasia. A comfortable dog bed might help to prevent it. Here are my three recommendations for your beagle’s bed. One more thing, don’t make your puppy sleep with you on your bed; it’s a little dangerous for them. The puppy could roll over and fell off the bed, or you could unknowingly hurt your little pup in your sleep.
A couple of toys: Coming to a different place will be scary for the pup. A few toys will distract his mind. Here are some best toys for beagle puppies.
Honey: The stress of a new home can cause hypoglycemia in which the pup’s blood sugar drops critically. As soon as you notice any signs of hypoglycemia, dip your finger in honey and let your pup lick it off. And then call the veterinarian as quickly as possible. It is advised to talk about this with your veterinarian first and do as he suggests.
These were the few basic things that you should get before getting the beagle puppy home. Here is a list of 13 must-have accessories that your beagle puppy will need down the road.
Bringing the Beagle Puppy home
Finally, the day arrives when you bring the cutest little monster home. Your dog will be seeing his new house for the first time, so try to make a pleasant first impression.
Introducing the Pup to your Family
If you have a family, ask them to remain calm when you bring the puppy home. A sudden burst of loud voices and hugs can scare the puppy. Let the puppy get out of the basket and allow him just to observe the change. Ask your family members to sit on the floor at the puppy’s level and greet him calmly. Give your puppy some time to smell them.
It is always better to give your puppy a few weeks to get familiar with all your family members before you introduce your friends and extended family.
Introducing the Pup to your Home
Give your puppy a tour of your house. Show him the spot where he can find food and water. Show him the room where he will be living. Do this every day for a few weeks, walk him through each room, except the kitchen, in this way he will start feeling more secure and confident around the house.
Head to the Vet
The next thing you should do is take your beagle puppy to a qualified veterinarian for a checkup. This will help you ensure that your beagle is healthy.
Things to look for in a Vet
Never select a veterinarian just because he is close to your house. You want a vet on which you can rely on for professional care and advice.
Step 1: Ask the dog owners for a recommendation. Call your friends, family, or neighbors who have dogs and ask if they can suggest a good vet.
Step 2: Do digital research. Make a list of vets in your area. Check out their Google and Yelp reviews, see what other people are saying about each one of them.
Step 3: Give a call to each one of them and ask for their clinic’s working hours, night cares, and cost per session. See how professional yet friendly they are. All these will give you more points to compare them and select the best one.
Step 4: Shortlist a few and visit them. Schedule an appointment and have a little chat with the vet. Don’t be shy to ask about their qualifications and experience. Ask them if they have any previous experience with beagles.
Step 5: Select the one who is professional, friendly, experienced, and close to your home.
The First Vet Visit of your puppy
During the first appointment, the vet will check your beagle for any signs of health issues. In the first session, the vet will most likely give you a few pointers for puppy care. If not, then here are a few things you should consider asking your vet:
- Ask him to recommend healthy food for your pup. Also, ask him how much and how many times you should feed your pooch.
- Take the information about your pup’s vaccination plan.
- Discuss the deworming schedule.
- Ask them to give you information about some common signs of illness.
First 24 hours with the Beagle Puppy
The first 24 hours with a beagle puppy can be tough, especially if it’s your first puppy. On the one hand, you are not able to stop adoring your pooch, and on the other, you are super-conscious whether or not you are doing things right.
The first day is stressful for the puppy too. He is in an entirely new place without any of his siblings and friends around. This can be scary and stressful for your little puppy. You and your family will need to provide complete attention to your pup at this time. Talk with him, show him around your house, give some toys to play, be with him all the time.
There’s a reason I call them cuddle-monsters. Beagles love to cuddle everyone. And when your beagle puppy gets tired, he will prefer to lie on your lap and doze off for a while. What you can do is, sit on the floor and try to fold your laps, as Asians do. In this way, your puppy can fit comfortably on your lap and sleep for a while. Well, you can, of course, make him sleep on his bed, but this will build trust and make your pup feel more secure around you.
NOTE: If possible, take your pooch to the vet on the first day for a checkup.
