Things You'll Need:
- PATIENCE!
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Step 1
SAFETY
One thing that Basset Hounds love to do is smell EVERYTHING! There scent is second only to the blood hound and when they lock on a scent they just keep going. Don't let your Basset Hound wander around an unfenced yard. If they do happen to pick up a scent that interests them they will follow it. They are so involved in the scent they will not look up and can get hit by a car. They are not being defiant. They are doing what they were bred to do. If you don't want to lose your Basset put them on a tie out with a harness if you happen to be in an area that is not contained. I know you want to keep your new buddy safe. -
Step 2
FURNITURE
You need to make furniture off limits from the very start. Bassets are big couch potatoes and will take over your couch, the bed and your favorite recliner if they get the chance. They do not like laying in the floor and any chance they get they will be all over the furniture. Get your buddy a nice big, thick dog bed and lay it next to where you sit. Bassets love touch and feeling like they are apart of you. -
Step 3
BATHING
Bassets usually accept bath time with no problem. There is extra cleaning that needs to be done to their ears since they are so long and there isn't adequate air flow. Short eared dogs need their ears cleaned but are able to get the air to help with keeping fungus and other bacteria from growing. Take a cotton ball soaked in alcohol, lift up the ear and clean down as far as you can. Do not force the alcohol cotton ball down into the ear canal. This should be down weekly as should a bath. Bassets have a tendency to have a musky smell and daily brushing should help eliminate this problem.
