Why do Beagles stare at you

10 Common Beagle Behavior Problems and How to Fix Them

If you own a beagle, then you know this very well that BEAGLES ARE STUBBORN. This makes it a little more challenging to train them.

I am a parent of two naughty but adorable beagles, and over the years, I have stumbled upon various behavior problems.

So I decided to help my fellow beagle parents and made this list of 10 common beagle behavior problems and how to deal with them.

1. Barking Whining Baying Howling

Beagles are vocally expressive. They like to express their feeling out loud. You may have already heard them making different types of noises like barking, whining, baying, and howling.

Barking is normal. They like to bark just like people like to talk. But sometimes loud and excessive barking can become a little irritating for us.

Most owners unknowingly instigate their beagles to bark louder. When you scream at your beagle to stop barking, your pooch gets more excited and sees it as a competition. Seeing you shout, he may try to bark louder than you.

Beagles also bark to gain their owners attention. They are very clever at picking up small things. If they notice that barking gets them your attention, they will bark more often.

How to Fix it

The best way to deal with barking is by not reacting to it. When your beagle barks or whines or howls, do not respond, do not even look at him, keep doing what you were.

And once he stops barking for more than two minutes, give him a treat. By this, you are promoting the good behavior of your beagle without encouraging his barking.

2. Chewing around the house

Beagles like chewing. It makes them happy and satisfied. While its okay to chew on toys, whats not okay it to chew on furniture and other household things.

This problem is more common than you think. When I got Groot, my younger beagle, he was a zombie. He used to chew everything that could fit in his mouth. Furniture in my house still has all the scratches and teeth marks.

How to Fit it

The best way to stop unwanted chewing is to confine your beagle to his chew toys only. Please do not give him a chance to chew anything else. Here some of the best chew toys for your beagle.

Do not allow him to roam freely in your house. Instead, keep him in a room or in his crate with his chew toys.

You can beagle proof a room by removing all the unnecessary things that your pooch can chew.

You can also put him in his crate when with some of his chew toys. But make sure your beagle has been crate trained properly.

3. Ignoring Commands

Beagles are very smart and cunning dogs. They will stop following your commands If they realize they dont benefit much from following your orders.

Lets say if you stop giving them treats for a while for following your commands, they will start ignoring you.

Something similar happened to my neighbor. Her two-year-old beagle would listen to her only when she had a treat in her hands. And he would ignore all her commands when she had nothing in her hands.

How to Fix it

Your beagle needs some positive reinforcement to follow your commands. First, start giving him treats every time he follows your command. Gradually decrease the frequency at which you give the treats.

For instance, start with giving your beagle treats for every time he follows the command, then lower down the frequency to treating him for every 2nd time he follows the commands. And then after every three times.

Also Read: 7 Commands you Need to Teach your Beagle

4. Pulling on the leash

Beagles have a curious mind. You can say they are dogs with Hashtag WonderLust. Due to this, pulling on their leash is a common behavior problem among beagles.

When they out in the open, beagles are more interested in finding out the source of a scent than sticking beside their owners.

How to Fix it

Allowing your beagle to pull will motivate him more. Whenever he pulls on the leash, stop right there. He needs to understand that pulling will not get him what he wants.

Once he stops pulling and comes back to you, give him a treat, and continue walking. Soon he will understand that pulling gets him nowhere and stop doing it.

5. Biting

It is normal for young puppies to bite. They dont know how to interact with humans. It is your duty to teach them the correct way to communicate with you.

However, biting habits can continue to adulthood if you fail to teach them the correct way of interacting when they are young.

Soft play-biting is fine, but if it causes any type of pain, then you have to do something about it.

How to Fix it

Redirect your dogs behavior to a toy whenever he starts biting.

When he bites, make a low pitch, loud noise until he stops and then ignore him for some time. This will help your beagle to understand that biting hurts, and it will end all the fun of him.

If your beagle is still a puppy, then go through this guide of How to stop your Beagle Puppy from Biting. You can even watch this video:

6. Jumping

Jumping on people is not something you should promote. Beagles can jump for many reasons. They jump when they are excited, they jump to greet people. They jump when they want something that you are holding.

While jumping on you may seem cute, but it can be dangerous for you as well as your beagle.

How to Fix it

Whenever your beagle jumps on you, turn away. Do not motivate his behavior by greeting him back.

If your beagle jumps to grab things from your hands, or when you have his food, then give him the sit command before he jumps. If he doesnt sit, then wait and do nothing until he sits.

If he jumps on strangers and guests, then show him a treat and make him sit before you open the door.

In this way, you are correcting the unnecessary jumping of your pooch.

But this doesnt mean that you should never allow your beagle to jump. You can teach your beagle to jump on your command.

7. Digging

Not just beagles, but all the dogs love to dig, and theres a reason behind that. Back in the past, when dogs use to live in the wild, they use to dig a hole and sleep in it. It makes them feel more secure.