The day time
Once you are done showing your house to your beagle puppy, give him some food and water. He will be tired of all the traveling, meeting your family, and walking around your house, so allow him to rest for a while. It’s your puppy’s first day, so don’t force things, let him do anything he wants. After he wakes up, offer him some water. If he pees or poops on his bed, it’s totally fine. Keep some tissues around to wipe it. Make sure you or one of your family is around him all the time. Do not leave him alone, he will stress out, and it can affect his health.
After his playtime when he is tired, wipe him up with a wet tissue or a clean cloth. Do not use to much water, or he will catch a cold.
Beagles sleep a lot. A puppy beagle can sleep for around 18 to 19 hours a day. Sleep is necessary for a puppy’s growth, so make sure you don’t keep him awake for too long.
The First Night
Puppies don’t sleep for 18 hours in one go. They complete their sleep in installments. Your puppy will sleep for a while, wake up, do some activities here and there, lie down for a while and then sleep again.
Your puppy is most definitely going to wake up in the middle of the night, see that there’s no one around, and start stressing out. He will start whining, and you will have to wake up and calm him down, play with him for a while until he goes back to sleep again. And then he will wake up again after an hour or two. You don’t have an option, and you need to wake up and make him feel secure.
Few things you should do for surviving the first night:
- Put the bedding on the floor and sleep right next to your pup. This is the most effective and recommended way to make your puppy feel safe and secure during his first night. He will still whine, and you will still have to wake up and play with him.
- If, for some reason, you can’t sleep on the floor, then keep your used t-shirt on the floor. The scent of yours will make him feel secure to some extent.
- If you are a deep sleeper, then ask one of your family members to sleep in your room. It is essential to calm him down if he wakes up in the middle of the night and starts whining.
- The best thing you can do is not sleep at all on the first night. Call a sick-leave from work and don’t sleep on that night. This could be one of the nights when you can binge-watch a show that you always wanted to see and also take care of your pup.
Your beagle puppy might whine for more than one night until he starts trusting you and the surrounding. Although if it continues for more than a week, then start reducing the time you play with him at night. For more information, go through this article on how to teach your beagle puppy to sleep through the night.
First Week with a beagle puppy
I would suggest you take a couple of days off from your work and help your pooch settle in with your family. Everything is still new to your puppy, and in the first week, you need to make sure your beagle puppy gets undived attention and utmost love from you and your family members.
Now is the right time to introduce some ground rules to your puppy, like where he sleeps, where he can find his food and water, where he is supposed to spoil. Well, of course, your puppy won’t learn everything in just one week, so be patient.
It’s also an excellent time to start keeping your pup on a routine. Start developing a schedule for his naps, food, potty breaks, playtime, etc. We will discuss more on this in the schedule section below.
Feeding your Beagle Puppy
Following a high-quality nutritional diet in puppyhood will lead to healthy adulthood. Things you feed your puppy will affect his growth and development.
Being a first-time puppy owner, you will have tons of doubts regarding what to feed, how much to feed, and when to feed. Don’t worry, we will go through everything, and I assure you, at the end of this section you will be crystal clear about puppy feeding.
What to Feed your Beagle puppy
You want a puppy food that contains all the essential vitamins and mineral supplements vital for a puppy’s growth. Puppy food contains more nutrients than dog food, so make sure you get the age specifics correct while selecting the food.
There are way too many commercial brands of dog food, and all of them claim to be the best. It is highly advised to ask your vet to recommend high-quality puppy food for your beagle.
Types of Puppy Food:
There are three popular choices of puppy food:
- Canned Food: There are various types of canned food available in the market. The most popular and widely used is the all-meat canned food. My vet suggested not to rely entirely on all-meat as the pup needs a balanced diet. So I feed my beagles all-meat canned food once every week. Make sure to select the puppy’s special canned food.
- Semi-moist or wet food: This type of food is available in one-time-serve packets. If your puppy is less than six weeks old, then you can mix this with the dry food. This makes it easy for the puppy to digest his meals. Here’s a list of best wet dog food for beagles.
