[afred112]

Hello, last year around October we brought home a basset puppy. Currently is 6+ months old. I didn’t know much about raising a puppy, but learned the most that I could when I heard he would be coming into my life. The one thing I didn’t pay much attention to was food aggression. He has bit 3 members of my family currently, and two of them have bled. Yesterday, he got into our trash. I told him “No” and tapped his nose. This caused him to snap at my thumb. I am aware that this is completely my fault, as I was not as prepared as I thought I was. I want to help/fix the way he sees me. I have already been told that I should bring him to a trainer, but for many reasons that is one thing I can’t do at the moment, but maybe in the future. So for now, I’m looking for ways that I can help this. I am also concerned that this is happening due to fear because of lots of signs and body language he has been showing me. What are some ways that I can build trust with him? There are no other reasons to why he has bit us. He is as young as he can be right now so I assume I should start to do things with him now. We have taught him many tricks since he is very food-motivated. Thank you.

 

[MomosMum]

It makes me so very sad to read that a baby of only 6 months has already gone to 'fear biting', if this is what's going on. Bassets are a pack animal and will always have the tendency to defend what they see as 'theirs' and as such, is highly valued. Which is why you should always teach 'leave' or 'drop' - usually best done by trading if it's something you have to part him from! You have something way better than what he has.

You should, especially knowing he is now likely to bite, never use any form of physical correction, even if only a 'tap'. I'm sorry but you asked to be snapped at. He has yet to understand no, and what's allowed and what isn't. And if you remove something like the trash and anything else he really shouldn't get into = AVOID the need for correction.

As for getting a trainer in - frankly that must be somebody who knows how to deal with a Basset, or other pack hound because the training is best done in a totally different way to how you'd train another breeed. Did you buy from a good breeder because if so, I think you should contact them and tell them what's going on. Hounds in general are sensitive and so any form of training should involve gentle correction and don't overload the pup with too much either. He will want to please you for sure, but a lot of it takes time, and patience. It can be easy to get frustrated with a young Basset so if you do, back off. End the training and make it fun!!

 

[afred112]

It makes me so very sad to read that a baby of only 6 months has already gone to 'fear biting', if this is what's going on. Bassets are a pack animal and will always have the tendency to defend what they see as 'theirs' and as such, is highly valued. Which is why you should always teach 'leave' or 'drop' - usually best done by trading if it's something you have to part him from! You have something way better than what he has.

You should, especially knowing he is now likely to bite, never use any form of physical correction, even if only a 'tap'. I'm sorry but you asked to be snapped at. He has yet to understand no, and what's allowed and what isn't. And if you remove something like the trash and anything else he really shouldn't get into = AVOID the need for correction.

As for getting a trainer in - frankly that must be somebody who knows how to deal with a Basset, or other pack hound because the training is best done in a totally different way to how you'd train another breeed. Did you buy from a good breeder because if so, I think you should contact them and tell them what's going on. Hounds in general are sensitive and so any form of training should involve gentle correction and don't overload the pup with too much either. He will want to please you for sure, but a lot of it takes time, and patience. It can be easy to get frustrated with a young Basset so if you do, back off. End the training and make it fun!!

Thank you so much for the reply. I am aware that this is all caused because of me. I am unaware of where he came from, pretty sure he came from a backyard breeder, unfortunately, who needed to get rid of the pups really quick. I am really grateful for your advice.