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Hello,
I am an experienced dog owner, mostly hounds of various sorts. I have had a 5 year old basset foster for just over a week. My first ever all basset is a BIG BOY, 90lbs big and he's lost 10 since being turned over to rescue.
My concerns all center around his tendency to nip. I have it under control for now but he is going to have to go out in the world away from me and I'd like to fix the problem(s) not just avoid the situations. He is a bright loving guy and deserves that.
He snapped at me the first time I tried to encourage him to "go crate" using his collar. Now I have a set up so he has porch area and I stand so he can't back out, he can only stand looking at the crate with his nose at the door or go in. Once he's in I can reach for the snap and undo the lead. Nine times out of ten now he just goes in when I say "go crate".
He will snap if you reach for his collar to prevent him doing something he wants to, like beg people food or steal it off the counter. He clearly doesn't mean to harm but he also clearly means to follow through if you don't get the message. I have just been letting him drag a light lead and use it to control unwanted behaviours. He does not object to this at all. However I can't see leaving him on a lead all the time for the rest of his life.
The rescue operator said he is to wear a muzzle for ear cleaning and nail clipping still. I am not sure if I should be trying to put the muzzle on him occasionally so he tolerates it. Also I am not sure how to try it without getting nipped. A lead will not help me with this one, or ear cleaning or nail clipping LOL (He will without objection let me handle his ears and feet)
He is very mouthy.
1. He likes to have his lead in his mouth especially when I first put it on him or change from the light indoor lead to one suitable for walks outdoors. I have been offering him a cloth braid toy instead and gently removing the lead from his mouth, saying "off" He has little interest in the braid but seems to be getting the message that I'd rather he not chew the lead. I think his old owner may have thought it cute and encouraged it.
2. He likes to mouth almost suckle on the lead snap and collar ring. I have been removing it gently and telling him off. It does not seem to be affecting this behaviour at all. I tried distraction with toys and that was totally not a success.
3. He likes to lick and often follows licking with gentle nibbling like dogs use to remove burrs. I have allowed the licking to continue, withdrawing my hand and saying off when he nibbles, and I am reducing the length of time he is allowed to lick before moving it to pat where he can't reach to lick. This seems to be being effective.
Before you ask, yes I can ask the rescue operator about this. I do keep her informed. She assumes she has picked foster parent(s) she can trust to do what is needed, sometimes looking to others than her for resources as needed.
We look forward to your input.
slbj.mouse & B.BASSET
I am an experienced dog owner, mostly hounds of various sorts. I have had a 5 year old basset foster for just over a week. My first ever all basset is a BIG BOY, 90lbs big and he's lost 10 since being turned over to rescue.
My concerns all center around his tendency to nip. I have it under control for now but he is going to have to go out in the world away from me and I'd like to fix the problem(s) not just avoid the situations. He is a bright loving guy and deserves that.
He snapped at me the first time I tried to encourage him to "go crate" using his collar. Now I have a set up so he has porch area and I stand so he can't back out, he can only stand looking at the crate with his nose at the door or go in. Once he's in I can reach for the snap and undo the lead. Nine times out of ten now he just goes in when I say "go crate".
He will snap if you reach for his collar to prevent him doing something he wants to, like beg people food or steal it off the counter. He clearly doesn't mean to harm but he also clearly means to follow through if you don't get the message. I have just been letting him drag a light lead and use it to control unwanted behaviours. He does not object to this at all. However I can't see leaving him on a lead all the time for the rest of his life.
The rescue operator said he is to wear a muzzle for ear cleaning and nail clipping still. I am not sure if I should be trying to put the muzzle on him occasionally so he tolerates it. Also I am not sure how to try it without getting nipped. A lead will not help me with this one, or ear cleaning or nail clipping LOL (He will without objection let me handle his ears and feet)
He is very mouthy.
1. He likes to have his lead in his mouth especially when I first put it on him or change from the light indoor lead to one suitable for walks outdoors. I have been offering him a cloth braid toy instead and gently removing the lead from his mouth, saying "off" He has little interest in the braid but seems to be getting the message that I'd rather he not chew the lead. I think his old owner may have thought it cute and encouraged it.
2. He likes to mouth almost suckle on the lead snap and collar ring. I have been removing it gently and telling him off. It does not seem to be affecting this behaviour at all. I tried distraction with toys and that was totally not a success.
3. He likes to lick and often follows licking with gentle nibbling like dogs use to remove burrs. I have allowed the licking to continue, withdrawing my hand and saying off when he nibbles, and I am reducing the length of time he is allowed to lick before moving it to pat where he can't reach to lick. This seems to be being effective.
Before you ask, yes I can ask the rescue operator about this. I do keep her informed. She assumes she has picked foster parent(s) she can trust to do what is needed, sometimes looking to others than her for resources as needed.
We look forward to your input.
slbj.mouse & B.BASSET