- Kibble or Dry food: The most popular and economical option for a dog. There are various brands with tons of options. Kibbles from a good brand can provide a well-balanced diet for your puppy.
Feeding Guide according to your puppy’s age:
- 8 to 12 Weeks old Beagle Puppy should be fed special puppy food, as it is loaded with nutrients essential for development. At this age, consider mixing dry and wet puppy food for better digestion.
- 3 to 6-month-old beagle puppy will start losing his potbelly. Keep constant track of his weight. You must maintain a healthy weight. This is also the time when you should start taking him out for walks. Regular exercise will help your puppy lose potbelly and develop muscles. Also, make sure that you don’t over-exercise him, or it can affect his bone development.
- 6 to 12 months old beagle puppy should still be given puppy food. If your brand has a variety of puppy food specially formulated for 6 to 12-month-old puppies, then consider switching to that. If not, then continue feeding the same puppy food.
You can read this detailed age-wise beagle feeding guide for more information.
How to change your Puppy’s Food
NOTE: Before switching the food brand or even the variant of the same brand, you should always consult your vet first.
NO, you cannot just change the food of your puppy. You cannot just switch the food brand or the variant all of a sudden. There’s a process you need to follow.
Mix a small amount of the new food to your puppy’s old food. Gradually increase the amount of the new food while decreasing the old one. This transition should be done over a week.
How much should you feed your Beagle puppy?
Just like humans, puppies have a different metabolism. Which means all the beagle puppies need different quantities of food. You will need to find out the correct amount by looking at your pup’s body condition. If he looks skinny, increase the quantity. If he starts getting fat and chubby, lower down the quantity a little. Just make sure you don’t underfeed him. Puppies grow fast, and you will need to adjust and keep increasing the quantity accordingly.
Consult a vet for better advice.
How many times a day should you feed your puppy?
It depends on the age of the pup. Baby puppies should be fed many small meals throughout the day. Puppy less than 12 weeks old should be fed 5 to 6 times a day. 3 to 6 months old puppy should have three healthy meals + treats that you give him while training. After six months, you can change his feeding schedule to 2 times a day.
But it depends on your pup’s nutritional requirements, so it’s better to talk to your vet about how often you need to feed your beagle puppy.
Puppy’s Sleeping arrangements
With so much playfulness, your beagle puppy will need lots of rest. And by rest, I mean 15 to 18 hours of combined sleeping and lying down. Don’t worry, it’s quite natural and necessary for a puppy to rest for 18 hours. Of course, you want your adorable little pooch to get a comfy sleep.
Yes, you can let your pal sleep with you on your bed, this will soon become your pup’s habit, and then it will be difficult for him to sleep without you. Trust me; you will regret this. So let’s avoid it. Get a cozy and comfortable bed for your little pooch. He will love it.
If you are yet to house train your puppy, then chances are he will pee on his new bed. So make sure to put a layer of newspaper sheets between the blanket and the bed.
It is recommended that you let your puppy sleep in your bedroom, at least during the initial weeks. This will help your puppy feel more secure.
At night, your beagle puppy will have the entire room to himself, and its less likely that he will sleep the entire night. The best way to make sure your pooch sleeps at night is to put him in the crate (we will look into crate training in the next section). I have already written a detailed guide on how to train your beagle puppy to sleep during night time, so go through it if you want.
Crate training
Beagles are known for getting themself in trouble. An unattained beagle can destroy your furniture, swallow dangerous things, even injure himself. It’s just not possible to look after your beagle 24×7. He needs a space where he can rest and be safe. That’s why a proper crate is necessary for a beagle.
Here are a few benefits of crate training:
- A crate gives your pooch a safe and secure place to rest.
- It will help you to potty training your pup.
- It will help you with sleep training your pooch.
Crate training can be tricky, so it is advised that you start with it as soon as possible. You can go through this guide for crate training your beagle puppy.
