Adopting a 5 year old Basset Hound?

[carj]

So we are thinking about adopting a five year old Basset Hound from a rescue group.

We currently have a six year old pug mix and a ten year old anti-social cat. (The cat doesn't like anyone or anything and the dog likes everyone.)

We have thought about adding another dog to our family and we are considering a 5 year old Basset. I am a little concerned about house training an adult dog.

Also, how is the temperament of Basset Hounds? I have read some online. Our pug mix is very sweet and very lazy so I though the Basset might be a good companion.

My only other concern is the body shape of the Bassett Hound. We let the pug sit and sleep anywhere. (Couch, bed etc...) I know this sounds really silly but I don't know if it would be good for the Basset to be jumping up on the bed and couch, but I don't think it would be fair to have to keep that dog on the ground while the pug lays on the comfy couch. (The pug isn't going to change where she likes to sleep either.)

I would love hear any experiences, especially from owners of Basset Hounds or from anyone who has house trained an adult dog.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I think any time you bring a pet into your home, whether it's a youngster or a rescue or whatever, it should be a good fit for both the pet(s) and the people and family, home, etc. So just saying a six year old Bassett Hound doesn't mean much alone. When you added another (male) dog and a cat that doesn't like dogs, well, now you're getting into territory that makes me think you really need to think this through, lol. What is the background and personality of the Bassett? Are there special needs, like not housetrained? How does he feel about cats? Other dogs? Other male dogs? I think sleeping on the bed, or not, is less of an issue if thats you're normal routine and you stick with it, especially if it's for a reason like spine health. Lots to think through before adding another pet to a home, especially one who has already lost one or more homes. Most rescues will want to place pets with their "forever homes" and will take pains to see that it's the right home, but not all will. You should think that way yourself, though, for everyone's sake.

 

[wilkeliza]

Basset Hounds are pretty lazy or at least mine was when I was a teenager. Ours did nothing but sleep and bark. If you are worried about the basset hounds back and thus why you say jumping up and down would be an issue then you can buy a set a pet steps. We have them for our pups to make it so they aren't putting to much strain on their joints and back(we have a dachshund and a chihuahua/terrier mix).

Training an adult dog is the same as a puppy. It will just take patients. I think the problem a lot of people have is they expect an adult dog to just get it. A good starting point would be crate training. Start with the crate and then slowly allow them more space as they can be trusted.

If someone is always at home then you could go with the tether method. With that method you put their leash on and keep them tethered through you through out the day.The tether is there so you can start recognizing their signs. If you see them turning in circles or sniffing out a spot to go then immediately rush them outside and let them go out there. If they start to go say good dog good (whatever your bathroom command is) and treat them upon completion.

Another method if someone is always home is every hour on the hour you walk them outside and have them go. When they go say whatever your command is be it potty or go or whatever. Reward them when they go outside. After a day or two of no accidents you can lengthen the time until you finally have them going at the intervals you want. If you have a backyard that method is pretty easy. We had a hard time doing it so opted for the crate training method.

 

[clutter]

I had bassets for years. The ones I had were wonderful dogs, but it all depends on the individual dog. Just be prepared to wipe your walls down sometimes, they slobber. They are also hounds, so they smell like hounds, more so as they age. But mine were on the furniture and could jump up and down without help.

 

[pryncess527]

My only other concern is the body shape of the Bassett Hound. We let the pug sit and sleep anywhere. (Couch, bed etc...) I know this sounds really silly but I don't know if it would be good for the Basset to be jumping up on the bed and couch, but I don't think it would be fair to have to keep that dog on the ground while the pug lays on the comfy couch. (The pug isn't going to change where she likes to sleep either.)

I'm not sure if bassetts actually have trouble jumping on furniture or not, but when our beagle got older and struggled to jump on the sofa, we got her pet stairs to make it easier. That might be an option if the bassett has trouble and you want him to feel included

 

[RedAngie]

No advice to give, but thanks for considering adopting a rescue dog.

 

[7165red]

It is a very good thing you are doing, I hope it works out. I

 

[bballmom56]

That's wonderful you are considering adopting from a rescue!

We have a basset/lab mix that is just awesome! She has many traits of both breeds. She has the body of the basset (long and low) plus the soulful eyes and the energy level. She is a couch potato!

She can jump up on our sofa, but our bed is higher. I was concerned about her jumping down from the bed, putting the stress on her legs and back. I bought her pet stairs that she (and the cats) use regularly.

Let us know how it goes!

 

[carj]

I think any time you bring a pet into your home, whether it's a youngster or a rescue or whatever, it should be a good fit for both the pet(s) and the people and family, home, etc. So just saying a six year old Bassett Hound doesn't mean much alone. When you added another (male) dog and a cat that doesn't like dogs, well, now you're getting into territory that makes me think you really need to think this through, lol. What is the background and personality of the Bassett? Are there special needs, like not housetrained? How does he feel about cats? Other dogs? Other male dogs? I think sleeping on the bed, or not, is less of an issue if thats you're normal routine and you stick with it, especially if it's for a reason like spine health. Lots to think through before adding another pet to a home, especially one who has already lost one or more homes. Most rescues will want to place pets with their "forever homes" and will take pains to see that it's the right home, but not all will. You should think that way yourself, though, for everyone's sake.

