Five Tips for Better Vet Visits with Basset Hounds

Taking your Basset Hound for his/her vet checkup is often quite the adventure. Aside from the fact that your dog may very well dread going to the vet, he/she will be overwhelmed by all of the different smells and by all the other animals that may be in the waiting room. herefore, to make sure your Basset Hound stays safe and in your control, here are 5 tips for you to keep in mind –

1. Make sure your dog is leashed - You should never bring your dog to the vet without being leashed. You need to have more than verbal control over your dog at the vet, especially since there is a high chance that there are a number of other animals waiting to see the vet. Plus, there may not only be dogs waiting, many vets who offer their services to canines also look after cats, reptiles, and other house pets.

You need to make sure that your Basset Hound is placed on a short leash. A short lead will ensure that your dog isn't allowed to roam freely and will not become tangled in other dog leashes. If your dog is halter trained, it's also a good idea to have him/her in the halter when visiting the vet.

Remember, even if your dog is obedient, you can't take a risk on rusting that the other animals that may be waiting at the Vet's are. Leashing your pet and keeping him/her close to you is as much for the protection of other dogs as it is for yours.

2. Muzzle train your dog – Although you may not feel your dog requires a muzzle, you need to make sure that this isn't a requirement of your vet hospital. Some vets find a muzzle is the safest way to ensure that their staff and other patients are protected from being bitten. It also ensures that dogs don't destroy items by chewing or biting.

Although the Basset Hound is not an aggressive dog by nature, you would be surprised what can happen in a Vet hospital environment. Your dog will be anxious, the smells can drive him/her wild, and having to wait in a room with a bunch of other animals can change your naturally docile hound, and make his/her behavior unpredictable.

If a muzzle is a requirement to visit the Vet, be sure to introduce your dog to the muzzle well before your visit so he/she can become familiar with the device in a positive environment. A muzzle can be a scary contraption for a dog if they are not slowly and properly introduced to it. Be patient and take your time accustoming your dog to a muzzle.

3. Bring a treat – Unless your Vet has specifically told you not to feed your pet while waiting because of a test or for some other reason, bring a treat along. Treats make your pet happy, and will help them feel more comfortable with their surroundings. It also helps to keep your dog's attention on you and not other animals of interests.

4. Make sure your dog is well socialized – Make sure your dog has been well socialized with other people and dogs before you visit the vet. This is how your Basset Hound will learn what is considered acceptable and unacceptable behaviors around others, and will apply what he/she has learned during a vet visit.

5. Visit the vet regularly – Make sure your dog is taken for regular vet visits. Young dogs require yearly checkups and elderly dogs (8 and up) should visit twice a year to ensure they are still in good health. Regular vet visits not only ensures the overall health and wellbeing of your Basset Hound, it also makes the vet visit less stressful because it becomes a familiar routine.

Interesting Facts About the Lovable Basset Hound

Basset hounds can make great pets. Here are a few interesting facts about this interesting dog breed:

Basset hounds are tricoloured (white, black and brown), lemon (pale lemon and white), red and white, and blank red (solid red with a speck of white on the tail tip and feet). They are medium sized, usually reaching between 33-38cm. They also have massive paws and their front feet turn outward slightly to balance the width of the shoulders. Basset Hounds are not for someone who wants a dog that is eager to please and is easily trained. These dogs are intelligent, clever and interested in following their own noses. They can be stubborn!

Basset Hound dogs can acquire arthritis because of their odd bone structure. Activities such as too much running and prolonged up and down jumping can cause dogs to develop arthritis. They are sporting dogs with a keen sense of smell and the ability to cover great distances in a short time. They are often used by sporting enthusiasts to trail hares, rabbits, deer and other game. They have strong ears and these mishaps typically don't cause any damage, though the pup may stop to try to figure out what caused the problem.

Basset hounds are still used to hunt rabbit, but they are more visible in parades than in pursuit of Thumper. They should never be left outside in your yard, unsupervised. Their deep voice carries a LONG way. I learned that one the hard way!

They make great pets, just understand that they are a bit stubborn!

Learn how to train your dog today with my free dog training ecourse.

The Basset Hound: The "Hush Puppy" Breed

The Basset Hound is believed to have developed from a "curiosity" in the sixteenth century. Apparently a mutation developed in the litters of stag hounds in France in which puppies were born with short legs. (The French word "baset" means "low-set". ) These mutated puppies were bred together and the short, long bodied Basset Hound was born. The breed was introduced into Great Britain in the late 1800s and immediately became a favorite of Queen Alexandra's court. By 1886 there were more than 100 Bassets entered at a London Dog Show. In 1892 Sir Everett Millais, considered to be one of the main "founding fathers" of the breed in Britain, introduced the Bloodhound into the breeding, in part to guarantee against the inherent dangers which can be present in a small gene pool.

