The dog with amazing paws! Baskerville

by Louise Gladwin
(Brighton)

My favourite place on the sofa!

My basset hound is three years old, he is called Baskerville.

His behaviour is sometimes rather naughty. These are not normal dogs. They are ultra sulky. If they do not like something, they have a way of telling you. For example he hates being left and guaranteed will get up to nonsense when I am out - like opening the fridge and emptying it. I still am unsure how he does this. I reckon he is a little man in a suit who just unzips his coat and uses his hands to open the door.

Does anyone have any tips to entertaining them when you do have to leave the house?

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The dog with amazing paws! Baskerville

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Jun 28, 2010
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Hound Trouble
by: Anonymous

Hi!

I know what you are saying!!! My basset is 3 years old now, and we are only now starting to give him the run of the house for short periods of time. We must "doggie proof" the house before stepping out. Our dog will get anything that is small and within reach. We must put everything up before walking outside. I can think of two tips. When you leave, say the same things and do not make eye contact. If you love him up before you leave, he will be more upset that you are not with him. I always say "Be a good boy. Take a nap. Mommy will be back soon." Then I close the door behind me without making eye contact. The routine seems to have calmed him, but it took time. The second tip is to go through the routine that I just described, and then return to the house within a few seconds, then build to a few minutes, then half hour, etc. It worked for my guy. Training bassets takes time as you know so nothing will work overnight. Just stick with it and be consistent. Good Luck!!!

May 31, 2010
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Good point!
by: Virginia from just-basset-hounds

I have read about dogs that get blockages from eating something that they should not have eaten and and of course as you mention it can be quite dangerous.

Confining him to keep him safe is a good idea.

I used to confine my Basset to a crate when he was a pup (when we would leave the house). Then when he got a little older, we would leave the door to the crate open so he could get out. But, we put a gate on the laundry room door so he was confined to a small area with toys and water. He was fine. Now he has access to the whole house because he tends to sleep when we are away and doesn't get into things. I think he has mellowed with age.

Thanks for the suggestion.

May 28, 2010
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bad bassets!
by: Anonymous

My basset never figured the fridge out but he will get into the garbage, i had to "child proof" my cabinets at one point also.

dogs can get into alot of physical trouble getting into the fridge! what may seem harmless or even funny can turn deadly! I have seen many dogs at my clinic come in with poisoning and blockages due too their bad habits. and most of the time the owners dont know what they got into cause it usually happens when they are gone. we have lost a few patients from these cases.

the Basset does not like to be left alone. but more then that even, the Basset LOVES to eat. and Your bassets fridge adventures is probably him doing what bassets do. Food. He knows when you are gone its free reign. Your best bet is to get a gate and lock him some place safe from him belly. with toys and chews and plenty of water. I use to crate my Basset Flash however he is such a good boy I feel bad. so now i just gate him in my "dog safe" launry room.

Apr 22, 2010
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Ingenious!
by: Virginia from just-basset-hounds

Wow, a Basset Hound that can open the fridge... LOL. I never imagined that a Basset could do this! I like HoundDogMom's suggestion.

As far as keeping him busy... It sounds like he's quite active when you leave. My Basset Hound leans towards sleeping when we are not home and he always has, even when he was younger. But, one time (to my surprise) he chewed the molding around one of our doors. I gave him some chew toys and other toys and that problem was solved.

Does Baskerville get a good daily walk (in the morning or before you leave)? If you get him out for a long walk, then he'll have the chance to expend some of his energy. Then maybe he won't be as active when you are gone. I'm not sure that it will solve the problem. Just a suggestion.

Thanks for the photo!

Apr 16, 2010
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How to Stop Raiding the Fridge
by: HoundDogMom

Hello, we seen your picture and post about your basset hound opening the fridge. We definately had this problem at our house and figured out how they were doing it. They would reach under the fridge door with paw and pull it open. We have since placed a baby-lock on the fridge. These can be picked up at Lowe's or any hardware type store in the baby-proof section. It doesn't cost much and will definately help save on the grocery bill. HoundDogMom (Sherri)

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