Puppy Grooming
Grooming is not just about making your beagle look cuter; it’s also about maintaining the physical health of your pup. Regular grooming sessions can prevent so many health complications. Grooming will also strengthen the bond between you and your adorable little pup.
Here’s an overview of things you need to do for Complete Grooming:
- Chopping Nails
- Brushing Teeth
- Brushing the Coat
- Bathing
- Cleaning the inside of the ears
- Paw Care
- Nose Care
Go through this article of grooming your beagle for a step-by-step guide for each of the grooming tasks. At the end of that guide, I have also attached a ‘Grooming Checklist Pdf, ‘ which can help you track each of the grooming tasks (Thank me later).
Potty Training your Beagle Puppy
The first thing you would want to get over with will be your puppy’s potty training. The only way to successfully achieve this task is with consistency and patience. It can take around four months to teach your pup when and where to poop properly and pee. It can even take a year, but all you can do is be patient and consistent with the training.
When to begin your Beagle’s Potty Training
Puppies smaller than 12 weeks have no control over their bladder and bowel moments. So 12 weeks old can be the right age to start with your puppy’s potty training.
How to Potty train your Beagle Puppy
Beagles usually don’t like to Poop or pee in their home. So once your pooch understands that your entire house is his home, he will not prefer to soil indoor. Initially, don’t let your puppy roam free in your entire house. Give him a limited space, a crate, or your room can work, until he understands that he is supposed to poop outside. Then gradually, you can increase his limitations.
Now that you know the general idea lets begin with the guide:
- Beagles don’t like to poop where they sleep. You must put your pup in a crate overnight. It will help your pooch to control his elimination. Take him out first thing in the morning where he is supposed to eliminate.
- Feed your puppy at the same time every day.
- Note down when he eliminates after meals.
- Take him outside during his pooping hours.
- Whenever he eliminates outside, praise him and give him a treat. This will motivate him.
- Be consistent with the training, no matter what.
And that’s how you house train your beagle puppy.
Obedience Training
You have to start teaching obedience to your beagle puppy immediately. Sooner your pup learns the correct way to live with you, the better.
Actions have Consequences
The first chapter of obedience is to teach your puppy that his every behavior will have consequences, either good or bad. If your pooch does something that you want to promote, praise him and reward him. When he misbehaves, say ‘NO’ in a gentle but firm voice, if he continues to do it, then ignore him for some time. In this way, you can shape your puppy’s behavior.
Hierarchy
The second chapter is to teach your puppy the proper hierarchy of your house. Beagles are pack animals, and they follow their leader. If you want your beagle to listen to you, then he needs to understand that you are the leader. He also needs to realize that all the other family members are above him in the hierarchy. If you or one of your family members fail to establish that, then your beagle will stop listening to that specific person and show dominance to him. We don’t want that. Here are a few things you and everyone in the family should do to prove their dominance:
You provide the food for him: Your pup needs to know that you are his food giver. Before feeding him command him to ‘sit.’ Don’t let him eat until you command him to. Let all of your family members feed him this way regularly.
You eat first: You are the leader, and you have the privilege to eat first. At least once a day, eat on the dining table when your puppy sees you. He will whine, jump, even bark, and it will last for a few minutes. After 5 minutes, take your puppy’s meal, command him to sit, and then let him have his food.
You enter first: If you are taking your puppy outside for a walk, make sure you exit the door first. When you both are coming back home, you enter the house first.
Teach Basic Commands
Your life will be much easier if your beagle listens to you. Teaching him basic commands enables you to communicate with your pooch. `
Go through 7 necessary commands and how to teach it to your beagle. These seven commands will bring a different kind of discipline in your beagle puppy, and you will love it.
Teach Tricks
Now, this is the fun part. The best part of being a dog parent is that you can show off cool tricks that your adorable dog can do. Apart from that, teaching tricks to your puppy can be a fantastic bonding time for you both. Teaching tricks will not only help your pooch understand you but also bring obedience to him.
Here are 12 crazy cool tricks with guides that you can teach your beagle puppy.
