what do you do with a depressed bassethound?

Answer 1

give it a spa day

Answer 2

Send it for a lab test. LOL

Seriously though you need to identify why your Basset is depressed?
Is it due to a traumatic incident?
Is it suffering from separation anxiety (children leaving home/death in the family)?
Are you feeling depressed or grief-stricken and your dog is picking up your mood?
Or has your Basset always worried and fretted?

Some of the symptoms of dog depressions are:
Excessive barking
Lethargy
Anxiety/nervousness
Destructive behavior
Forgetfulness of house training
Weight loss/gain
Sulking or even aggression
Change in personality
Increased clinginess and attachment
Loss of appetite

Is your dog showing most of these above signs?

If your dog is depressed there are a variety of pet drugs on the market that can help your dog. Discuss those with your vet.

The best thing you can do is to give your dog an interest in life.
If you have a single dog get another one as companion for your Basset. Dogs are pack animals and companionship is important.

Give your Basset lots of attention and discipline - if a dog knows their position in the home hierarchy they are more confident and secure.

If someone has moved out of the house try not to make any other changes to the home environment.

Regular exercise will help to keep your pet healthy and fit, barking at other dogs on walks perks up dogs no end.

Answer 3

Take him to the vet to make sure it's not a physical problem. If it's not, try providing more mental and physical activitiesfor your dog. Buy a Kong or Buster Cube (plastic treat-dipensing puzzles) and fill it with Fido's meal when you're away.

Spend more "cuddle time" together and provide more exercise - the dog breed "Paws to Consider" reminds us that "Basset Hounds are big dogs on small legs." What about trying recreational tracking or another dog sport, such as carting, agility, or obedience? Or even just walk your dog more often. Since your dog is a scent hound, try some scent games. Hide a small treat somewhere in a room and let him in to sniff it out.

Maybe your dog just needs to get out more. If she's used to a quiet neighborhood, try taking her to a dog park, dog-friendly beach, or even outside a shopping center to get plenty oof socialization.

Answer 4

Take him for more walks and show him more attention. That is usually what dogs want --- lots, and lots, and lots of attention. The walks will pick up his spirits because natural sunshine is a great anti-depressant since it releases seratonin.

If you don't have time, find a really good doggie daycare in your area where he can play with other dogs of his general size. This way he will get more exercise (always good) and even socialized better.

Good luck and give your pooch a big smooch for me.

Answer 5

Poor little hound dog!!! Take him to a dog park or on a walk. Bassets need lots of exercise and that should help him/her get out of the dumps. Does your pup have any toys? How about a cow's ear from the pet store? Being outside will give your pup a scent to follow which is what they love to do(my Basset, Bubba, loves to smell!). If you have any other Basset ?'s, feel free to message me.

Answer 6

Find something he likes and enjoys to do. Either take a walk in the park, or go play with a frisbee outside. Maybe find him some new treats and a trip to Petsmart? You could take him to the vet and ask about other options. Long story short, my dentist has a terrier mix who has very bad anxiety and has to be on medication, like people! I don't know.. maybe it will work?

Answer 7

Take the dog to a vet and get the dog checked out first. If there's no apparent problem physically, take the dog to a trainer.

Answer 8

Find it a basset hound of the opposite sex.

Answer 9

Find a sex partner for you dog. He or she probably needs one right now...

Answer 10

You should play with it, get him a friend, and give him a rawhide bone.