Important Considerations Before Bringing A Beagle Home
Beware Of All The Digging!
While Beagles are low-maintenance pets, they love playing in the dirt. Do not be surprised if you catch your Beagle digging up some mud in your backyard and rolling around in it. Do not let it alone in your backyard or you will most certainly see a hole dug up in there! To avoid such behavior, you can train your Beagle from a young age using treat reinforcement. While you cannot take their instincts completely, you can always manage them effectively.
Not Everyone Likes Their Howls
Beagles are infamous for their howls. While some Beagle parents find this voice adorable, others get irritated by it after a few years. It is easy to alarm a Beagle, and an alarmed Beagle will howl at almost anything. From singing along to a song playing near them to barking at insects, you can expect your Beagle to be noisy. You can control such barking and howling by giving your pet the right obedience training from a young age.
Beagles Have Powerful Fight-or-flight Instincts
Most dog breeds, irrespective of their sizes, put up a fight and act territorial to protect their owners and loved ones. Beagles, on the other hand, have a strong fight-or-flight instinct. When faced with challenging circumstances, their first reaction can be that of running away. Make sure you keep your Beagle on a leash whenever you take it out for a walk.
They Tend To Overeat
While Beagles are not fussy eaters, their unabashed love for food can make them overeat. Always keep track of what they eat and how much food they consume during every meal. Overeating can make your Beagle lazy, obese, and a host to several health issues.
Beagles Are Way Too Energetic
Beagles seem to possess an energy that never runs out and gets them tired! Even if you spend hours playing with your pet, it will be immediately ready for a new game soon after the first one ends. If you are planning to bring home a Beagle, be mindful of this truckload of energy that will hit you soon!
Their Tracking Instincts May Kick In
Beagles also tend to give in to their tracking instincts and take off if they catch a peculiar smell or spot an interesting object/animal. Keeping your Beagle off the leash can make it difficult to control these instincts, risking your pet running away.
You Cannot Escape Shedding
While the coat of a Beagle is short and does not require daily brushing, it will still shed and cover multiple areas of your house with dog hair. There is no escaping dog hair if you are planning to bring a Beagle puppy home! Keep your vacuum cleaner ready to deal with your Beagle’s hair on your carpet, bed, couch, and several other areas of your house. If anyone in your family is allergic to dog hair, you should rethink your decision of getting a Beagle. You can always choose hypoallergic dog breeds to stay away from dog hair.
Beagles Can Get Stubborn
All the love you give your Beagle can turn it into a stubborn pet. Beagles often get stubborn over time, making their owners have things their way. Once your pet makes up its mind about something, it can be really difficult to change its mind and have it follow your instructions. The best (and the only) way to tackle such behavior is extensive obedience training. Hire a good trainer and ensure that your Beagle grows into a well-mannered adult!