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Topic of the Month | New Beagle Breed Information
Separation Stress VS Separation Anxiety with Beagles
Most of you have heard about Separation Anxiety, this is when your Beagle has a difficult time being left home alone by themselves. It can happen while you are at work or even if you are gone for a few hours. However, this topic is to discuss Separation Stress.
Separation Stress is when a Beagle reacts very badly to being without you for 2 or more days.
This most often occurs when owners go on vacation. And unlike Separation Anxiety, this will happen even when the dog is with other people…even people that they know, such as relatives, friends or neighbors.
Let’s take a look at this issue to learn more about how a Beagle can feel and the steps that an owner can take to understand…and to help.
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How This Affects Your DogSeparation Stress can happen in a new environment such as a Doggie Hotel or kennel…but it also can happen where you would least expect it…A dog may have a very difficult time at a friend or family member’s house….A house that they have been to before AND with people that they are used to. Why does this happen? Because the 1 thing that will be missing from the picture is YOU…and it will be for a long enough time for them to really notice.
When a dog is suffering from Separation Stress they may act out in a number of ways…it all depends on the particular dog.
Some may revert back quite a bit and act as if they have no idea what house training is (to be fair, the stress, if not dealt with properly can cause a dog to become confused about house training issues & we deal with that ahead)….The dog can also begin to act out with negatives behaviors such as chewing furniture, ripping as clothing or shoes, etc.
A dog may also become aggressive. This surprises many people, because they do not immediately connect aggression with Separation Stress. However, a Beagle can begin to feel very vulnerable without their owner around…and those people that you thought your dog was used to are starting to look more and more like strangers every day to your dog, as the reality that you are gone sinks in….
And in this vulnerable state a dog can then become aggressive….Just as some do when they are injured and feeling vulnerable.
So, we will discuss what owners AND dog sitters can do to help a dog with this type of stress…AND some steps that both can take to prevent this in the 1st place.
What the Owner Should Bring to the Doggie Sitter’s Home
There are some items that should most certainly be brought to the doggie sitter’s home if your Beagle is going to be watched at a friend or family member’s house instead of at your own home:
1. Clothes worn by the owner with the owner's scent on them. These can then be placed in the Beagle's sleeping area, resting area and the main room where the Beagle plays during the day.
2. All of the Beagle's favorite toys. If not, the Beagle may be missing his/her favorite toy(s) almost as much as they miss their owner. A dog can become very attached to objects.
3. The Beagle's food and water bowls.
4. The food and snacks that the Beagle normally eats. Not only will most Beagle fret over a change in food, but it can be dangerous to make a quick change.
5. For Beagle who take the separation hard, a voice recording of the owner. This is similar to the idea of playing a radio in the background for Beagle who have Separation Anxiety. For Beagle who have Separation Stress, hearing the calming voice of their owner can be of great help.
Creating a Calming Environment
This is an important aspect of giving care and before an owner leaves their Beagle with a doggie sitter, they should discuss these rules with the sitter to make sure that everyone is in agreement. If it helps, print this out to show to the sitter.
A Beagle that is in a strange home or even a home that they are used to (but only when their owner is by their side) can become very stressed....And it is important to keep the house calm and happy.
TV's and stereos should not be played at high volumes. A note should be left on the front door asking visitors to quietly knock as opposed to ringing the doorbell. All member of the household should be in agreement to not yell...this is not just regarding arguments...For example, it may be normal for someone who has cooked dinner to yell out "DINNER TIME!!!" when the meal is ready. While babysitting, everyone should keep their voices light, calm and happy.
Food and water should be placed in the same area that the Beagle is used to in his/her own home. For example, if their food is always in the back right corner of the kitchen at home, it should be placed in the back right corner of the babysitter's kitchen. This goes for other important objects as well, such as their doggie bed, toy box, etc.
Their schedule should be the same. For example, if the owner routinely took the Beagle for a walk at 10 am, followed up with play time at 11, grooming at noon and then lunch at 1, this should be followed as closely as possible.
When talking to the Beagle, voices should be light, cheerful and calm...This is in both good times and bad...For example, if the dog has an accident one must not act upset. After all, accidents should be expected as the house has a different setup and if the Beagle is not taken out quite a bit, he or she may be a bit confused about which door to scratch or who to go to in order to give the signal that they must go outside.
Body language is just as important as voice. A Beagle will read everyone's body language and will be able to know if a person is angry, frustrated or upset even if the words that they speak say differently.
"Woof, aahhh-ouhhh...rufff, rrrr...grrr, umphf!" Translation: "Hi! Before you finish reading this, if you like what you've read so far and think it's interesting....And if you like this website, please share it before you read on!"
Distraction
While a Beagle is missing their owner(s), it can help if the babysitter distracts them throughout the day in order to get their mind on something other than missing their owner and home.
This can be done by introducing fun new toys to the dog. Toys that are colorful (remember, dogs CAN see color) and are very different than the ones that they already have are best. For example, if their favorite toy is a stuffed bunny, adding a stuffed bear will not make that much of a difference. However, if they do not yet have a clothed Frisbee or perhaps a dog toy with a hidden compartment for a snack, this will go over much better and gain their attention.
Things Better Left Undone
If someone will be babysitting for only a few days to a week or so, some things can wait until an owner gets home. This especially includes grooming elements. Many Beagles will not take kindly to someone other than their owner when it comes to clipping nails, giving a bath or working out tangles from the coat. Those things can most certainly wait a week or so until the owner gets back. If a nail trimming is due, the owner should make sure to do this before leaving the dog with the sitter. Any grooming needs should be taken care of before the owner leaves. With a Beagle needing a bath only about every 3 weeks or so, this should not be an issue unless the dog runs through a mud puddle.
Before the Owner Leaves
Whether the Beagle has been to the house before, or is going to experience the babysitter’s home for the first time, the owner should take time to lead the Beagle around the house. Even if he or she has visited before, they may not have seen or paid attention to all of the rooms. While the owner is still present, the Beagle should be given a tour of the home and of the yard, particularly the areas outside where they will be brought to go to the bathroom and the area for play.
When the owner leaves, while there will be strong urges to hug and kiss the Beagle for an hour in anticipation of leaving and missing him or her...It is best for the dog if leaving is NOT a big event. If an owner makes a big deal about leaving, the dog will think "Maybe this IS a big deal !" or " Is my owner NOT coming back???".
However, if an owner gives a quick pat and quietly leaves, the Beagle will be less likely to worry about those things. Without a strong concept of days and time, a Beagle can be on day 3 and still feel as if it is day 1. Note: ONLY if the Beagle is displaying Separation Stress should the voice recording of the owner be played in an attempt to calm him or her down.
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