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Beagles/grumpy beagle

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Expert: - 3/29/2010


Question
My beagle, Simon, is almost three years old and has been getting more and more grumpy lately. He usually gets grumpy and growls when he is cozy and does not want to be bothered, or when there is food involved. He never used to be this way until about six months ago... Does it have something to do with his anal glands? I try to have them cleared about once a month and thought that was the original cause of his attitude, but now he gets snippy at least once a day! I love him like a child but am afraid if i don't find a solution to the problem soon he will be much worse in the future and not safe around my future children... can you please give me some suggestions? I am not willing to give up on my beagle boy! He is my little angel :) Thank you

Answer
Sorry to the delay, system down for a week. This behavior has othing whatsoever to do with his anal glands. This is aggressive/dominant behavior and when it occurs with food involved it is is called foog aggression. This is a sign that he is not seeing you as the Alpha. The underlings in a pack would never challenge or growl or anything like being snippy, or nippy. You are ocrrect that this behavior needs to be curbed ASAP as it does escalalate when left unchecked and can become full blown aggression. I would recommend you seek out the services of a trainer who can come to your house for a couple session. Email traiing for aggression doesnt work and can be dangerous as if it isnt done right it can inadevertently reinforce bad behavior. Simon will be glad to give up his role of ALPHA and follow you the ALPHA instead, get some help asap.

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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 5, an 12 month old Pit Bull, and a 8 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 5 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! I also work to stop Breed Specific Legislation and help to get pit bulls adopted.

Organizations
HSUS, PETA, SPCA DONT SHOP...ADOPT!!

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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