Some dog breeds are renowned for their easy-going nature, while others tend to be somewhat tetchier. But into which category does the puppy-dog-eyed beagle fall? Beagle enthusiasts are often confronted with the question: do beagles bite?
Though beagles are celebrated for their friendly nature, they will resort to biting under specific circumstances. Beagles are not aggressive dogs; mature beagles usually only bite to protect themselves from harm. Young beagles, however, are renowned nippers and chewers.
Awareness of the different situations in which a mature beagle might feel forced to resort to a more aggressive bite is essential. There are also other types of bites, and distinguishing between these will enable a person to better decide on the appropriate course of action. One would not want to mistake a young dog’s boisterous, nipping enthusiasm for concealed aggression!
Why Would Beagles Bite?
Beagles are renowned for their outgoing and friendly nature. If properly socialized, your beagle is far more likely to run up to other people and dogs in the park for a pet and play rather than start a fight. But even with their superb temperament, it is essential to remember that a beagle is still a dog. When forced, beagles will bite just as any other dog would do.
It is really important to note there are different types of biting. Understanding the kind of bite and its motivation will enable a trusting relationship between dog and owner, built on mutual understanding.
Reasons for biting could include:
- Teething biting and chewing in young beagles
- Play nipping and biting in young beagles
- Separation anxiety
- Fear and unfamiliar stimuli
- Pain
Beagle Pups Biting While Teething
All young dogs, including beagles, shed their baby teeth, which are then replaced by permanent teeth. This process will happen at approximately four to eight months, and your beagle pup will be biting and chewing on any available object. Teething is a normal part of a pup’s development and should be planned for and managed properly.
Beagle Pups Nipping While Playing
The young of most species engage in play, and beagle pups are no exception. In their formative months, they will explore their surroundings and learn what behavior is appropriate and acceptable and what is not.
A large proportion of play is done through nipping and biting their siblings. The reaction of their sibling to either engage in further play or to move away when bitten too hard teaches the pup what amount of force is acceptable and what is not. These are valuable lessons for the young beagle pup.
Biting In Beagles Due To Separation Anxiety
Beagles are very sociable dogs. They love to interact and engage with both their humans and other dogs. Beagles do not do well when left alone regularly for extended periods. If this happens, they may start to bite the feet and ankles of their human when they try to leave the house, attempting to get them to stay. This anxiousness will require specific training to manage and mitigate.
Remember, your beagle sees itself as part of your pack!
Biting In Beagles Due To Fear
If a young beagle was not regularly introduced to new stimuli, it never learned how to react to them and manage the unknown. Because such a dog does not know how to judge new situations and respond appropriately, it could become fearful and bite unnecessarily. If a dog is afraid, it will try to protect itself and is liable to bite with little provocation.
Biting In Beagles Due To Pain
Dogs cannot speak to us using words. They will communicate with their humans through their actions, behavior, and vocalization. When dogs are enduring specific health issues, particularly those resulting in pain, they may bite as a warning to try to save themselves from more pain.
Before biting, they will usually try to warn the approaching person with their behavior and vocalization, such as growling. Do not force them to resort to biting, and consult a professional for help.
Stopping Your Beagles From Biting
Once one understands why a beagle would bite, it is possible to mitigate these circumstances and usually prevent the dog from biting.
Young dogs will chew on anything to relieve the itching their new emerging teeth are causing. Providing enough objects, such as chewable toys that are acceptable for the puppy to chew on can avoid unnecessary conflict. Presenting chew toys with varying textures often relieves the itching of the beagle pup’s new teeth, preventing extensive damage.
When a young beagle nips a person harder than they appreciate, it is vital to remember that the young dog does not yet realize what is acceptable and what is not. It is up to the dog owner or handler to teach them.
If a puppy nips one of its litter mates too hard, the bitten pup will yelp and move away, ignoring the offender. This behavior teaches the young dog what behavior is acceptable. A playmate will deprive the offending pup of interaction if they bite too hard. This is a technique humans can use to teach their beagle pups when they have crossed an acceptable threshold, particularly in biting.
As with any young dog, it is key to introduce your beagle pup to new stimuli. Expose them to new experiences, new environs, new people, and new animals. Do this slowly and with ample support and reassurance; this will capacitate them to handle new experiences as they grow older. They learn how to handle situations they are unfamiliar with in a healthy and acceptable way.
If a beagle is in pain, it may not react in the way it would usually do. It is essential to make sure your beagle is in good health. If one suspects your dog is not feeling well or behaving out of character, it is advisable to take them to a veterinarian for an examination. If they are experiencing pain, they could bite anyone that tries to touch them to prevent further pain.
Never Tease A Beagle
No matter how well-mannered, mild, and obedient a dog may be, one must never tease any dog. Though training will prevent a dog from unnecessarily biting, expecting any animal to endure unfair teasing and taunting is unacceptable.
Conclusion
Beagles are fun-loving, loyal, and friendly dogs. As adults, they usually won’t bite unless they are feeling threatened or are in pain. Young beagles could bite to relieve the itch of new teeth or because of pure youthly enthusiasm.
Most importantly, how a beagle is reared and handled is crucial in how they behave as adults. If appropriately raised and not threatened or teased as adults while keeping an eye on their health and well-being, a beagle will become a caring and loving part of any family and will not bite.
References
https://wagwalking.com/behavior/why-do-beagle-puppies-bite-so-much
https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/dog-breeds/beagle
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/why-do-dogs-bite/
https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/behavior-appearance/types-of-common-dog-behavior
