New Basset puppies - desperately need help!

mabrooks · 01-12-2012, 09:20 PM

I am the very proud, but very confused owner of two male basset brother puppies that are now 9 weeks old. They have been with us for 10 days now. They are wonderful, precious puppies individually, but during most of their waking hours they are at each others throats and I mean literally chewing on each other like crazy. One of the brothers is larger and I safely say more dominant, but the smaller brother holds his own. My concern is that we the humans are having trouble bonding with them because all they do is fight unless they are asleep. It goes on for hours at a time and they are so very loud to each other, sometimes almost screaming at each other. We chose bassets because the breed is known to be loving, calm animals, but these guys are seriously out of control and oh so stubborn. We kennel them together in our kitchen when we are at work, but they have room to get out of the kennel and walk around and they are never left alone for over 4 hours at a time. They get alot of exercise in between the fights and we attempt to shower them with affection, but they usually don't stop fighting long enough to enjoy it. What are we doing wrong? It's to where the only time we can lay and love on them is at bedtime when they are worn out for the day. Is this aggression towards each other just a puppy phase? They are too little to take on walks so the yard and the house is basically all we can do until they are a little bigger and have had all their immunizations. My husband and I are at our wits end because all we want is for them to be happy and loving to us and to each other. Please anyone with any advice or help please help me out.

Soundtrack · 01-12-2012, 09:29 PM

They are not fighting. They are playing. This play is important for them to develop social skills.
Unless one is actually being injured, let them play.

Basset Momma · 01-12-2012, 10:05 PM

Soundtrack is quite correct- at 9 weeks they are still learning socialization skills- what you see as fighting is there way of learning to get along in the canine world... once they learn to socialize with each other they will learn to interact better with their humans. I do recommend spending some time each day (one at a time if you can manage it) loving and petting them for a bit-to get them comfortable with their human buddies as well... but as long as they are not causing injury to each other they are doing what they should be doing at their age.

Jnfr · 01-12-2012, 10:17 PM

I am NOT a behavior expert (but we have those here). However, I would suggest that if you could sit with one pup in one room and just love on it, let it relax, soak in the attention, and another family member do the same with the other in another room, it might help. And of course switch up so neither pup is bonding with only one person in the house.

I agree that the pups are just playing at this point, just in their "down" time try to capitalize on the opportunity to cuddle.

Bassets are the best. They are great family dogs. Nice personalities, loving beyond belief. Although, as pups they can be a handful. Two at once! Just remain calm. Come here and vent when you need to. Follow the advice you find here (we have some smart folks).........Oh and a requirement......Post Pictures! We LOVE puppies!

Jnfr

jaleely · 01-12-2012, 10:54 PM

Agree all around! Totally normal to be biting and playing. But, Jnfr is right too. That might help them bond to you!

mabrooks · 01-13-2012, 12:05 AM

Before I could get back on here and check the replies, my husband and I took about a half an hour with each puppy in different rooms while they were sleepy and just loved on them and it was wonderful. They did wake up when we brought them back together in the room, but they were a touch calmer. This whole experience has been challenging on many levels. I lost my 8 1/2 year old beagle a month ago and he was my best lazy, loving friend. So to bring happiness back into our home we thought puppies would help. It's been quite a ride to say the least. Now if only I could get them to quit taking chunks out of my feet when I'm walking I may be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I crave the day when they can just be crazy in a peaceful way and absorb all the love, attention, and affection that we want to give them. I am so happy I found this forum and hope to share my fears, concerns, and hopefully victories with fellow basset lovers. Thank you so much for making me know I'm not losing my mind

jaleely · 01-13-2012, 12:32 AM

aww! Puppies are suuuuch a handfull. I don't know how i would have done two, when i was doing just one barely *lol*
I have a beagle. She's a bratty little food begger! My family used to breed beagles when i was a kid, and i was a total beagle person...until i got my basset

Bowser is my little fur-soul-matey and it'll never be the same!

