Beagles are great dogs that make awesome pets. They are incredibly smart and completely loyal. These are dogs that make for great family members because they play well with children. They are naturally curious and friendly. The one attribute of a beagle, which can be considered either a positive or a negative, is they are active dogs. They will want to run, jump, and play all the time.
This leads to the inevitable conclusion that these dogs, especially young beagles, tend to be hyperactive.
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When Do Beagles Calm Down?
The most likely answer is when they mature. Most dogs begin to mature into adult dogs around two years old, even though many still retain puppy-like qualities after that age. It is about that time that dogs learn more impulse control, so their hyperactivity is more controlled.
The other answer is that hyperactivity will be reduced when they are better trained. Learning how to properly train your beagle will go a long way to calming them down.
What Causes Beagles to Be So Hyper?
There are several factors that can play into a beagle’s hyperactivity. Each factor requires some special attention.
Age
Young beagles are going to be more active than older dogs. A young puppy, aged two to four months, is constantly curious. He will want to constantly move from activity to activity without a lot of focus. He doesn’t need a lot of time outdoors but does constantly need to be entertained.
This will continue in some variations up to one year old. This is the age where they have a roller coaster of energy levels where they explode with it and then crash hard to sleep.
After their first birthday, beagles enter their most hyperactive stage. This is when indoors no longer works as the young beagle wants to run and play all the time. They have remarkable energy that must be channeled into positive behavior. They could act completely crazy at times because they have an adult body but still contain a lot of puppy personality.
Breed
Beagles are natural hunting dogs, so their particular breed is genetically wired to be alert, run, and chase. They are hard-wired to be easily triggered into an alert stance. You begin to see some obedience around six months old, which adds a sense of calm, and a good baseline for a puppy’s activity starts to become evident when they are around one year old.
Frustration
Some dogs, like beagles that have boundless energy also have frustration issues. They get aggravated if they are contained or restricted from exercise. This can lead to hyperactivity or even destructive behavior. Finding out exactly what your dog needs to eliminate frustration will help reduce hyperactivity.
Anxiety
Puppies, like humans, can feel stress or anxiety, which may make them more reactive and hyper. They may feel insecure or threatened around larger dogs or animals. The activity will reduce as they gain confidence and become familiar with their surroundings.
Hunger Or Bathroom Needs Aren’t Met
Beagle puppies don’t yet know how to communicate to you when their basic needs aren’t being met. The result is they tear through the house like a hurricane with a high rate of destruction. Before chastising the pup, look to see if they need water, food, or need to go outside for a potty break.
Lack Of Physical Or Mental Stimulation
This is common among young dogs. People will get a puppy but then leave them at home or in a crate while they are at work all day.
A lack of activity will mean the dog will be overhyped once you get home or worse, hyped up while you are away. That can leave a trail of mess in your home. Making sure there are plenty of things around to keep your beagle occupied while you are away or busy will reduce this.
Hyperkinesis
Most beagles are hyperactive simply because they are an active breed. However, there is a condition that can be a root problem for some dogs, although it is rare. It is called hyperkinesis. Hyperkinesis has some distinctive signs that go beyond hyperactivity. Some include:
Rapid heart rate
Rapid breathing
A lot more barking than normal
Aggression
Responds in anxiety to the smallest trigger situation
Tests can be done to confirm whether a beagle has this condition. These kinds of tests typically require a two to three-day stay at a veterinarian’s office. Those at the animal hospital will monitor vitals at various times when the dog is relaxed and when he is stimulated.
Those dogs with this condition will be given supplements like L-theanine, GABA, and Valerian root. They will also be given medications like D-amphetamine, which is also used to treat hyperactivity disorder in humans.
The Best Training Program For Beagles
If you haven’t trained your beagle properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your shepherd has, whether it’s barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
With Brain Training For Dogs, you’ll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog won’t listen, you’ll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and, most importantly, that’s given proven results. Not to mention the fact that you’ll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether they’re going to be well-behaved or not, you’ll only have to worry about how much fun you’ll have with them!
And in most cases, it’s still going to be:
Cheaper than hiring a professional.
Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your beagle completely and never worry whether they’ll be naughty or not. Instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT.
And the best part is it also has a 60-day money-back guarantee! So there’s no reason not to give Brain Training For Dogs a try!
Many ways exist to calm down a hyper beagle, but the solution depends on the problem. Most solutions relate to accommodating their need for physical exercise and mental stimulation.
Get the Pup Out of the House
As long as the puppy has had all his shots for at least two weeks, it is a good idea to get him some outside playtime. Young puppies need a minimum of one hour of outdoor play a day. It shouldn’t be a solid hour but rather three 20-minute sessions with breaks in between.
Outside activities can include walks, running, fetching, or chasing. Good play can be anything that is safe, controlled, and highly active. This may be a good time to introduce your puppy to other dogs.
