Beagles are generally amiable dogs who will lavish their affection on their master. They enjoy cuddling, playing, kissing, and napping on their master’s lap.
However, just as humans have distinct personalities, dogs do as well. Not all Beagles will display affection; some may enjoy cuddling, and others may dislike physical contact. It varies from one individual to another.
It is possibly due to a negative experience and a triggering and complex relationship with their owner.
The remarkable aspect is that you may regain their trust by demonstrating affection. We’ve compiled a list of techniques for you to assist your Beagle in becoming affectionate.
Are Beagles not affectionate?
Beagles are cheerful, caring, and loving dog breeds. Even AKC has counted them under friendly dog breeds. They are referred to as curious and upbeat dogs.
Beagles will shower their love once they form a bond with you. They will follow you, cuddle you, and give you slobber kisses when you are off to bed.
Generally, they are affectionate dogs. But, like every individual is different, some Beagles may show you a lot of love, and others may not.
Beagles will give love to anybody and anything. They will treat your pals the same way they treat strangers.
But again, it depends on each individual.
7 Reasons Why Your Beagle Is Not Showing Affection
There are multiple reasons why your pup is not showing affection, and it can be because of lack of socialization, past traumatic experiences, and many more. Let’s cut the chase and quickly learn things deeper.
1. Poor Socialization
Lack of social skills can make your Beagle a little awkward if you don’t teach them early. It can be difficult for them to handle any situation.
Socialization teaches your little pup how to respond to the world healthily, without fear or hostility.
I do not mean socialization means meeting with other dog friends and your friends. But, I suggest that you should also include exposure to a variety of scents, noises, and circumstances.
2. Sensitivity To Touch
Maybe your Beagle may entertain you when you touch him lightly on his forehead or rub his chin. But, he may not like the soothing touch near his feet and legs.
It is because they are frequently self-conscious about their physical appearance. If anyone touches Beagle, including their master, they become uncomfortable and aggressive.
Please desensitize touching when they are young puppies. It will help them grasp things quickly and accept the change.
You can teach your Beagle not to get uncomfortable by touching by following the steps below.
Step 1: Touch your Beagle on the head for two seconds, very softly. (At first, his response will be delayed as he adjusts to the more extended period, but it will most likely return fast)
Step 2: Feed him multiple treats in fast progression as your touches get longer.
Step 3: Remember to stop giving him treats when the touch controls.
Step 4: Make sure the session ends before one of you or both of you becomes bored, restless, stressed, or frustrated. You can always schedule another session for later that day or the following day.
Step 5: Eventually, you can later move your hands to his back, neck, stomach, and near his legs.
Step 6: Keep practicing for a month and so. I promise you will succeed.
3. Mistreatment From Previous Owners
In the case of adopted Beagles, there is a higher possibility that if they are not affectionate towards the owner, they might have had a bad experience in the past.
Your Beagle might have an abusive caretaker who may be used to hitting him or shouting at him. All this can cause trauma, and they can become fragile and possibly fail to understand what love is.
Well, that isn’t very good. If this is the case, your Beagle will not trust humans easily and quickly get afraid and anxious.
Such canines are deserving of all of the love and attention that the world has to offer. If you could be patient with them, it would be ideal.
Therefore, make sure that you earn their trust and demonstrate the meaning of love.
4. Fear Of Any Kind
Another reason why Beagles is not affectionate towards you could be because of pain, anxiety, and fear.
Beagles who are afraid of other dogs have a hard time trusting them. They are apprehensive about approaching people.
Beagles can be afraid for various reasons, including poor past experiences, mistreatment by former owners, or lack of socialization.
5. Personality
As every human has unique nature, likewise every Beagle may not have some temperament. Fondness, love, and attachment is prevalent attribute among Beagles, but it doesn’t mean that everyone has them all.
While the majority of Beagles are affectionate and cuddle-friendly, at the same time, some cute Beagles do not show affection to their master, which is also okay.
6. Beagle May Not Feel Well
If your Beagle dramatically stops showering love towards you, then there is a higher possibility that they are not feeling well, sick, or might be injured.
Therefore, make sure you always keep an eye on their health. Beagles suffering from injuries or illnesses may become exhausted and uninterested in other activities.
If this is the case, you should speak to your veterinarian and examine your dog.
7. Personal Space
Some Beagles may not like to share their personal space. Physical proximity isn’t for everyone. Petting, physical closeness, and snuggling are all viewed differently by animals and humans alike. And the way dogs cuddle differs from one dog to the next.
How To Make Beagles More Affectionate?
It’s okay if your Beagle is not affectionate towards you. Everyone has a different personality, and dogs can have it too.
In the case of Beagles, you can increase affection level. Want to know how? Well, then read this section.
Let us get started. It all begins with trust, and you have to be faithful towards your Beagle. If you fail to maintain trust, then practicing affection could be difficult.
Ensure they get all of a dog’s fundamental needs, such as daily food, water, exercise, everything on time.
Not just that, please ensure providing a safe and pleasant environment and enough care and attention. These are the key to being trustworthy in Beagle’s eyes.
Would you mind ensuring your Beagle that you will always be there for him no matter what? Make sure that you will not leave him whenever he is under the weather, and he will always have safety and security whenever he is around you.
These little things play a vital role in gaining trust and establishing pure bonds and affection.
Next, you can use rewards also to create a strong bond. Rewards and praise always work. You can offer him a treat if he comes to you and sits on your lap, when he follows your order, or when he comes to snuggle you.
Remember, initially, they must get a reward for every little sign of affection. It will help them to learn things fast. Later, once they understand you can stop giving the treat.
You can also use your praises physically and verbally. For instance, you can say good boy and his name along with that. As a reward, if your Beagle is sitting or doing something that you are training him to do, like staying for five minutes. That time you can reward him with just affection.
Affection is the greatest reward that a dog can get from you, and that’s how you can express to them that you love them!
It’s a sign of gentle communication, affection that you are petting your Beagle.
You can feed them food with your hands; it will teach them that your hands are a place of love. It will lead that your hands are going to provide good things.
Another piece that ties right into building trust is training your Beagle to do different things, whether to teach them to lay down command or stay on their bed command. Or to teach them to do things a certain way. It will build trust between you both. Repeating these little exercises will increase his trust in you.
Remember to practice this daily because practice is the key to success.
Conclusion
Beagles are gregarious dogs who adore their owner, but not all Beagles are the same. Some canines may react aggressively to physical contact; this could be because they had an unpleasant connection with their previous owner or simply because they dislike getting touched.
It could be a little upsetting if your Beagle does not demonstrate love because who doesn’t want a pet who loves to cuddle them and is not fond of them.
We’ve covered how to create trust, communicate your love, and much more in this article. You can read it above.
We’d love to hear about your praise and affection for Beagle training stories in the comments section below.
Dr. Aram Baker has been with Santa Clarita Animal Hospital since 1995 and his special interests include behaviour medicine and dermatology. He graduated from the Cleveland Humanities Magnet Program in Reseda, CA and attended California State University at Northridge where he received a Bachelor’s degree in biology. He went on to pursue his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at the University of California at Davis. He also spent time in the zoological medicine department at U.C. Davis during his Junior and Senior years. He is dedicated to caring for all pets big or small, young or old with compassion, patience, kindness, and love.