Thanks for you reply. Both dogs are female and so is the cat.
I do want to carefully think through adding another dog. We already have the anti-social, unfriendly cat that we adopted her from the pound without knowing anything about her. I had always had cats growing up but never had a cat like this. She was a kitten that had been dumped. So yes she's crazy but she's ours. She has plenty of places to go to escape the dog...and us. Pretty much she ignores us until I go to bed.(Then she comes and sleeps on my arm. I think she just wants to be warm!) Don't get me wrong, we love the cat, but she just tolerates our presence.

This dog we are considering is in a foster home with several dogs and cats. I don't think she has trouble getting along with other pets. There are no known health problems but of course you never know for sure.

I don't really care where the dog sleeps but I just think it would kind of not be fair to the Basset if the pug can get on the furniture with the family and she has to stay on the ground because of her back or physical issues. Yes, I do realize that I sound crazy.

The rescue will bring her for a home visit to see how she gets along with our pets. I know my family though, and I don't want to bring that dog into our house if there isn't a VERY strong liklihood that we will want to keep her.

This dog is adorable but I just want to make sure we are making a good decision for her and for us.

 

[skuttle]

We fostered dogs for a few years (never puppies) and they always caught on to house training after a day or two. Most of them had previously been house trained. We had our own two dogs, so I think having other dogs following the routine allowed for the new dogs to catch on quicker.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thanks for you reply. Both dogs are female and so is the cat.
I do want to carefully think through adding another dog. We already have the anti-social, unfriendly cat that we adopted her from the pound without knowing anything about her. I had always had cats growing up but never had a cat like this. She was a kitten that had been dumped. So yes she's crazy but she's ours. She has plenty of places to go to escape the dog...and us. Pretty much she ignores us until I go to bed.(Then she comes and sleeps on my arm. I think she just wants to be warm!) Don't get me wrong, we love the cat, but she just tolerates our presence.

This dog we are considering is in a foster home with several dogs and cats. I don't think she has trouble getting along with other pets. There are no known health problems but of course you never know for sure.

I don't really care where the dog sleeps but I just think it would kind of not be fair to the Basset if the pug can get on the furniture with the family and she has to stay on the ground because of her back or physical issues. Yes, I do realize that I sound crazy.

The rescue will bring her for a home visit to see how she gets along with our pets. I know my family though, and I don't want to bring that dog into our house if there isn't a VERY strong liklihood that we will want to keep her.

This dog is adorable but I just want to make sure we are making a good decision for her and for us.

Sounds like you've thought it through pretty well, I wish you luck! I'm sure you'll work it out! We've been looking to add another pet, too. I get what you're saying about the dogs on the bed! Not crazy, at all. Stairs should be really helpful.

 

[klacey1]

I echo what PP have said, get the pet stairs!
I had a basset growing up and she was wonderful. She could be very stubborn, so proper training on who the leader of the pack is is VERY important. She was also very loving, always wanted to be where we were--but fine being home during the day too. Super super friendly to all people and animals. I know that was one super specific dog, but I wouldn't hesitate to get another basset. (Am actually itching to get one ASAP!)

 

[Jennasis]

We are a hound family...have a blue tick coonhound and a greyhound. The scent hounds like our blue tick and your basset will get that yeasty ear smell if you don't keep up with the cleaning of them (no big...they make wipes). And they can be VOCAL. Luckily we live on a farm and so our neighbors won't kill us because of the incessant baying!

Adopting an older dog is a beautiful thing. W haven't had puppy since 2004 (we found on on the roadside). All our dogs have been older rescues and training them has been easy peasy.

 

[Vicki926]

My brother in law and his wife do basset rescue. They have 3 or 4 of their own and a couple more they're fostering. Last time we visited, the dogs climbed up and down on the couch and on us with no issue. My teenagers were in heaven. Lol

Every one of the bassetts they've had over the years has been super friendly, with the exception of one, but she was abused before they got her..and even she wasn't mean, or snappy, just went and hid when she had had too much kid time(my kids were little when she was there)

 

[carj]

Thanks for all the replies! I think we will go ahead and schedule the home visit this weekend.

 

[clutter]

So how did it go?

 

[yoopermom]

Another hound owner here, weighing in that bassets are WONDERFUL dogs. They are "long and low" but are NOT small/lightweight. They are VERY large-boned, so are usually quite sturdy. I have seen owners pulled around by them, because the dog caught a scent and was off to the races! Like their stereotype, though, they do love to sleep, too .

6 is barely middle aged for a hound. I have a 13 and 14 year old at home, and while the male is getting very frail, the female doesn't look a day over 10 . To keep her healthy, keep a close eye on her weight (that long spine doesn't need to take any more stress than need be), give her regular exercise (walks are great), clean her ears out, and give her lots of love.

I hope she works out for your family!

Terri