Separation anxiety in Beagles is nothing more than restless behavior your dog exhibits when you or any other family member they love is not around. This behavior can be either long term or short term, so we can distinguish mild and severe separation anxiety.
If you want to know signs of separation anxiety, reasons behind it, and how to end this behavior, keep on reading.
9 Signs Of Separation Anxiety In Beagles
Wonder if your Beagle is suffering from separation anxiety? Then, you’ll need to look for these signs.
Barking
Excessive barking when you’re not around, including whining, and especially howling are usually the first signs your Beagle is having issues with separation anxiety.
Dogs are vocal beings, and they usually communicate by barking. It’s their way of saying they want something. In this case, it’s their owner.
Destructive Behavior
Teeth marks on your new coffee table… Scratch marks on the front door… Knocked over lamps and dirt from the house plants everywhere… Is this a day-to-day scenario in your home? Then, your dog is experiencing separation anxiety, and he does all these things because he believes it will bring you back.
Eating Poop
Recently, PupVine did a piece on why German Shepherds eat poop. You should check it out. The same applies to Beagles. All dogs eat poop for the same reasons… one of them being separation anxiety.
I know… gross!
Potty Training Regression
Potty regression is something quite common with dogs experiencing anxious behavior when you’re not there.
Beagles that begin to poop and pee inside the house all of a sudden might be under a lot of stress. And, when they’re under stress, their bladder does not work properly. The high amounts of adrenaline might not allow them to hold it in until you get home.
Pacing Around
Pacing, panting, running in circles, jumping on the furniture… It’s not because your dog is bad. It’s because he’s feeling restless, thanks to all that accumulated anxiety.
The levels of stress with dogs that can’t stand their owner leaving the house can be super high. Some pups even experience high body temperature out of nowhere!
Lack Of Appetite
A clear sign that something’s wrong with your Beagle is his absence of appetite.
Beagles are pretty food motivated. They will bend over backwards to get some yummy treats. If you leave out some snacks for your dog while you’re not there, or have the automatic feeder on, chances are the food will stay intact.
Separation anxiety could kick in so hard that your Beagle will lose interest in food and water, and that can be dangerous.
Clinginess
It’s one thing for your Beagle to demand love and cuddles, but it’s a whole other thing to demand it all the time. Clingy behavior and velcro dog syndrome are obvious signs of separation anxiety.
Beagles get attached to their owner rather quickly, so acting clingy when their loved one returns is pretty common. This behavior is manifested in following you around, asking for attention, and never leaving your side for a second… not even if you go to the bathroom.
Anxious Behavior
Dogs with separation anxiety are anxious all the time, especially before you leave the house. Your dog will pick up your day-to-day routine, and will notice what you do before you head out.
Normally, the sound of keys, getting your coat on, and grabbing a bag signal a dog you will be gone for a while. As soon as your dog notices you reaching out for these items, he will exhibit signs of restlessness.
Depression
Lastly, depression is the worst-case scenario.
Depression is what your Beagle might get if you don’t treat his separation anxiety. This is a severe condition that could lead to lethargic behavior, lack of energy, interest in anything, as well as total absence of appetite.
It’s extremely difficult to pull a dog out of depression, so don’t even gamble with it.
7 Reasons Of Separation Anxiety In Beagles
Sure, there are many more reasons why your Beagle could experience separation anxiety, but these are the most common ones.
1. The Absence Of Training
Training. Training. Training. And… training!
I can’t stress enough how important training is for your Beagle. These dogs must be trained into obeying their humans; otherwise, they might lose control.
No, I’m not saying Beagles might become aggressive. They might become a handful and overwhelming, so better have them trained. Pay special attention to separation training. More on that soon.
2. Not Enough Exercises
Beagles love exercising and playing with their humans. While they don’t need strenuous workouts, they still should have an hour or so of exercise.
When a dog doesn’t exercise enough, or doesn’t do it regularly, the accumulated energy might turn into built up stress that could lead to anxious feelings.
3. Change Of The Routine
Dogs remind me a lot of babies and toddlers. They all like their routine, and any change of it might get them upset.
Even the slightest adjustments, such as changing the walk time from 10 to 15 minutes, can disturb them. Oh, and not to mention big changes like switching to another apartment, or changing their own items like their bed or the food brand they’re eating.
