AboutNicole Expertise I will offer assistance to anyone needing help with general Basset Hound care, health and behavior/training.
I do not, however, assist those who have bred their pet. If you are responsibly breeding, you shouldn't have simple questions as your mentor should be providing you all the instruction you need.
Experience I currently own a 5 year old Basset Hound and his 6 non-basset siblings...(a mutt and 5 Boxers). I have studied dog behavior and training extensively and train my own dogs.
Organizations Buckeye Boxer Rescue
Education/Credentials I was a certified obedience instructor and a certified potty-training instructor with Petsmart and studied under a canine behaviorist.
My Basset Bert is about 5 1/2 mo old. He stays in a crate during the day while we are at work, and at night where he sleeps. I usually put down a towel or pillow for him as bedding, and a pee pad on the other half of the crate. He almost always pees in the crate while left during the day and over night. Never poops unless he is sick. I realize that I should probably remove the pads and bedding, and add a divider to his crate to discourage this behavior. His crate is the approx 2' by 3' size. My concern is that at his age, should he be able to hold it that long, 8 hrs or so at a time, or should I continue to allow it . thanks
Answer Hi Rusty,
Unfortunately, many people ask this question after purchasing a puppy, which is then too late. There are times when an older, house-trained dog is better suited to a family, for instance, one that is away for the better part of the day.
At this point, his natural instinct to keep his den clean has been greatly damaged and you'll have a very difficult time breaking him of it. He shouldn't be confined for more than 4 hours at a time, and no, a 5 month old dog cannot reliably hold himself for such a long stretch.
I strongly urge you to consider finding a day care or a dog walker for Bert. You chose to bring a puppy into a working family and make him your responsibility. As such, you must cater to his specific needs. You are, essentially, confining him for 16 hours with a short break between. Many would consider this abuse. I'm sorry if that's offensive to you but please take an honest look at what you're doing.
If you google 'dog walker' or 'dog daycare' and include your city and/or state, you should come up with possibilities. Some expensive, some not so much.
Please make sure he's not fed or watered for the hour prior to being confined. He should be let out twice prior to being locked up. This will help in making sure he's as close to 'empty' as he can be.