Exercise
Even though beagles are considered to be apartment dogs, they need more outside time than other indoor breeds due to their high energy levels. Trust me, regular exercise is the key to your beagle’s happiness.
But your pooch is just a puppy, and extreme exercise can mess with his growth plates. For doing extreme sports with your beagle, like hunting, you should wait until his bone structure has fully developed, usually 1 to 1.5 years old, is a safe age.
For beagles less than three months old, exercise should be to a bare minimum. Daily playtime is enough to drain their energy. For beagles between 3 to 6 month old, you can start small walks around the neighborhood. And for the age of 6 to 1 year old, two walks a day are enough.
Here are a few benefits of Daily exercising for beagles:
- Builds a good posture
- Makes the muscle stronger
- Good for heart
- Helps maintain a healthy weight
- Helps release the energy
Here are 12 exercises for your beagle, just make sure not to overdo any of these, at least until your pooch is one year old.
First-month with your beagle puppy
After a week, your cuddle-monster will start feeling comfortable in his new house and safe around you and your family members. Now its time for some work. In the first month itself, you will have to start training your beagle puppy.
Here is a checklist of tasks that you need to do in the first month:
- Put your puppy on a feeding schedule (feed him on the same time every day)
- Start crate training him. This will help you put him on a sleeping schedule.
- If your pup is more than 12 weeks old, then start with his potty training. If not, then it’s okay to cut him some slack.
- Start with his obedience training.
- Start teaching him some basic commands.
- Introduce him to small grooming sessions.
- Most importantly, make sure not to miss the deworming and vaccination appointments suggested by your vet.
Well, it may seem like a lot of work, and being frank it is. But this fundamental training will help you mold your beagle puppy in a lovable and obedient dog. And its all worth it.
Make a daily schedule
It is highly recommended to create a fixed daily schedule of your puppy and then split all the tasks among your family members in a way that it fits in their day-to-day schedule.
In this way, your pup gets the care from all the family members, and it will also create an unbreakable bond between your pup and the entire family.
Health Care
As a dog parent, it’s your responsibility to take the best care of your pooch. Here are common beagle health problems and how you can avoid them.
First Year care for your Beagle Puppy.
Now that you know everything you need to do for raising a perfect beagle puppy, let’s have an overview of how the first year of beagle should be:
Eight weeks to 3 months old
Eight weeks is a suitable age to bring your beagle puppy home. You will have to take extreme care of your puppy during these days. If your puppy does anything unusual, take him to the vet immediately. If your puppy vomits or has diarrhea, then it can be a sign of infection or any other health complication, so take him to the vet asap. At this age, always keep him under supervision, and make sure he doesn’t eat anything else than his food.
Do not miss the feeding schedule. Your puppy needs essential nutrients and proteins for proper growth and development.
Socialization at this age is necessary. Once your pooch starts feeling comfortable around your family, start introducing your friends and extended family. Also, make him meet other dogs and puppies. This will develop his socialization skills.
3 to 6 months old
Right around this age, your puppy will go through his teething phase. Provide him good quality chew toys, which will help with dealing with his gum irritation. Just like human babies, puppies bite, and by this age, your pooch will become strong enough to cause you pain, even make you bleed. Go through this article about how to train your beagle puppy to stop biting.
Your puppy will become more socially friendly. He should be on a proper schedule with all his training and grooming.
6 to 12 month old
At around this age, beagles start showing sexual behaviors. A female Beagle puppy will get her first heat cycle when she is around six months old. Male beagle puppy will start humping on things. If you decide to spay or neuter your puppy, then this is an appropriate time. Talk to your vet regarding this for proper knowledge.
Your pup will start having better communication skills. He will have a lot of energy stored up, and you will need to make sure that he gets proper exercise and a way to release his energy. If failed to do so, your puppy can she some aggression at this age.
Final Thoughts
If you ask me for one final advice for raising a beagle puppy, then I will say that make a proper schedule for your puppy and stick to it no matter what. Proper care during the puppy age can result in a loyal, mature, playful, obedient, and loving companion for many healthy years.
