grumpy beagle

Question
My beagle, Simon, is almost three years old and has been getting more and more grumpy lately. He usually gets grumpy and growls when he is cozy and does not want to be bothered, or when there is food involved. He never used to be this way until about six months ago... Does it have something to do with his anal glands? I try to have them cleared about once a month and thought that was the original cause of his attitude, but now he gets snippy at least once a day! I love him like a child but am afraid if i don't find a solution to the problem soon he will be much worse in the future and not safe around my future children... can you please give me some suggestions? I am not willing to give up on my beagle boy! He is my little angel :) Thank you

Answer
Sorry to the delay, system down for a week. This behavior has othing whatsoever to do with his anal glands. This is aggressive/dominant behavior and when it occurs with food involved it is is called foog aggression. This is a sign that he is not seeing you as the Alpha. The underlings in a pack would never challenge or growl or anything like being snippy, or nippy. You are ocrrect that this behavior needs to be curbed ASAP as it does escalalate when left unchecked and can become full blown aggression. I would recommend you seek out the services of a trainer who can come to your house for a couple session. Email traiing for aggression doesnt work and can be dangerous as if it isnt done right it can inadevertently reinforce bad behavior. Simon will be glad to give up his role of ALPHA and follow you the ALPHA instead, get some help asap.