Mary1957 · 01-13-2012, 01:39 AM

I'm a new mom to a baby basset that I got at 8 wks old...she is now 11wks. My daughter got Maezie's sister. I puppy sit for her a few times every two weeks while she works. Maezie and her play like crazy. I'm sort of glad..that way she will be socialized with other pets. When Carly is here I take the time to seperate them both for extra attention...and then when Carly goes home...Maezie gets my undivided attention until the next time she comes. I am new to the breed and don't have experience with that breed. Just wanted you to know I have a new puppy and how she interacts with her sister.

houndmomma · 01-13-2012, 01:47 AM

First I have to say – welcome aboard and to the world of Basset’s –

You’ve already received some great suggestions so I’ll just say - I’m sorry to say – thank you – thank you – thank you – I so needed the laugh out loud you just gave me picturing them playing with each other –the way you described the little guys – I can’t wait to hear more stories of the antics they’ll be having.

Oh, and pictures – we need lots and lots of pictures to drool over…

Last by not least - I’m so very sorry about the loss of your beagle. It sounds like your two little guys are going to be a great distraction while you work through your grief. There is nothing better than the pitter patter of little puppy feet to help us heal.

Jen~

barneysmom2510 · 01-13-2012, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soundtrack

They are not fighting. They are playing. This play is important for them to develop social skills.
Unless one is actually being injured, let them play.

Very true. My brother's frenchie and Barney play together for hours they can get pretty rough but they love it. It amazes me how they can go for so many hours non stop. We let them run wild in the backyard tehy usually exhaust themselves.

01-12-2012, 09:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
mabrooks Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 44	New Basset puppies - desperately need help! I am the very proud, but very confused owner of two male basset brother puppies that are now 9 weeks old. They have been with us for 10 days now. They are wonderful, precious puppies individually, but during most of their waking hours they are at each others throats and I mean literally chewing on each other like crazy. One of the brothers is larger and I safely say more dominant, but the smaller brother holds his own. My concern is that we the humans are having trouble bonding with them because all they do is fight unless they are asleep. It goes on for hours at a time and they are so very loud to each other, sometimes almost screaming at each other. We chose bassets because the breed is known to be loving, calm animals, but these guys are seriously out of control and oh so stubborn. We kennel them together in our kitchen when we are at work, but they have room to get out of the kennel and walk around and they are never left alone for over 4 hours at a time. They get alot of exercise in between the fights and we attempt to shower them with affection, but they usually don't stop fighting long enough to enjoy it. What are we doing wrong? It's to where the only time we can lay and love on them is at bedtime when they are worn out for the day. Is this aggression towards each other just a puppy phase? They are too little to take on walks so the yard and the house is basically all we can do until they are a little bigger and have had all their immunizations. My husband and I are at our wits end because all we want is for them to be happy and loving to us and to each other. Please anyone with any advice or help please help me out.

01-12-2012, 09:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
Soundtrack Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,582	They are not fighting. They are playing. This play is important for them to develop social skills. Unless one is actually being injured, let them play. __________________ Rosie-Ch Soundtrack Cracklin' Rose CGN AGN RA Am RN TT Melody-Ch Soundtrack Unchained Melody TT Sailor-Ch Soundtrack Expedition Sailor RN TT Chili-Ch Soundtrack Spice Up Your Life Curry-Ch Soundtrack Canadian Brass Pepper-Ch Pennieslogon Living La Vida Loca CGN Vina-Ch Soundtrack Grand Illusion Leila-Ch Soundtrack Almost Paradise Deela-Ch Soundtrack Wink Of An Eye Hermione - Soundtrack Spellbound Eowyn - Soundtrack Rain Dance

01-12-2012, 10:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
Basset Momma Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: West Texas Posts: 2,305	Soundtrack is quite correct- at 9 weeks they are still learning socialization skills- what you see as fighting is there way of learning to get along in the canine world... once they learn to socialize with each other they will learn to interact better with their humans. I do recommend spending some time each day (one at a time if you can manage it) loving and petting them for a bit-to get them comfortable with their human buddies as well... but as long as they are not causing injury to each other they are doing what they should be doing at their age. __________________ -Wendy Mom to Samantha, Jake, Cuddy, Frodo, & Indy

