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Beagles/belly crawling

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Expert: - 5/1/2010


Question
Hi there,
I have a beagle pup just coming up to 6 months old. Please can you tell me if it is normal behaviour for her to be crawling about on her belly. She crawl along the hallway pulling herself on her front legs and has done since we got her at 12 weeks. It is hilarious and she is nicknamed "sniper girl" but I just want to check this is normal behaviour and nothing more serious.
Many thanks in advance

Answer
My apologies for not answering sooner, my 4 year old beagle was hit by a car and I have had my hands full so havent been on line until now. He will be ok but it will be a long haul.....

Yes,this is totally normal behavior, I had a male beagle who did this his whole life. I think it is a way of scratching their bellies or they just like the sensation of it. My only caveat would be if you were to notice weakness in her legs at all, unsteadiness etc then obviously you would need to get straight to the vet. Good luck with your little sniper girl, she sounds delicious!  :)

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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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