Anything new happening could trigger stress and cause your Beagle to respond with anxious behavior.
4. Death Of Family Members
Beagles are quite sociable dogs. They love living in big families, even if they have dogs or other pets present. Beagles will think of them as their pack members. Naturally, when a pack member dies, it’s grief for the entire family.
Dogs are quite sensitive when it comes to that matter, especially if it’s their person. If a Beagle’s favorite person (even a cat buddy) passes away, he will get extremely sad and upset. It’s not uncommon to develop separation anxiety and attach themselves to the next person.
5. Crate Training Issues
Crates are very helpful if you’re leaving the house every day for a couple of hours. Your dog will learn his boundaries and get used to the space he can call his own. When a dog like the Beagle gets to have the entire house for himself, it can be pretty overwhelming.
So, instead of having them roam around the house looking for you, better have them crate trained. Crates are a place where they can relax and snooze as much as they want until you come back.
Of course, pick a decent size, and don’t let your dog in when you don’t have to or he might start hating the crate.
6. Background Problems
Dogs from shelters or dogs coming from suspicious backgrounds where the breeder or the owner didn’t care for their needs could get separation anxiety.
Once you taste the good stuff, you’ll be afraid that it might go away, right? Well, the same thing can apply to a rescue Beagle. Once he gets to see how a good life can be to him, he will get frightened when his new favorite person leaves for a while.
7. Physical Punishments
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for people to punish dogs for doing something wrong. In most cases, those dogs either run away, become aggressive, or get rescued by organizations. A significant number of retired hunting Beagles have experienced this, too.
Still, trauma remains, and it takes lots of time to shake it off. Some dogs, sadly, don’t manage it. Separation anxiety in Beagles is actually a mild response to physical punishment. A rescue Beagle could have other, bigger problems like biting, aggression, or depression.
This is another reason why a dog must never be punished physically!
5 Ways Of How To Address Separation Anxiety In Beagles
These are only five of the most common ways to treat separation anxiety in Beagles. Check them out!
Train Them To Stay Alone
Training your Beagle to stay or sit calmly until you return to the room is the #1 solution you should (and must) try.
Beagles are food-motivated. They will follow your commands once they realize you have treatos waiting for them.
Command your dog to stay, and then leave the room. If he’s still staying there when you return, he can get the treat. If not, repeat this until he masters the situation.
This will teach your dog to remain calm when you’re not there.
Mental Stimulation
I feel like a parrot for repeating how important mental stimulation is. Your Beagle is a super curious dog, and he must be stimulated mentally on a daily basis. While they might not be the brightest bulbs on the tree, Beagles are still smart enough.
Bring them puzzle games and toys that will make their little gray cells work hard to get a treat afterwards. For other ways to entertain your dog while you’re at work, click here.
Doggy Day Care
Even if it may sound silly, enrolling your dog into doggy day care (just like a kid) could bring so many benefits to your dog. Your pup will spend time with his buddies, and be surrounded by people who care for his needs, instead of being locked inside the house all day.
If the doggy day care is too much for you, or simply not available in your area, at least get someone to walk him while you’re not there.
Get A Doggy Camera
Lately, I’ve been seeing lots of people using doggy cameras installed in their home. Simply put… you install the camera, maybe a fancy one with a monitor so you can see your dog anytime you want, and your dog can see you.
In most cases, these cameras will help you more than your dog because you’ll be able to see what your dog does all day, and how long he can stay alone before he crosses the line.
Get Another Dog
It’s a legit solution: get another dog, preferably another Beagle!
Beagles are incredibly sweet and friendly dogs. They will get along with pretty much any pet, but a member of their own pack is the ideal solution. Your Beagle won’t be bored or feel alone. He would have a friend that will make the hours he spends alone feel like minutes.
Final Words
Separation anxiety in Beagles happens a lot. These friendly dogs are super attached to their family and owner, and they don’t really like to stay alone at home.
The reasons for this condition are numerous. However, we’ve managed to list the most common ones, as well as signs of anxiety and how to deal with it.
I sincerely hope you won’t need the advice I gave you. But, in case you’re here looking for some, then I hope you’ll find them helpful, and your Beagle will shake off the separation anxiety quickly.
Read Next: 11 Reasons Why Beagles Are The Worst Dogs You Can Have