01-12-2012, 10:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
jaleely Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 942	Agree all around! Totally normal to be biting and playing. But, Jnfr is right too. That might help them bond to you! __________________ Baby Bowsah's Bwog

01-13-2012, 12:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
mabrooks Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 44	You guys are awesome! Before I could get back on here and check the replies, my husband and I took about a half an hour with each puppy in different rooms while they were sleepy and just loved on them and it was wonderful. They did wake up when we brought them back together in the room, but they were a touch calmer. This whole experience has been challenging on many levels. I lost my 8 1/2 year old beagle a month ago and he was my best lazy, loving friend. So to bring happiness back into our home we thought puppies would help. It's been quite a ride to say the least. Now if only I could get them to quit taking chunks out of my feet when I'm walking I may be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I crave the day when they can just be crazy in a peaceful way and absorb all the love, attention, and affection that we want to give them. I am so happy I found this forum and hope to share my fears, concerns, and hopefully victories with fellow basset lovers. Thank you so much for making me know I'm not losing my mind

01-12-2012, 10:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jnfr Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 784	I am NOT a behavior expert (but we have those here). However, I would suggest that if you could sit with one pup in one room and just love on it, let it relax, soak in the attention, and another family member do the same with the other in another room, it might help. And of course switch up so neither pup is bonding with only one person in the house. I agree that the pups are just playing at this point, just in their "down" time try to capitalize on the opportunity to cuddle. Bassets are the best. They are great family dogs. Nice personalities, loving beyond belief. Although, as pups they can be a handful. Two at once! Just remain calm. Come here and vent when you need to. Follow the advice you find here (we have some smart folks).........Oh and a requirement......Post Pictures! We LOVE puppies! Jnfr

01-13-2012, 12:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
jaleely Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 942	aww! Puppies are suuuuch a handfull. I don't know how i would have done two, when i was doing just one barely lol I have a beagle. She's a bratty little food begger! My family used to breed beagles when i was a kid, and i was a total beagle person...until i got my basset Bowser is my little fur-soul-matey and it'll never be the same! __________________ Baby Bowsah's Bwog

01-13-2012, 01:39 AM	#8 (permalink)
Mary1957 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 190	I'm a new mom to a baby basset that I got at 8 wks old...she is now 11wks. My daughter got Maezie's sister. I puppy sit for her a few times every two weeks while she works. Maezie and her play like crazy. I'm sort of glad..that way she will be socialized with other pets. When Carly is here I take the time to seperate them both for extra attention...and then when Carly goes home...Maezie gets my undivided attention until the next time she comes. I am new to the breed and don't have experience with that breed. Just wanted you to know I have a new puppy and how she interacts with her sister.

01-13-2012, 01:47 AM	#9 (permalink)
houndmomma Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 503	First I have to say – welcome aboard and to the world of Basset’s – You’ve already received some great suggestions so I’ll just say - I’m sorry to say – thank you – thank you – thank you – I so needed the laugh out loud you just gave me picturing them playing with each other –the way you described the little guys – I can’t wait to hear more stories of the antics they’ll be having. Oh, and pictures – we need lots and lots of pictures to drool over… Last by not least - I’m so very sorry about the loss of your beagle. It sounds like your two little guys are going to be a great distraction while you work through your grief. There is nothing better than the pitter patter of little puppy feet to help us heal. Jen~ __________________ Momma to Lucy age 12 ~ Basset Hound Momma to Rickie age 5 ~ Shi-Poo (don’t tell him though – he thinks he’s a hound dog) Momma to Mabel age -1 ~ Basset Hound Momma to Flash – RIP 2000 ~ 2011 – Gone in body but with me in spirit ~ You will live on forever in my heart baby ~ Je t'aime

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