Questions about Basset hounds...any answers?

Question

A friend of my husband gave us a basset hound about two weeks ago. THIS DOG EATS CONSTANTLY!!! Food that is not canned (ANY type) must be put up on the top two shelves of the pantry or she will get to it. Nothing I've tried has broken her from this. I don't know if I'm just not feeding her enough or if this is a breed trait. I feed her two cups of Ol Roy Lamb and Rice dog food twice a day, and two dog treats a day.
Also, I've heard that this breed has a tendency to wander, so at night we keep her in the screened in porch, but I'm kinda tired of cleaning up doggy poo every morning (another "no matter how hard I try" thing-she goes out everynight before bed, but still craps at night) How can I stop this? And she doesn't seem to wander off during the day, but should I take the chance of leaving her out at night? Any suggestions?

The dog is 8 years old, so I'm not sure if crating is an option.

Answer 1

How old is the dog?

Basset hounds are clever thieves, and some of them are devoted to figuring out ways to get at your food. They are determined, persistent, inventive, and more agile than they look. I have one who is 11 and thinks nothing of climbing up obstacles onto the kitchen counter.

Here she is getting into trouble at the grooming shop...

http://photos.imageevent.com/freenite/miriamsphotos/miscpicsandvideo/websize/rainbowdoorwalk.jpg

Here is her granddaughter on the stove

http://photos.imageevent.com/freenite/miriamsphotos/miscpicsandvideo/websize/melstove.JPG

I had another who would open the oven door and use it as a step-stool to get on the counter. When I tried using a bungee cord to keep it closed, I found her hanging off the edge of the door, holding it open, and gnawing on the cord. I had to get a child-proof lock for the oven.

Yes, this breed has a tendency to wander, and they will go far. They must have a secure fenced yard. Even if she is not wandering yet, once she is more familiar with the place she will be off exploring.

Bassets are a highly social breed who need the company of others. She needs to be housebroken and brought inside to be part of the family. They are very affectionate and loving, but difficult to housebreak unless you are very vigilant while teaching. Crate her when you can't watch her, watch her like a hawk when she is loose. If she messes in the house, whack yourself with a rolled up newspaper and say "I didn't watch her carefully enough!".

A basset hound is not for everybody, you really need a good sense of humor to own (or rather, be owned by) one. I wish you the best of luck and many happy years with her, but if you discover that a basset is not for you, please contact your nearest basset rescue group.

Edited to add: Old Roy is "garbage", she will actually poo less if you get her a good quality food.

Answer 2

I've never owned either one but have friends who were breeders so I knew their dogs really well. Both being scent hounds, they have some of the hound stubbornness - which you can definitely work with - you need to be flexible enough to adjust training methods to those suitable for hounds. As far as a dog for really young kids, I would most definitely stay away from mini dachsunds - they're too nervous and they tend to snap. The couple I knew had kids a bit older than yours and the dogs were kept pretty much away from them. Bassets on the other hand are laid back, easy going and forgiving type hounds. That being said, a child still has to be taught how to treat a dog with respect, but the average basset is not a breed that would snap at a toddler who's learning how to walk and falls on the dog. Check out breeders carefully, especially as to the health checks they've done on their breeding stock as well as the temperaments of a prospective puppy's parents. If the parents, mother especially, are even tempered dogs, you'd be safe getting a puppy.

Answer 3

I had a Basset Hound for years and 2 cups of food is not enough! Try putting her on a self feeding program, that means leave some food out ALL of the time! The dog will eventually get full.

As for wondering, do you have a fenced in yard? If so, try leaving her out at night. If she was going to wander she WOULD do it in the daytime! Also, at night, but definately during the day when there might be squirrles and rabbits and such to chase.

Bassetts are wonderful dogs to have, they love kids as a rule, but they can be hard headed and it takes some time for you to learn about each other.

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

Yes Basset Hounds do eat a lot...so do some people and other animals. Your dog seems to be getting enough to eat. Don't feed her anymore, she's fine. Animals will eat till they explode if they can. Plus they'll get very overweight which is bad for their health.

