Like any breed of dog, Beagles can be stressed or fearful about other animals, objects, and even environments. We expect a lot out of our dogs when it comes to putting up with our crazy human lives. It’s important to make sure your Beagle is properly desensitized to things in your life. A big part of this is knowing when your Beagle is not comfortable so you can address the issue. Letting it go will just make matters worse. The following are five signs to watch for that your Beagle is stressed.
#1 – Whale Eye
“Whale eye” is when the white in your dog’s eye – around the iris – is visible. Sometimes, the eye may actually bulge out if your Beagle is very stressed. With their short hair and prominent nose, this is an easy thing to see on a Beagle.
#2 – Whining & Barking
Beagles love to bark, whine and bay. It is important to learn your Beagle’s sounds, so you can tell if he is worried or stressed about something. If your dog is pacing while whining, barking or baying, he is probably worried about something. Or, he may be sitting and whining (for example, in a dog obedience class that he finds overwhelming). It’s important to realize that if your Beagle is reactive (barks at things), he may actually be fearful and not aggressive.
#3 – Furrowed Brow
Since Beagles are short-haired, you can look for “worry lines” on their face. Like us, dogs will wrinkle their brow when worried.
#4 – Won’t Eat
Another sign of stress your Beagle may display is an unwillingness to eat. Whether you are training or just offering him his meal, a stressed dog often won’t eat. Or, they may eat but take the food very hard and may even accidentally bite you. In both cases, your Beagle is most likely anxious about something.
#5 – Cowering
One of the most obvious and universally understood signs of stress and fear is cowering. Your Beagle may try to run and hide under or behind things – even if they are on-leash. This is a dangerous situation. If your Beagle cannot escape, some will resort to aggression to get the object that is scaring them away (fear aggression).
