Beagle Separation Anxiety

Beagles are pack animals like all dogs. They aren't meant to be left alone. Beagles can get very anxious, very depressed and quite destructive when they are left to themselves.

When you have a full schedule that doesn't allow for proper time to be with your Beagle, it is very likely that he is suffering from seperation anxiety. Most likely he isn't having loads of fun out of his life. Beagles suffer from this more so than other breeds. This is due to them being more affectionate and needing more of your time.

But What Is Seperation Anxiety Really?

All breeds of dogs can be afflicted with separation anxiety. Especially those dogs that have had some sort of trama in their early parts of their lives. Good examples of this are when dogs are dumped and left to fend for themselves. Or when a dog thinks that he has a home only, he is given away to someone else because his owner doesn't want him anymore.

The poor dog can't tell if or when you are coming back for him. He thinks that his pack has left him. This results in him feeling scared, alone and very unhappy. Often, his only outlet, since he can't see a shrink is to start tearing things up. Those things will be your things.

Dogs that suffer anxiety attacks will show some signs. They can include the following.

* Whining, trembling or crying.

* Chewing on things that you don't want them to. Digging, barking repeatedly, even biting themselves or pulling out their own fur.

* Pooing and peeing at strange places or times.

* Excess salivating. This may not include breeds that are naturally inclined to drool.

* Getting underfoot and staying there constantly. Stressed dogs tend to attach themselves to your hip.

But Why?

Often puppies are taken from their mothers way too early. Instead of the normal 8 to 10 weeks of age, puppies are taken from the litter at 4 to 5 weeks. This is usually the case when puppy mills are involved.

In the case of pet stores, the puppies generally sold when they reach the age of 10 to 15 weeks old. This is when they are the most cute and able to get around. But from the time that they arrive at the pet store, until they hopefully get taken home by someone, they are pawed and mauled, poked and prodded. And that is by the visitors to the store and the employees of the store.

Plus they are confined in a very small cage, either jambed in with too many other pups or all by themselves with no one to be with. Often they don't get enough play time or real love. This can bring on severe loneliness and depression. Feelings that can stay with them and affect them for the rest of their lives.

If there has been some event that has traumatized the pup early in his life, such as abuse or abandonment or even a series of new owners, this can be extremely upsetting to the little guy. They can get very confused which can lead to Beagle separation anxiety.