The Baset Hound remained popular in Great Britain for many years and was used regularly in packs of hounds which hunted hare. However world War I took its toll and the dogs became scarce. In 1921 the official Basset Hound Club closed its doors for lack of membership. The breed nearly became extinct but a small group of devotees managed to continue the lines and the Basset Hound club was re-established by 1954. The numbers represented today in the American Kennel Club demonstrate that now the Baset Hound enjoys a large popular following in the United States. Much of this popularity is no doubt due to the use of the Basset as a "poster dog" for the "Hush Puppy" shoe advertising campaign.

The Basset Hound is a long and low to the ground breed, with a heavy boned and quite solid appearance. His chest is deep and broad, nearly touching the ground. His long ears and deep muzzle resemble in some respects the head of the Bloodhound and he is well known for having very nearly the same abilities of scent that the Bloodhound does. He has a short dense coat which is easily kept and can be of any recognized hound coloration. His front legs are definitely bowed or crooked and he is quite short, his legs being often less than one third of his total height at the shoulder. He may have a tendency to back problems and this should be watched. Also this is a breed that will easily become obese if not kept well exercised and fed a proper diet.

The Basset Hound is first and foremost a scent hound and performs this function very well, having a large nasal capacity and long ears which serve to sweep the scent into his nostrils as he moves. Because of his hound instincts, he is not necessarily an easy dog to train, for often his nose will distract him from other activities his owner may wish him to perform. He is generally placid, but stubborn-ness is one of his traits also. Like many dogs of the hound persuasion, he has a melodious baying tone when he vocalizes. He is a dog that should be trained early to come when called, as he can easily get carried away and follow his nose to wherever it takes him.

Could the Basset Hound be the Right Dog for You?

According to legend George Washington became a Basset Hound owner shortly after the American Revolution. Perhaps, he took one look at those big sad eyes, and simply couldn't resist them. You could also find yourself enchanted by the Basset's sweet and loving character.

People are often surprised that a dog with such a broad chest, and short legs can actually move so gracefully. Don't be fooled by his somewhat clumsy and comical appearance. Trust me, this charming breed can run and play for hours when they are given the chance.

The adult Basset Hound weighs in at around sixty pounds, and stands between eighteen and twenty inches high. This member of the American Kennel Club's hound group can come in any AKC acknowledged hound dog color, but the most common is a dog with a white base coat with brown and black patches.

Basset's are almost maintenance free. They require very little grooming. Simply run a good bristle brush through his coat once or twive a week to remove dirt and loose hair

It's no wonder that the Basset Hound has such a keen sense of smell, his ancestor is the Bloodhound, renowned for its tracking abilities. In common with many scent hounds the Basset can become so preoccupied by a smell that your commands to come can fall on deaf ears.

Basset Hounds are devoted and loving pets, but a trait of this breed is a certain stubborness. New owners mistakenly think that their Basset isn't smart enough to learn obedience training. Don't be fooled. If your Basset is disobeying you, simply gaze in to those sad, brown eyes and you may just catch a crafty twinkle. They're smart dogs!

The Basset can be selective about the commands that he will obey. Like ignoring the stay command so that he can cuddle up closer to you. The Basset adores people and will do almost anything to be around them.

Since Basset Hounds can be a bit difficult to train, try to find a dog training method that works. You may also want to consider taking your puppy to obedience classes. This is a good idea as it helps to get your dog socialized through interaction with other puppies, and their owners. Try it out. You will meet lots of new puppies and their newbie owners!

Basset Hounds are the ideal apartment dog. They fit in to family life well. As, this breed is rather inactive indoors you have to remind yourself that he does need to go out. So don't forget to exercise your Basset daily to keep him in good health.

The Basset Hound loves to eat. Combine that with their disinterest in exercise and a warning sign starts to flash. You'll need to keep a close eye on his food consumption. Extra weight will place too much of a load on his spine and short legs, and lameness can become a distinct possibility.

You will also need to check his ears regularly. Breeds with pendulous ears like the Basset Hound can often pick up infections. Spinal related injuries and eye diseases can also afflict this breed. Otherwise the Basset is a relatively healthy breed.

So, if your looking for a dog with a melodic bark, who loves children, and will dote on you. Then a Basset Hound could definetly be the right dog for you, and your family.

Basset Hound - Laid Back and Loving

The Basset Hound is a Medium/Large dog that typically weighs between 45-75 pounds. Their height averages between 11" to 15". It is long and low and their height/weight ratio makes their already short legs look even shorter. In fact, their name comes from the French word "bas" which means low. Their gentle, loving, patient nature makes them an excellent companion dog for the home while their keen sense of smell and hunting instincts continue to make them excellent hunting companions.