Even after being domesticated now, dogs still have this hiding of digging. It satisfies their natural instinct. You can watch this video to know more about this behavior:

How to fix it

Digging is perfectly fine, and you dont need to correct this behavior. However, if your beagle has been ruining your backyard garden by digging up holes, then there is something you can do.

Provide an area in your backyard to your beagle where he can burrow as much as he wants. Designate an area where he is allowed to dig and hide his favorite toy there. He will surely love this game.

And whenever he tries to dig in the garden area, distract him, redirect him to his designated area. Soon enough, he will figure it out where he is allowed to dig and where he is not.

8. Begging

Beagles make a squishy noise when they want something. Thats begging. Once it starts, it never ends.

While begging, their eyes suddenly become very soulful and sound as if they are crying. If your beagle learns that he gets what he wants when he begs, then he will do it all the time.

How to Fix it

The only way to fix this is by not fulfilling your beagles wish. Suppose, when you have your dinner and your pooch starts begging to taste some Pasta, do not give him that. Let him beg, but do not give him what he wants.

9. Aggressive Behaviour

Beagles are a breed of friendly dogs, and they rarely show any type of aggression. People often misunderstand common puppy behavior as aggression. So before you conclude that your pooch is aggressive, watch this video of signs that your beagle is aggressive:

How to Fix it

If you think your beagle is aggressive, the best way to deal with it is by consulting a professional dog trainer or dog behaviorist.

10. Separation Anxiety

Beagles are social and friendly dogs. While this is an excellent quality, it also makes them prone to Separation anxiety.

Beagles like to be around people, but when left alone, they can become anxious. Separation anxiety can lead to destructive behavior like chewing and accessive barking.

If your beagle starts barking every time you leave him alone in the room, then he is going through separation anxiety.

How to Fix it

Before leaving your beagle alone, give him some tasks to do like a kong. KONG is a must-have toy if your dog is going through separation anxiety.

Kongs are interactive toys that you can fill with dog food and let your beagle struggle to eat it.

Before leaving your house, give your offer him kong filled with dog food and let him get busy getting his food out of it.

Conclusion

Every behavior problem of your beagle is fixable. You just need enough time and patience. However, if you are unable to solve any of these issues, there is no shame in asking for help from a professional dog trainer.

When it comes to beagle body language, we do have to wonder what clues we may be missing in translation.

Lets face it: our beagles are close-knit members of our families. And as such, they take on many of our characteristics.

One characteristic you may not be very attuned to in your beagle is their body language.

Sure, you may even understand when they vocalize. But what about their elaborate second language without sound, that shows exactly how they think and feel.

Garnering an understanding of this elusive language will result in a relationship that is that much stronger and loving, between you and your beagle.

Individual Components And The Entire Body As A Whole

Aristotle once said, The Whole Is Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts.

That statement couldnt apply more accurately.

Your beagle will actively express their thoughts and feelings. For us to better decipher it, we need to be observing their body as a whole.

But that being said, the individual components like eyes, ears, mouth, tail all speak their own language.

However, when presented in different ways can mean completely different things.

Decoding Your Beagles Individual Component Expressions

Just like us humans, our beagles are particularly expressive with their faces. But unlike us, they have also the ever so important tail. Lets go in-depth about how these individual parts to display their emotion.

Now with that being said: Similar facial expressions can have a completely different meaning when read in conjunction with the overall posture of their body.

The Eyes Of Your Beagle

Beagles may have their eyes wide open, half-closed, staring directly at you or purposefully looking away.

Neutral: When pleasantly calm, their eyes are often oval-shaped.

Submissive: They will look away, or briefly look at you then look away. It could also mean that they are nervous.

Assertive: When particularly aware of their surroundings, their eyes will be more rounded displaying calm confidence.

Aggressive: If they are staring straight at you and holding it, this is a threat almost always. Their eyes will show more of the sclera (the white portion of the eyes) as they will be wide-open and rounded. An aggressive or possessive beagle will display this. Be particularly mindful of a scenario like this, as youll want to de-escalate the scenario before your beagle or anyone else gets hurt.

The Ears Of Your Beagle

Beagles as you well know, have quite the floppy ears.

Yes, they arent as expressive as pricked ears (those that are naturally erect) as some breeds have like the German shepherd, but they can still show emotion.

Confidence: The more forward and high their ears are (again dont expect pricked ears), as opposed them being held flat and toward the back of the head, the more confidence they are.

The Mouth Of Your Beagle

Closed Or Slightly Open During Hot Weather: They are typically in a relaxed and happy state.

Licks Their Lips, Or The Face Of A Person, Or Another Dog: generally a submissive play. It may also be indicative of them being unsure of themselves.

Yawning: Of course, they may just be tired. But it can also be a calming indicator. They may be frustrated and are in need of a mental break. If youre in the middle of training, you may want to vary the intensity or alter the approach.

