Expert: Have4Paws - 5/26/2009

Question
We have a 10 month old beagle (Louie).  He is a good dog in alot of ways.  My husband recently switched his shift and now he is left alone for about 10 hours a day.  He is left in our big fenced backyard with the back door to the garage opened so he can go in or out.  He has been chewing on everything from eating flip flops (3 pairs this week), bike seats,  wet vac hose, air compressor hose, to everyones socks and underwear. My husband is at his wits end with it.  I on the other hand do not want to get rid of him he is great with our 2 small kids and they love him.  He recently has been neutered and has an electric fence so when we are home he runs the entire yard.  I try to walk him but he pulls so bad.  What should we do from here?  Will the chewing ever stop?!?!?!?

Answer
Hi Karrie, sorry to hear about this. Based on what you told me and the 10 hours he is left alone I am certain that this is a combination of separation anxiety and boredom. Any dog will become destructive under the same circumstances and beagles being pack animals crave interaction with other beings, whether canine or human. They are hard-wired to need to be in a group situation.  The chewing is anxiety driven, he is trying to find a way to relieve himself of the anxiety. Even if you were to provide a room that was empty and nothing could be chewed he would then begin to find other ways, perhaps chew himself, chase his tail, howl all day etc. This is a direct message that he is very unhappy while alone. Beagles especially have a tough time going solo as I said above.

Is there anyway to come home at lunch or are you able to hire someone to come and walk him once a day. If you add up all the damage he has done and will most likely continue to do as well as vet bills when he eats somthing that is dangerous for him, it would be cheaper in the long run to get a dog walker and much healthier for him. I personally had to do this 7 months ago when I went back to work full-time and my 2 yr old beagle was shredding the furniture and he even has 3 other dogs to be with! He had severe sep. anxiety because I had been home since we had gotten him. Two weeks into the dog walker coming, all destruction stopped. It is worth every dollar I pay for my sanity and his well-being.

The last thing I want to add is that at 10 months he is DRIVEN to chew as he is getting his molars so combine all the items and he is destined to end up doing things you won't like. My worry always is that an owner will then give up the dog to a shelter or whatever because of the issues but it really isnt his fault.

As far as the pulling when you walk him get a "Haltie", "Gentle Leader", Canny COllar", or an "Illusion collar". Any of these will cure the pulling as they change the way the leash controls them and provide you with more control. This one at least is any easy one to fix. ANd by the way, you can NEVER walk a beagle too much.....

I hope this is all helpful and feel free to check back any time!