Are beagles stubborn?
Yes, beagles can be very stubborn and headstrong. In fact, the topic of beagles’ stubbornness is one that often leads people to wonder – “Why Beagles Are The Worst Dogs?” However, I think this is unfair as there are several reasons why beagles are so stubborn and ways you can work around this trait of theirs.
In this article, we’ll explore:
- Are beagles stubborn?
- Why exactly beagles are so stubborn
- What you can do about your beagle’s stubbornness
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
- Are beagles difficult dogs to own?
- Do beagles like to be held?
- Where should a beagle sleep?
- Are beagles a good house dog?
- How do beagles show love?
- Why do Beagles like to run away?
- How can you tell if a beagle is unhappy?
- At what age do Beagles mellow?
- Do Beagles know when they are full?
- Recap: Are beagles stubborn?
By the end of our guide, you’ll understand beagle personality better and know how to work around your pet’s stubborn nature.
Why exactly beagles are so stubborn
Beagles were bred to be hunting dogs, so if they are “on the scent” and catch a whiff of something that activates their old hunting patterns, there’s little you can do to dissuade them from pursuing their prey. Don’t fear though, beagles were also bred not to attack anything, so while they may stubbornly pursue a squirrel or rabbit in the wild, they won’t actually hurt anything.
Another reason why they’re stubborn is that beagles are very smart dogs. Read more here to learn just how intelligent they are. However, this leads to them being bored more easily than the average dog breed and understanding intuitively what they can get away with. They can be more mischievous because of this intelligence.
What you can do about your beagle’s stubbornness
There are several things you can do about a beagle’s stubbornness:
- Exercise
Make sure your beagle is properly exercised, with two or three walks a day that ideally involve socializing with other dogs and humans. This helps prevent extra energy and their desire to “act up” and be stubborn.
- Routines
Keep your beagle on strict walking, eating, and sleeping routines. Make sure to feed them healthy dog kibble. They will learn over time what time certain things will happen, and if you are more consistent with them, they will gradually become more consistent with you.
- Treat your beagle with respect – don’t punish them
Don’t scream or punish your beagle, they won’t understand that you’re screaming and might even think you’re excitedly yelling. Venting your anger at them will do nothing to change their behavior.
- Use positive rewards
Reward your beagle for being obedient with treats and positivity. They will learn over time what behaviors illicit your happiness and treats!
- Bark collars
As a last resort, bark collars are highly effective. They deliver static electricity that shocks your dog into stopping unwanted behavior. Many owners are wary of hurting their dogs, but bark collars are usually a temporary measure and have an almost 100% rate of success. However, they should be used as a last resort as we ultimately don’t want to motivate our pets through fear. Check out our guide to beagle collars here, which includes humane anti bark and anti howl devices that use vibrations and sound rather than shocks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Are beagles difficult dogs to own?
Beagles are not difficult to own! With the proper training and routines, they will learn to be great pets in no time.
Do beagles like to be held?
Yes, beagles like to be held because they love affection and cuddling. They will happily spend all day by your side.
Where should a beagle sleep?
A new beagle puppy should sleep in either your room or an adjacent room, in a crate. As they grow older, beagles can sleep in either a crate or dog bed in the living room.
Are beagles a good house dog?
Yes! Beagles are trainable and highly affectionate. They’re also protective and will guard your family passionately. Read more on beagles as house and apartment dogs here.
How do beagles show love?
Beagles show love by going in for cuddles and jumping into bed to snuggle when you wake up. They may run up to you when you return home for pets and wag their tails in excitement.
Why do Beagles like to run away?
Because beagles are scentdogs and were bred over centuries to be hunters, if they catch a scent it’s hard for them to not follow it. That’s the most likely reason they’ve run away.
How can you tell if a beagle is unhappy?
Your beagle might be very low energy if they’re unhappy. They don’t have as much affection for you and they’ll turn away from you if they’re unhappy.
At what age do Beagles mellow?
Beagles become adults and will calm down around the two year mark. For more details, check out our guide here.
Do Beagles know when they are full?
No, beagles often will overeat and can actually eat themselves to death. This happens if they eat too much dry kibble and then drink water. The kibble expands in their stomach and blocks respiratory function. This is very rare though and they will usually vomit the food before it happens. Their inability to gage their satiety is one reason why beagles are prone to obesity. Read more on beagle hunger here.
Recap: Are beagles stubborn?
- Yes, beagles are more stubborn than the average dog. This is due to their hunting instincts and quick minds.
- Make sure to keep your beagle healthy and occupied to avoid them acting up and being excessively stubborn.
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