I am looking for advice regarding recall with my 5 month old Beagle. I have been long line training him now for a couple of weeks which has been well received. He will return when called, but only if not distracted. Do I continue until my success is 100% or is there anything else I can do.

I am really worried about letting him off the lead and never seeing him again. I've heard so many horror stories about Hounds.

Any advice would be great because I really would like to let him off the lead !

JJ

There is some advice on the "thoroughly fed up and miserable" post. Different people giving different views. Thorough enjoyable to read, and write may I add, so you can read how different people have/are using different styles to train the recall. Keep in mind that all dogs are different and you'll have to find a style which suits you and your dog. It may help to note that the breed can influence how you train a dog. A Dogo Argentino will react differently to a certain type of training to your Beagle so maybe you can try and get hold of a few books to do with the Beagle. I'm sure the author will show you not only techniques of training but also what you can/cant do with that breed/ what to watch out for etc. I guess there's one for the beagle, cos I've got from the same series' books for Rotty's, Dobe's and GSD's
Goodluck
Josh_

Find a safe area where there is little or no distraction - there will be smells etc... but no other dogs/people running about so you are more likely to succeed with your training methods of recall. Keep an eye out and if you see someone approaching then call him back and keep him on the lead until the distraction has passed.
If this doesn't work and he is ignoring you when he is off then don't be afraid to take a backward step and use the line again. It was just too early to progress and you can try later.
Remember lots of praise/treats/games when he does return to you. I would alternate so that he knows something good is going to happen when he gets back to you on command but he's not sure what. It'll keep him interested.
Good Luck
Lara x

My 6 month old beagle doesn't listen at all. She has now been going to training class every week from she was 16 week old and in a controlled environment shes fine and very obedient. The minute we go outside she goes deaf and just completely ignores me, if there are distractions. I have let her off on the beach as i found that the safest place but she chases after birds and doesn't come back. One day she ran about two miles. She was so focused on the bird, my voice meant nothing. I now have a long extendable lead and she goes for plenty of walks and gets to go out in the garden, and shes perfectly happy. I prefer it this way as at least i know she is safe. I would hate to lose her or for her to end up in a dangerous situation. I think its just in their nature to be wandering. Hope this has helped you. By the way, did you get your beagle from the Chester area ?

Thanks beagle, it really is reassuring to find I am not unique. Sounds like we've got very similar dogs. Milton is very good in the house and garden but outside he is off like a shot with an apparent disregard for my voice.

Luckily we have a very big garden where Milton runs around to his hearts content. I think I will err and the safe side and keep him on a long extending lead for now and perservere with the training.

Milton came from a Cambrigeshire breeder not, so not anywhere near Chester !

Thanks again.

hi,
as beagles are scent hounds,if they pick up a scent they will be off, i have whippets and only let them off on the beach when the tied is in as the bitch i have will chase anything that moves, although she is reasonably good to come back,i never let them off in fields unless she is coursing, with most hounds, a lot of people do not let them off lead until a good level of training has been achieved, this is somthing you have to decide foryourself as to the safty of your dog and to others, if your dog should run in to the road and cause a accident,good luck tina