Yup I agree with Jessika as well. Training ANY & ALL behavior, commands, tricks etc... must ALWAYS be very consistant!!

And never ever use the crate for anything negative at all. Make sure the crate is always a happy place for the pup.

Is he enrolled in an obedience class? If not I strongly advise you to do so. That will help tremendously with all sorts of important commands, it will also help you two to bond better and it will give him something to do to keep him busy & give him something to look foward to.

And lastly this is something that should of been researched before getting the breed. He is a beagle after all, and they sure are known to bark & make noise. The can also be independant & seem stubborn which is another reason to enroll him into a class.

Good luck with him!