How to Train a Beagle to Hunt Rabbits

Beagles are bred to hunt rabbits and other small game, but this does not guarantee that a beagle will hunt properly without training. The experts at Beagles Unlimited warn that even with training some dogs will not be interested in tracking rabbits. Taking the time to introduce a beagle puppy to the practice of hunting is the best way to find out. Early scent training can begin when a puppy is very young, but the dog should not be introduced to a rabbit until he is four or five months old.

Things You'll Need

  • Rabbit
  • Dog treats
  • Hot dogs
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Instructions

  1. Basic Scent Training

    • 1

      Scatter a few pieces of hot dog around a yard, then let your 4 to 6 week old beagle puppy smell and find the hot dog. This helps introduce the puppy to scent tracking.

    • 2

      Drag a hot dog through short grass to leave a scent trail of at least 10 or 15 feet, dropping small pieces of hot dog every three feet. This will teach the beagle to follow a longer scent trail.

    • 3

      Introduce the dog to the scent of a rabbit around 8 to 10 weeks of age. Playing fetch with a sock rubbed on the fur of a tame or freshly killed rabbit will help the dog associated the action with the animal's scent.

    • 4

      Place a large, tame rabbit inside of a cardboard box and let the dog investigate on its own. This will increase the dog's interest in the rabbit, especially if it can smell and hear the rabbit in the box but can't get to the rabbit.

    Training the Dog with Live Rabbits

    • 5

      Tie the 12 to 14 week old beagle puppy to a tree using a leash. Let the tame rabbit run around the yard, and chase it yourself to demonstrate to the dog the excitement of chasing a rabbit.

    • 6

      Set the dog loose once it seems interested and excited and let it chase the rabbit. Remove the rabbit if the dog gets aggressive, or when the rabbit becomes tired. Letting the dog chase the rabbit through the bushes can encourage the dog to track it using only scent.

    • 7

      Let the puppy run with older and experienced rabbit-hunting dogs, if possible, so it can learn how to pick up dropped scent trails. A slower running dog, such as an older female beagle, is recommend because she will be slow enough for the puppy to follow.

    • 8

      Acclimate the dog to the sound of gunfire. This is best accomplished by firing your gun at a distance and slowly getting closer to the dog. Banging loud metal dishes together near the dog will also accomplish this goal.

    • 9

      Take the beagle puppy out on its first hunt with the rest of the pack. The dog should be ready to hunt once it's no longer gun shy and is accustomed to tracking rabbits by their scent. The more experienced dogs will teach the puppy anything else it needs to know.