Why is my beagle snapping at other dogs?
The above is a common question for beagle owners, but can also be a question for the majority of dog owners at some point regardless of which dog breed we’re talking about.
Beagles are a friendly, though particularly protective breed. Dogs will snap at other dogs as a means to engage, warn, or protect their owners – unfortunately, even when there isn’t an obvious need to do so.
Snapping can be one of the first behaviors that a dog owner wants to discourage in their pet, especially when coming into contact with other dogs and people.
Learn more about why your beagle snaps at other dogs, and what you can do to discourage the behavior through positive reinforcement.
Why Is My Beagle Snapping at Other Dogs?
All dogs might snap or bite at other dogs, usually as a form of protection or warning to others. Dogs are more likely to be in “protective mode” around their owners, which can cause them to engage in this behavior (including growling or biting) when other dogs approach.
However, it can also lead to fights, which means that you want to discourage this behavior in your dogs as soon as it starts.
Beagles are a particularly protective dog breed, and they might be more likely than many other dog breeds to try and protect you (their owner) from imagined harm.
However, dogs also feed their reactions from their owners – and if you react in a negative or dramatic way, you’re only adding fuel to the situation.
How Can I Discourage My Beagle Snapping at Other Dogs?
The first thing you should do to discourage your beagle from snapping at other dogs is to ignore the root of the behavior when you’re alone with your dog. Dogs engage in play-biting, though also go towards more serious attempts at biting or snapping when they feel uncomfortable or threatened.
Notice how your dog plays or protects you when you’re alone, and notice their reaction to other people and pets when around them.
Discourage (that is, ignore) any form of snapping or biting when training your dog. They’ll become automatically less likely to consider this behavior appropriate when they’re in company.
Why Do Beagles Sometimes Snap or Bite?
Beagles sometimes snap or bite out of play-aggression, especially when playing with other puppies. Beagle Care notes that dog owners should do their best to discourage active biting – and without reacting too dramatically, draw their attention away to something else.
A simple and firm “no!” command can reaffirm your pet’s attention to something else. Reinforce what they do next with a positive behavior and a good command, making them more likely to see what you’re trying to show or teach them.
Beagles sometimes growl as a precursor, though might also show aggressive behavior around other dogs. In both cases, discourage or ignore their behavior, and disengage their contact with the other dog in a calm, yet firm manner.
1. Guarding and Possessive Behavior
Dogs might snap at other dogs or people because of guarding and possessive behavior, says Beagle Welfare.
Beagles, and many other dog breeds, might snap or growl when other dogs approach because they’re feeling like they have something to protect (for example, their toys or their owners).
Guarding and possessive behavior is easy to discourage.
Never reach directly for a dog’s object (whether toy or food) without a means of distraction, remaining in control.
Accidents happen, and any quick movements could lead to sudden snapping behavior.
2. Females in Heat
If your beagle hasn’t been fixed yet, then nearby females in heat can be one of the potential triggers for their aggression or snapping behavior. The best thing owners can do in this case is to separate their dog from the female – and bring their dog’s focus back to something else.
Unfortunately, nature dictates a more protective and aggressive stance around females in heat.
According to discussions on DogForum,the best possible solution is simply to disengage your dog first.
3. Protecting Their Owner
Dogs might snap or bite at others, thinking that they’re protecting their owners or their interests from potential harm or threat.
According to the American Kennel Club, Beagles are one of the dog breeds that are particularly known to do this.
Discourage growing and biting, making sure that you remain in control of the situation: use a lead, and reassure your dog that there’s nothing to worry about.
Take care before approaching other dogs, and make sure that you still maintain this level of control when near other dogs.
A simple command to sit can discourage your dog’s immediate reaction to bite or snap: however, this can take time, and it’s not something your dog will understand overnight.
How Do I Stop My Beagle from Snapping?
Growling, snapping, or biting as a protective or warning measure is normal behavior for most canines at first: however it’s important to show your dogs that this kind of behavior becomes less appropriate as they get older and continue their training.
Dog training has to be consistent, making sure you encourage the good behavior and discourage the bad. While it’s not an overnight process, you will see the results in your dog if you manage to remain consistent with your commands and training.
Here’s how to stop your beagle from snapping at others.
1. Discourage snapping behavior
Discourage all forms of snapping or biting behavior by distracting your dog’s attention, and/or having clear commands to engage their attention to something else that’s appropriate and praised (like sitting down or walking away).
If your reaction is too dramatic or anxious, dogs will only respond to this with feeling they have more to protect. In many cases, a dramatic reaction can only make your dogs believe they continue the behavior.
2. Keep them on a leash
Keep your dog on a leash when they’re about to engage with other dogs, and have a command for them to sit and immediately return their focus to the situation. This can stop uncomfortable encounters with other dogs, as well as discourage their snapping or biting behavior.
Remember that leash training shouldn’t just happen around other dogs, but should also commence when you’re alone with your dog. This can make it easier to maintain control in situations where there are many different distractions (such as other dogs) for them to think about.
3. Control time with other dogs
Control time with other dogs, and know when to stop a playing session for becoming too playful or rough. Dogs might easily start off calm, and get carried away with their playing time in the heat of the moment – which only leads back to the same question.
Call your dogs back when their playing gets too excited, making use of clear and concise commands (such as sitting down or coming back to your side).
Use a leash for initial training, making sure that you’re able to have total control of the situation – and callback method.
4. Distract their attention
Distract your dogs when they engage in growling or snapping behavior, using a toy or treat to return their attention back to the moment. This is especially useful when you’re introducing initial commands, which you expect them to listen to (usually later on) meeting other dogs.
Dogs are easy to distract, which can also mean that they’re easier to control when they become reactive to what’s around them.
6. Create clear, reinforced cues
Dogs will consider their owners for cues before anything else, and your reaction to them has everything to do with what they’re going to do next. Create clear, reinforced cues that work when you’re alone with them – and therefore, creating cues and commands that are more likely to maintain their attention when around other dogs.
A little positive reinforcement goes a long way!
Seek Professional Dog Training Classes
Attend at least one professional dog training class with your dog, and remember that dog training is about learning how to work with your dog – owners are expected to learn tricks and techniques alongside their dog, and it’s just as important to consider it as “human training” that teaches owners how to better respond to their dogs.