Recognized by the AKC in 1885, the acceptable colors for the Basset Hound are a variety of hound colors, but they are typically white with chestnut or sand colored markings. The fairly dense coat is short, straight, hard and smooth. Their coat is easy to groom and only requires an occasional brushing and shampooing.

This loving, gentle dog is perfect for family life. They are excellent and patient with small children, even when they are not socialized with them. They are affectionate with their family and love to be around their family. They are great with other dogs and pets as well, although early socialization is good for non-canine pets because they might chase them due to their hunting instincts. They are easy going and fairly inactive when they are inside, making them great for apartment life as they enjoy relaxing and laying around inside. They are more active outdoors and require regular play, exercise and time to run. If you don't have a yard, you should plan to at least take them on a daily walk. They are fairly easy to train, but if they are on the trail of a scent, they will not pay any attention to you. For this reason, a fenced in yard is best. They have a tendency to gain weight, so monitoring their food intake and giving them ample exercise is important.

The Basset Hound originated in France and dates back hundreds of years. Their ancestry can be traced back to the Bloodhound. Originally used as hunting dogs, the Basset Hound uses its excellent sense of smell to track animals. Even though they can still be used for hunting, they are seen more as companion dogs today.

Few breeds equal the Basset Hound's gentle, forgiving, laid back nature. They are perfect for active families and for those that just enjoy an occasional walk provided their Basset Hound can have daily outside time. Whether you have small children or other pets or dogs, the Basset Hound can fit into just about any type of family dynamic with little to no adjustment problems.

Destructive Behavior in Basset Hounds

Although the Basset Hound appears to be sad and inactive, he is a happy and active dog. He is also extremely loyal towards his master. He is funny, intelligent and great with children and other animals. This dog gets his name from the French word "Bas', which means low or low-slung, describing the dog's body. This breed was initially used for hunting prey on the ground due to their low height and sharp sense of smell.

The Basset Hound has more bones in its body than any other dog and it is thus, necessary to keep them from jumping or becoming too active as this might only lead them to become crippled and even turn them into bow-legged animals. The Basset Hound is extremely affectionate, calm and devoted and is often the first choice for people with children and pets. It makes for a great watchdog because it is highly protective towards its family and sets off an alert at the slightest hunch but doesn't make a great guard dog.

The Basset Hound makes a great walk partner but they need several stops while walking. Such a dog is not recommended as a jogging partner because his bones are extremely fragile and are prone to breaking or becoming bow-shaped. Although all of the above factors are to be kept in mind to avoid causing any harm to the dog, it is equally important for one to realize that if the dog is let off without exercise for too long he may prove to be inordinately impatient and aggressive.

The Basset needs to be amply exercised, as that would keep him from becoming overtly bored due to lack of activity. This will also prevent him from growing highly aggressive. Exercise in the form of walks, with the leash firmly in place, is strongly recommended. The dog should also be encouraged to play on a regular basis, as that would refrain him from going overboard with his destructive chewing and biting activities.

Basset Hound Training Essentials

Training a dog should be an enjoyable and easy task both for you and your dog, but things can be different in Basset Hound training. It is because Basset Hounds, just like any other hounds, are extremely hard to train. They tend not to obey commands given to them because as scent hounds they prefer to follow what their noses tell them. Low desire to please its owner is another reason why a basset hound is hard to train.

When it comes to dog training, especially obedience training, a Basset hound is less likely to be chosen by most dog owners and trainers because of its characteristics towards training. However, it is not impossible to train a Basset hound if you really want to. Some have been successful in training their Basset hounds but only a few of them. Patience, together with your great love for your Basset hound is essential in order to have a well behaved dog.

Training tips are just few clicks away when searching a web and you can also learn through seminars from dog experts. But the best method in Basset Hound training is to know and listen to your dog. Discover what exercise or activity your dog enjoys and start your way from there. Let him understand that training is fun! Be artistic and create fun and exciting training methods and as much as possible, vary it from time to time so as not to bore them. Limit the training session to only 10-20 minutes. Slowing down and showing resistance to work is an indication that he has become bored or he doesn't like your training method.

Using training tools such as crate and rewards are ideal partner in every training session. Most Basset hounds obey command when offered reward, but will forget the training when reward is being offered. To do away with this, hide the reward from the dog before giving a command. Show him the reward only until he has complied with the command so as to come up with a Basset hound who follows command with or without the presence of a reward. The point here is to give him the idea that you may have a reward for him even if he can not see it.

It is also important to know the right time to start training. Making mistakes in the beginning of the training may delay the process and may not guarantee better results. Begin the training with something he enjoys so that he will be convinced to do it. Avoid being harsh and force your dog to do something which you think he doesn't like. Consistency and determination is much more helpful.

With these tips, you will surely be able to come up with nicely trained dog. You can now aim higher levels of training such as obedience and agility training, and prove others that it is not impossible to train these stubborn four legged friends.