New Basset Mom-to-be

3116 Views 16 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Mikey T, Feb 19, 2006

G

Discussion Starter · Feb 16, 2006

Hi all! I am already a proud Mommy of my dachshund, Oscar (8 yrs old). But, on March 3rd we will have a new member to our family....MURPHY! Murphy is a lemon and white basset boy who currently has blue eyes (the breeder says they could still change) If I knew how to post a pic here, I would. I'm so excited! I've been doing alot of research as any good Mommy would. However, no amout of reading can prepare your for the real life thing. So... any advice out there for a new basset Mom-to-be? I'm especially concerned about Oscar and how he will handle not being the only doggie in the house. Just so you know, I am fully aware of the importance of keeping the ranks in the pack. Murphy will be taught that although I am the top dog in the house..Oscar is next in line. Not to say any one dog is more important than the other, but I feel its important to keep consistency and reassure Oscar that he isn't being left out, replaced, or pushed aside. The heirarchy must be established and maintained to create stability and structure for both doggies. Sound good?

Thanks,
Amy

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

Elvismom

· #2 · Feb 16, 2006

Congratulations - can I assume that Murphy is still a pup? They are soooooo cute at that age. Of course, they are still cute when they get older.

I don't know about dachshunds but I will guarentee that Murphy will get into everything. Best advice I can give is to puppy proof your house as much as possible. I am still amazed at what they can get into.

G

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 16, 2006

Yes, he is only 4 and a half weeks old today.

Here's my attempt at posting a pic..hope it works!

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G

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 16, 2006

Oh my gosh Amy, there are no words to describe how cute he is. AAAAAWWWWWWWWW. That is all I have to say, that and good luck to you. He will push you to the very end of your limits but hopefully by the time he does that you will be so head over heels in love with him that you will forgive him quickly. And believe me, with a basset there is a lot of forgiving to do. Since when do you get to be a "top dog". Wilson is "top dog" in our house. Maybe we should all be getting advice from you. Is there a class you can take to do that? LOL

G

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 16, 2006

Precious! Precious! Precious! But, he is the devil in disguise! Just kidding! Get ready for an adventure! Puppy proof and have patience!

G

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 16, 2006

What a cutie! He looks alot like Sabe as a pup. Welcome to the board. yvonne

dlhowl

· #7 · Feb 16, 2006

They should get along great. When I got Dozer, we would go see my mom's dachshund. They were the same size at first, but it didn't last long.
Here's Dozer at 10 weeks with Rocky at 2 years old.

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murraysmom

· #8 · Feb 16, 2006

He's gorgeous!As far as introducing them: I would let them meet outside on the sidewalk first (a neutral place, not part of Oscar's territory), and supervise pretty heavily when they are together until you are sure Oscar won't try to hurt Murphy- I bet they'll be buddies in no time! Welcome to the forum!

G

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 16, 2006

Congrats on your first basset hound. You've picked out a real handsome hound! I don't think you should have any problems with who is the alpha dog. I have 3 dogs and they seem to work it out just fine. If not then I get involved and they know they can't push me around because I am also the "top dog".

My only advice like the others is just be patient. He will outgrow the puppyhood. Can't wait to hear all your stories, they are great dogs!

Good luck!

Mikey T

· #10 · Feb 16, 2006

"I am fully aware of the importance of keeping the ranks in the pack. "

IMHO pack order is highly over rated. I suggest
FEELING OUTNUMBERED? HOW TO MANAGE & ENJOY A MULTI-DOG HOUSEHOLD or the DVD which emphysis is not pack order but teaching all dogs deference. Rather than a alpha, beta ... and so on why not instead have a pack of omegas with no inclination to seek status.

IMHO the two most important things to start doing with a new puppy is "Socialization and Habituation" and teaching "bite inhibition" here are some links to both.

Bite Inhibition - How to Teach It

Countdown to a Crackerjack Canine Companion

Puppy Socialisation and Habituation (Part 1)
Why is it Necessary?

Puppy Socialisation and Habituation - How to go about it.

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G

Discussion Starter · #11 · Feb 16, 2006

Thanks Mikey T for the new perspective. I didn't realize that there were alternatives. I thought it was just a dog's nature to need status order. I will definately look into those links.

G

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 17, 2006

I can relate to the article on bite inhibition. I did something very similar with Oscar as a pup. Even when he is most irritated, (like during manicure sessions) he will only "mouth" my hand or fingers. There is no pressure. And sometimes if we are playing and he does apply too much pressure by accident, I say "OUCH" and he realizes he was to rough and ...this is so cute..immediately kisses that exact area he "bit"

TriciaG

· #13 · Feb 18, 2006

How beautiful your baby is, and so tiny too. I am sure you are in for many years of fun with him.
Bertie is an 'only child' but my parents have always had two or three Springer Spaniels and we found they always sorted out the 'pecking order' for themselves with no problems, so I hope your experience is the same. Certainly, I would see how your Doxie and Basset get along before I started reading too many articles about it.
Good luck.

G

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 18, 2006

From my own experience over too many years to remember with chows, old english sheepdogs etc plus 1 basset hound now 8 months old the older dogs have normally made allowances for new puppies coming into the family and sort their own roles out with a minimum of help from me.
I didn't want a lemon and white basset but after seeing the photo I might have changed my mind.
Too late now I don't think I could cope with 2 bassets ( but you never know ) I know you a great deal of fun ahead of you

best wishes

sandra , menna and callie

Basset Momma

· #15 · Feb 18, 2006

What a precious one! Welcome-

Milly and Lily

· #16 · Feb 18, 2006

he is gorgous, just remember they are both hounds.

Mikey T

· #17 · Feb 19, 2006

" older dogs have normally made allowances for new puppies coming into the family and sort their own roles out with a minimum of help from me."

This is generally the case. Puppy up to 16 weeks old are generally given "puppy license" to be as annoying as they want by all adult dogs slowly after this time that license is taken away an they are reprimanded for obnoxious/inappropriate behaviour.

see: Social Hierarchies
" in the early affirmative action tests with two-month-old puppies starting in possession of the bone, adult females never expropriated the bone and adult males only did so in 40% of the tests. By the time the 'pups' were six months old, however, adult females expropriated the bone in 60% of tests and adult males always took it away. It was apparent that adult dogs, bitches especially, showed leniency towards young pups in social situations. The termination of this 'puppy license' is cued by rising testosterone levels in male pups at four- to five-months of age, which reach a peak around 10 months (4-5 ng/ml) before declining to adult levels (1-2 ng/ml). When puppies approached adolescence, they were continually harassed by adult dogs. Male adolescents were especially targeted by adult males. This stressful phase of social development is mercifully short, because the pups quickly learn to display active and exaggerated appeasement in order to allay harassment by adults, i.e., the pups learn their station in life before they become serious competition on the social scene. "

[ February 18, 2006, 07:06 PM: Message edited by: Mikey T ]

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