subject: Training Basset Hound in 3 Easy Steps [print this page] Basset Hounds are the world's most calm and gentle dogs. They love the human companionship and are neither overly submissive nor overly dominant. They are well behaved in nature but sometimes go stubborn by acting as if they had heard nothing. They can be very selective in hearing. It just depends on their mood as they are too lazy.
As they are regarded as scent hounds, you need to put them on a leash to stop them from following their nose into trouble. Even the slightest smell of any critter can turn them wild. However at other times when they are not chasing scents, they are totally content to relax around the sun. This may put some extra weight in them. So, you need to involve them in daily exercise to prevent them to become an obese.
A puppy's early experiences are the base for his adulthood. He opts to do the same activities that he has been taught in the early period. So, start your training period as early as possible because if you don't train him at that time, then you can never train him better later on. The training becomes hard if your puppy has already learnt some nasty and mischievous acts.
2. Positive Reinforcements
You need to be highly positive while training your basset hound because he may take some time to learn whatever your are teaching. You need to be gentle and kind with this gentle dog. If you reward him for good things, then you should deal in the same way when he ends up doing some bad things because they learn good things when you work with positive approach. They may develop some abnormal behaviors in them if you are training him harshly by hitting and beating him.
3. Socializing
To bring some good behaviors in their nature, it is necessary to socialize them. If they are not socialized, they may bark seeing other animals and peoples which can be really irritating. So to make them familiar with the social environment, you need to make frequent interaction between your basset hound and other animals and strangers. For this, take him to the park, public places and for short car rides. Make him used to bathing, brushing and other activities so that they become highly sociable and friendly.
