Basset Hounds: Basset Hound Dog Forums - View Single Post

Boopus1965 · 08-21-2010, 01:57 PM

Hi, (growling at forum had a post typed it dumped it without posting it)

I am the owner of 2 bassets and have had 5 over the past 23 years. The one I adopted 19 months ago from rescue she was a severe abuse case. She had been in 3 foster homes, and a failed adoption. The fosters no one could touch her without forcing cornering her catching her and forcing it when she needed to be leashed to go to the vet etc... The failed adoption she ran away 3 times the third time they didn't tell anyone and and went on vacation she spent 3 weeks on the streets before I got her. She was a very severe abuse case was 27 pounds when I got her and had been in rescue for 7 months gaining weight. Terrified petrified are words that can't describe what we went through here. The story is heartbreaking and not my purpose for sharing here. Today I have a happy healthy basset who goes out with me off leash and is a wonderful dog. She is now 4 years old and still amazes us in the new things she does she even let me dremel her nails a week ago for the first time.

That being said the biggest thing as owners we have to overcome is the feeling that we want to cuddle them tell them it's ok encourage them with words. It doesn't work and in fact only tells them you are giving them permission to be afraid and there is really something to be afraid of. I had to force Lolly to face her fears so she could overcome them and learn that her fear was unjustified. She was afraid of everything you couldn't yawn and stretch in the same part of the house with her she tear out of the room cower and shake.

First thing I would recommend is a good harness so she doesn't get loose on you and can't back out of it. As for walking out the door put the harness on her, without speaking without making eye contact if she starts acting up immediately then just sit down till she stops. When you go to walk go away from the door, keep your head up straight a short leash next to and walk turn in a circle and head for the door, do not look at her do pause hesitate, go with the attitude you are going outside period. Same when you go to walk around the yard head up no talking no eye contact and walk you are becoming the leader and she will follow. If you break weak or she senses your nervous then this won't work you have to get the mindset nothing is harming her and she is going to face it. Same with bicycles kids etc.. walk past them keep on going no stopping no talking, once your past a ways turn around and go back past them again. Get this under control now don't wait for it to be a toaster a leaf or anything else.

The main thing is not to sympathize or talk to them, it is only making us as owners feel better not the scared animal. Today Lolly will hear a loud noise I drop something and while she might jump at first she doesn't run just looks then lays back down oh yeah it's ok. Her first response may always be to jump but she has an instant recovery. This was one of the most heartbreaking and rewarding things I have ever done in my life. I hope this helps if not please let me know and I will walk you through it. My goal is to never see a situation that Lolly got to and while hers was abuse you can create a lot of problems when you talk to them while they are afraid. Good Luck!

08-21-2010, 01:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
Boopus1965 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Currently Alabama Posts: 29	Hi, (growling at forum had a post typed it dumped it without posting it) I am the owner of 2 bassets and have had 5 over the past 23 years. The one I adopted 19 months ago from rescue she was a severe abuse case. She had been in 3 foster homes, and a failed adoption. The fosters no one could touch her without forcing cornering her catching her and forcing it when she needed to be leashed to go to the vet etc... The failed adoption she ran away 3 times the third time they didn't tell anyone and and went on vacation she spent 3 weeks on the streets before I got her. She was a very severe abuse case was 27 pounds when I got her and had been in rescue for 7 months gaining weight. Terrified petrified are words that can't describe what we went through here. The story is heartbreaking and not my purpose for sharing here. Today I have a happy healthy basset who goes out with me off leash and is a wonderful dog. She is now 4 years old and still amazes us in the new things she does she even let me dremel her nails a week ago for the first time. That being said the biggest thing as owners we have to overcome is the feeling that we want to cuddle them tell them it's ok encourage them with words. It doesn't work and in fact only tells them you are giving them permission to be afraid and there is really something to be afraid of. I had to force Lolly to face her fears so she could overcome them and learn that her fear was unjustified. She was afraid of everything you couldn't yawn and stretch in the same part of the house with her she tear out of the room cower and shake. First thing I would recommend is a good harness so she doesn't get loose on you and can't back out of it. As for walking out the door put the harness on her, without speaking without making eye contact if she starts acting up immediately then just sit down till she stops. When you go to walk go away from the door, keep your head up straight a short leash next to and walk turn in a circle and head for the door, do not look at her do pause hesitate, go with the attitude you are going outside period. Same when you go to walk around the yard head up no talking no eye contact and walk you are becoming the leader and she will follow. If you break weak or she senses your nervous then this won't work you have to get the mindset nothing is harming her and she is going to face it. Same with bicycles kids etc.. walk past them keep on going no stopping no talking, once your past a ways turn around and go back past them again. Get this under control now don't wait for it to be a toaster a leaf or anything else. The main thing is not to sympathize or talk to them, it is only making us as owners feel better not the scared animal. Today Lolly will hear a loud noise I drop something and while she might jump at first she doesn't run just looks then lays back down oh yeah it's ok. Her first response may always be to jump but she has an instant recovery. This was one of the most heartbreaking and rewarding things I have ever done in my life. I hope this helps if not please let me know and I will walk you through it. My goal is to never see a situation that Lolly got to and while hers was abuse you can create a lot of problems when you talk to them while they are afraid. Good Luck!