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Beagles/My beagle shivers and get very tense

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Expert: - 1/30/2011


Question
I recently adopted a 3 year old beagle who was wandering around. I realized very quickly that whenever it would rain that his demeanor changed. His forehead would tense up and wrinkle, his body would contract and in those contractions he would shiver and he wouldn't respond to any of my calls or commands. Also, when it rained harder, he would start panting heavily. I assumed this was due to some traumatic rainstorm he may have experienced and now, 8 months later this does not happen often. Recently, he began doing it and the weather has been fine... clear and dry. My question is this: could this be some form of seizure? I know not to praise, rub, or call to him as it is not acceptable behavior but what SHOULD i do?
Thank you,
concerned beagle owner

Answer
Hi thanks for writing............My only suggestion is to take him to the vet if you want to rule out any possible seizure disorder, it is not probable based onthe symptoms but you would want to be sure. I suggest you get the book

Dogs Behaving Badly: An A-Z Guide to Understanding and Curing Behavorial Problems in Dogs, there is a chapter on desensitization which should be helpful, It is written by Nicholas Dodman, DVM who is a world renowned vet and behavioralist

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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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