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Beagles/Shivering Beagle

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Expert: Have4Paws - 11/5/2009


Question
My 4 year old beagle just this week started shivering uncontrollably.  Usually only at night after our walk.  The weather is cooling down but it's Arizona, it is still in the 80's or 90's, not cool enough for him to be cold.  If they aren't feeling well will they shiver?  He is eating fine, still active, just shivering.

Answer
If it was cold out I would say this might be normal but it would have to be pretty cold for a beagle to shiver. They are pretty well insultaed. The only two things it could be is fear or some type of seizure however it wouldnt make sense for him to have seizures only on walks. So that leaves fear, fear will cause a dog to shake and shiver. Did anything happen recently to spook him, or is there some sound or smell he is afraid of. You are going to have to play detective to figure this out but just a warning, when he is doing this do not pet him, hold him or give him attention because of it. This will reinforce it as a behavior that is desirable which it is not. Also it might be good to take him to the vet for a checkup if he hasnt been in for a while.

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Have4Paws

Expertise

I am happy to answer BEAGLE BREED SPECIFIC behavioral questions. Please DO NOT ask CRATE TRAINING OR MEDICAL questions! I am not a vet nor an expert in the use of crates.

Experience

I currently have one beagle, a male age 4.5, an 9 month old Pit Bull, and a 6 year old min. poodle. I have had to let go of three of my dogs, 2 beagles and 1 whippet/rat terrier mix in the past 4 years, most recently my whippet mix. The two beagles lived to 15 and the whippet mix to 13.5, it has been hard to say goodbye to them. I have done rescue work on and off for years as well as fund-raising for the local animal shelter. I worked for a dog magazine in the past (Southern California Dog Magazine). Being a psychotherapist has encouraged me to do in depth studying of animal behavior as well. I have worked with many people to help curb undesirable behaviors in their dogs (or them!) or to form good behaviors. My life is devoted to and surrounded by my dogs........The picture you see here is Zeppelin but we also call him the "miracle dog". He was hit by a car April 2010 while out with the dog walker and had very serious injuries... 4 surgeries and $17,000 later my boy is whole again and back to loving life. He is so special to me and he weathered a lot of pain and trauma yet is still the sweet boy he always was!

Organizations
HSUS, PETA, SPCA

Publications
Dog Fancy

Education/Credentials
I am a Marriage and Family Therapist licensed in the state of CA and am also credentialed as a Certified Addiction Treatment Specialist

Awards and Honors
Honored by the Agoura Animal Shelter for my volunteer work.

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