It's ok to let your dog wander, as long as you don't have a pool they could drown in or any way they could get out and escape your back yard. Build a fence if you need to....or tie her up to something on a grassy area. (with a long leash)

Answer 5

First Ol Roy Lam and rice is not good food to feed your Basset. Check with your local vet I am sure that they will reccomend Iams or Science Diet, even Nutro. Feeding a grocery store brand food will cause the dog to feel more hungry, have soft colored mushy poops and can cause skin conditions. Before switchingher food you will have to do it gradually by adding a little lof the new food daily to the old food. By switching to Iams or Science Diet your Basset will get all the vitamins she needs and will poop less and harder stools. She will have a glossier coat and will be less hungry by far. In fact you will end up feeding her much less because her boddy will recieve the proper nutrition it needs. Canned food should be saved as a treat only once a week and should be the same brand you are feeding.

Answer 6

First, get her off the crappy food. Do not feed Science Diet, Iams, Eukanuba, Pedigree or any other crappy food.

You have a HOUND! She is 'hunting' in your pantry, it is her nature. My Hounds are always 'hunting' for a little snack. Just put things away.

I would never trust a Hound to stay put if not confined. Hounds are very independant and have their own agenda. Use a crate at night. Use a fence or at least tie her in the daytime, she should not be trusted to not wander, she is a Hound and it is her nature to wander off, sniffing (hunting). Maybe try pottying her again 10 minutes or so after the last time out. I have one who always has to go out twice. She is maybe to busy sniffing to potty, watch her to see if she potties.


Miriam - ADORABLE pictures! I love Bassets!

Answer 7

Old Roy is crap food that contains more fillers than actual nutrition. Try changing to a premium dry food such as Innova EVO and she will eat less, digest less filler and poop less too. You can feed her early in the morning and then she will have all day to poop. Remember, even though a premium food may cost more, she will eat less.

Yes...they do tend to wander because the follow their nose like many hound breeds. I would not leave her out anytime unless you have a fenced yard.

Get her a large crate and keep her on the porch in the crate at night. Dogs actually like to have a "den" that they can sleep safely in and most dogs will not poop where they sleep, so you can turn her out in the morning to do her pooping.

Answer 8

I have a basset. He eats 2 cups of Pedigree per day (1 in the AM & 1 in the PM). Have you had your dog checked for worms?
As far as the behaviors go...the breed is VERY stubborn. It seems to take forever to teach them anything. Just be patient! They are not dumb just stubborn. She will get it eventually.

Answer 9

First off I would get the dog a different brand of food. Second I would crate train the dog. Give the dog a smalller space because they will learn they don't want to sleep in their poop. 3rd every time the dog goes to the bathroom outside I would give the dog a small piece of a hot dog or cheese and tell the dog they was a good dog. Reinforce the good behavior.

Answer 10

If the dog is older go with the 3 month rule. The first thing to remember about house training a puppy is there ability to hold themselves is limited. a rule of thumb is they can hold "it" usually 1 hour for each month of age. 2 months old = 2 hours, 3 months old = 3 hours, etc. when your puppy wakes up (morning, nap, whatever) the pup has to go, right then! take the pup out. when the pup eats or drinks, it has to go, take the pup out. after exercise (play), take the pup out. when the pup does it's thing outside praise it. a lot. tell the pup how good, how smart it is. you have to pay attention to the pups "looking for it's spot" behavior. when you see that behavior indoors, whisk the pup out. if you catch the pup in the act, simply tell it "NO!" and whisk it outside. if you find a puddle or pile after the fact, clean it up with an enzyme cleaner (pet food store) get a newspaper and hit.... yourself in the head and say "i should have been paying more attention" daytime training they get pretty fast. night time training is easier if you crate train the pup. also remember the one hour/one month rule. you will have to get up through the night to take the pup out. good luck.
three websites on how to crate train a puppy

http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~rc207100/info-pub.htm

http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.html

http://www.planeturine.com/pettips/dsp_crateTrainPuppy.cfm

Our pets need quality pet food. Read the ingredients list and learn what the stuff on there is and what it does (or does not do) to/for our pets. A quick pet food 101. If the pet food contains corn/corn products or by products it is a poor quality food. Do not pay attention to advertising, they all say there food is great. Corn is a filler that can trigger skin problems. (allergies, skin problems, itching and excessive shedding) By products is anything from an animal not fit for human consumption, including cancerous tissue. Quality foods have meat as the first ingredient. California Natural, Solid Gold, Innova and Merrick are a few of the best brands available. If you want to learn more check out: http://www.sagekeep.com/petfood.htm www.api4animals.org/facts?p=359&more=1 http://animalark.eapps.com/animal/PetFoods.nsf/$$PetFoodsByRating?OpenForm