Submissive Grin: If your beagle pulls up (only) their top lip to show their teeth. Theyll have their ears back, their head lowered, trying to look small. Do not confuse this with a threatening aggressive grin, as their body language will say otherwise. They definitely will not be growling, if this is what theyre trying to convey.

Aggressive Grin: If your beagle pulls up their top lip up, the bottom lip down (think of that mouthpiece that holds your mouth open wide at the dentists office), theyre standing rigidly and theyre growling or snarling they may be inclined to bite, as this is a threatening gesture. Exercise extreme caution.

The Tail Of Your Beagle

Heres how your beagle uses their tail to express their emotions:

Neutral: If your beagles tail is held naturally, level or lower than their bodies; that equates that they are relaxed and calm.

Happy: If your beagles tail is held naturally, level or lower than their bodies, and wagging slowly or enthusiastically, they are excited and happy.

Submissive: If your beagles tail is tucked between their legs, or held very low; they are fearful or nervous.

Aggressive: If your beagle tail held high in the air, while not wagging at all, or wagging side to side slowly and purposefully; they are showing dominant, aggressive or threatening behavior.

Granted, its always a good idea to try to get the big picture. For example, your beagle is a hunting breed by default, so maybe hes just on the scent of an animal. Its wise to keep in mind their posture and the situation. That being said: Dont always assume that a wagging tail is a happy dog.

Deciphering The Emotions Of Your Beagle From Their Body Language

Now that weve addressed the individual components, now its time to delve deeper into the body language of a beagle, by looking at their bodies as a whole.

As a general rule, your beagle can do 3 different things with their bodies, to display their general emotions:

• Hold themselves naturally, in a relaxed and calm state.
• Make themselves smaller and less threatening.
• Make themselves larger and more threatening.

Happy

If your beagle is happy, they will look relaxed and natural. Theyll stand balanced with their weight centered on all fours. Their eyes, ears, mouth, and tail are all held naturally, and if their tail is wagging, it will be at body level or lower. They will exude confidence.

Excited

If your beagle is excited, they will look a little less relaxed, more alert and tense; but they remain happy. I love beagles that get so excited that when they wag their tail, their entire back-end moves with their tail. How cute is that?

A beagle will occasionally stare intensely at whatever has captured their attention unless of course, its actually within their reach. In that case, theyll be all over it in excitement. You may even notice your beagle emitting short high-pitched barks.

Playtime

Weve all seen it in our beagles: the universal play bow.

The play bow is when your beagle drops in a position where their front legs are outstretched low in front of them, their chest low, and their back-end being held high in the air. They often have their mouths open, eyes wide open, and their ears are held forward and high. This is usually alongside sounding high-pitched and excited barks.

Ready And Alert

An alert beagle will stand tall, with all of their weight centered on all fours, staring at whatever has caught their attention with their ears perked up and forward. Their tail will usually be held still and at body level or higher, their eyes will be somewhere between normal and wide open. An alert beagle will look mildly intense and yet highly concentrated.

Scared And Frightened

A frightened beagle will try to make themselves look smaller, which is a submissive move to avoid looking threatening and inviting attack.

They will be alert, taking frequent side glances of what is frightening them. They will be low-slung, with their eyes narrow, ears pinned backs, and looking away.

The most recognizable sign of a beagle being scared or frightened is their tail is will be tucked between their legs, under their body.

Unsure, But Curious

Ready to spring away at a moments notice, a beagle thats curious will have their most of their weight shifted onto their back legs.

The stutter walk will commence. A few steps forward, a few back; pushing their neck and head forward or maybe a paw, making a slow progression toward what has caught their curiosity.

Youve likely also seen the curiosity tilt; when they tilt their head side-to-side when they are trying to understand what they are seeing or hearing.

Submissive

A submissive beagle will make themselves smaller, by keeping their bodies low, along with their tail (which may be wagging), and their muzzles may be pointing down toward the floor. They are displaying absolute passivity; thwarting any thoughts that anyone or anything needs to attack, as they pose no threat.

They may offer display other behaviors such as lip licking or licking the person or other animals theyre feeling submissive to.

The most recognizable signs sometimes shown is when your beagle rolls on their backs, which displays submissive trust.

Body Language Tools

One of our beagles used to suffer from a marked case of separation anxiety, when we first adopted him. We purchased a Thundershirt out of sheer compassion and frankly, desperation. That, along with the other products weve used that may help you with dealing with your own beagles body language, is located in a list we created here.

Final Thoughts

Learning your beagles body language is important in understanding how your beagle is feeling at any given time.

After all, we typically take notice of other peoples emotions and adjust our own behavior or actions accordingly. Therefore, does it make sense to do the same for our dogs, that are members of our family?

If you use this information correctly, you can accordingly adjust your behavior or expectations for your beagle.

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