Basset hounds are wonderful, adorable dogs. They make great pets, and have very unique personalities, but they can be stubborn with selective memory.
Step 1
Determine whether you have enough time for a basset hound. Bassets take a lot of time to exercise, play, and train. Their "selective memory" can make them difficult to house break.
Step 2
Understand that they can be stubborn and hard to potty train. Although basset hounds are wonderful dogs, they can be stuborn when training. This leads people to think they're stupid, when in reality, they just don't want to do it.
Step 3
Purchase necessary dog supplies. Along with the usual toys, food, leash, you should purchase a crate for crate training. It should be big enough for your basset to sit, stand, lay down, and turn around.
Step 4
Crate train him while housebreaking him. Basset hounds are known for their difficulty to housebreak. It has taken some owners up to 6 months to do it. However, using a crate should be much easier, as you can prevent mistakes by keeping an eye on your pup and immediately moving him outside when he's going to the bathroom.
Step 5
Use positive training with rewards. Basset hounds usually don't learn much from negative training, but if you praise yours for doing right (especially with treats), they should pick up faster on what they need to be doing.
Step 6
Keep your basset hound on lead when going for walks. This breed is not the kind that can be walked without a leash. If your basset hound finds an interesting scent, he WILL run off and your calls will most likely fall on deaf ears.
Step 7
Clean his ears regularly as part of your routine grooming procedure. Grooming your basset hound often is a given, but his ears will need special attention. Check with your vet to make sure you're doing it right.
Step 8
Exercise him daily. Basset hounds, if given the chance, will laze around the house all day, though they do enjoy an occasional romp in the backyard. However, if you let him do this, he will become overweight and unhealthy.
Step 9
Keep him on a feeding schedule. Making sure he eats a healthy diet every day will keep him fit, as he won't be able to pig out whenever he wants.
Step 10
Find something to keep him company when the household leaves. Many basset hounds get separation anxiety, so it's a good idea to try leaving the TV or radio on to keep him company. A kong filled with peanutbutter or treats is also worth trying. Otherwise, he may start barking, howling, and generally annoying your neighbors. If you have the time and money, you could also try getting a second dog.
Tips
- Look for good breeders.
- Use positive reinforcement and treats as well as creative training.
- This breed is generally good around children and other pets.
- Except for the noise, basset hounds are good apartment dogs.
Warnings
- This breed sheds a lot.
- Their voices can carry very far and may irritate neighbors.
- Don't try walking without a leash.
- This breed becomes overweight easily without proper care. If this happens, make sure your dog loses weight. Check with a vet to learn what a healthy weight range for a basset hound is.