You can take him to a dog park as long as he plays with other dogs close to his age and size. Social interaction with other canines will do a lot to tire him as well as help your dog gain confidence.
Teach Commands
Every puppy needs a foundation for obedience, and the younger you teach your furry friend commands, the better off you are. Basic commands like sit, stay, wait, and come are always best to start out with. These commands can be learned quickly with treat rewards.
Leash training should start early also as some hyper dogs do not respond well to leashes. While that can take some time, it is rewarding for both you and your dog as you can now go on walks.
Add Challenges
As your puppy grows, you will need to change his play to keep him from learning. This is the time to let him take an agility course or for you to create a safe course on your property where he can run and jump over obstacles. This is a good way to also practice the “sit” and “release” commands.
Using treats to entice play performance is perfectly fine also. Remember, your dog sees this as a game so continue to make it fun.
Enrolling in obedience, sports, nose work, or agility courses are great ways for your dog to safely socialize, improve mental and physical stimulation, and tire them out. They will love the new challenges of the class every week, and classes also train you how to be a better pet owner.
Let Your Beagle Be a Beagle
Beagles have some natural abilities, especially sniffing and tracking. Even those not used in hunting retain these skills as it is built into their DNA. Beagle owners need to allow them to use those skills, or the dog can become frustrated.
Doing nosework with them using treats, indoors or out, and using toys that contain hidden treats are ways your dogs’ noses can be satisfied. These games offer more stimulation and allows a chance for you to bond with your dog too.
Choose Stimulating Toys
Not every dog likes the same toys. Toys are meant to meet different needs, so determine which dog toys best stimulate your beagle and provide the most fun. There are puzzle toys, interactive toys, and other hidden treat toys that make them think. You may consider getting a ball that is too big for them to carry, forcing them to figure out how to get it across the yard.
Give Your Beagle a Task
Beagles are among dog breeds that need to work. They want a responsibility within the family. Things beagles are easily trained to do include being guard dogs, hunting dogs, seeing-eye dogs, and even police dogs. Teaching them a task or skill to use at home when they are young will make them feel more included, be more focused and find fulfillment with a sense of purpose.
Skills that can be a part of training can include waking up the family, guarding the house, finding and protecting children, alerting to humans’ physical health dangers, finding and retrieving objects, and managing other animals.
Create a Space for Them
Every dog likes to have their own space where they feel safe. Create a spot where they can have their bedding and toys that other animals can’t use. This will help them gain confidence and security in the family.
You will also need to train them to use their bed daily as well as train other pets to stay away from that area. This can be a challenge, but the results add routine and rules to the household.
How Long Do Beagles Sleep? (Tips For Improving Sleep)
What To Avoid Doing?
Just as there are things you can do to calm your beagle down, there are also things you may be doing that contribute to hyperactivity and bad behavior. Follow the following guidelines for the best behavioral results for your dog.
Don’t Leave No-No Objects Around Puppies
Knowing that beagles are hyperactive should give pause to what lies around the house. Understand what attracts them and what hidden dangers abound. Things like medications, cleaning products, and foods that are bad for them should be put away out of their domain.
Don’t Have Bad Emotional Reactions Yourself
Dogs rely on how humans respond emotionally to determine their place and security in the family. Those who are chronically in a bad mood, angry, or negative will cause the dog to feel insecure. Also, homes that are filled with yelling and arguing will cause a dog to feel scared and frustrated. All that may result in hyperactivity and bad behavior.
Don’t Feed Your Beagle Junk Food
By vet standards, human food is junk food. Make sure your dog has a nutritious, balanced diet that suits the age. Young puppies and dogs need a high-protein diet to keep up with all their energy levels. Also, provide different types of dog chews, bones, and other things so your dog can release any frustrations.
Don’t Crate Your Beagle
Crating is fine for some breeds, but beagles don’t do well with it. The confinement is frustrating, and they will spend all their time trying to escape, which could lead to injury.
The breed is a hyper breed, so yes, beagles tend to be hyper. Beagle puppies are almost always hyper and tend to get into trouble. However, beagles that are two years old or older are calmer. Senior dogs are more interested in being your companion than physical activity.
Do Beagles Calm Down After Neutering?
Yes, most beagles will calm down after being neutered. Neutering is a good idea if you don’t plan on breeding your dog. This keeps the unwanted animal population down, keeps your dog from wanting to wander off, and decreases health risks, including cancers.
Are Beagles Easy to Train?
Beagles are super smart, so they are easy to train. The best way to train them is with reward incentives. Dog owners should also turn training into a game, so your dog looks forward to it and enjoys time spent with you. Be sure to always offer positive verbal reinforcement rather than negative reactions during training.
Recap
Beagles are some of the smartest dogs around and make great additions to the family. They are loving and fun but do require work as they are hyperactive. Families choosing this breed should have a plan for play, training, and lots of interaction, so both dogs and humans remain happy for years to come.
