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.
Question Hello, My wife and I recently adopted a Bassett / Beagle mix. But trust me, he is 90% Bassett and 10% stubborn. Since we got him he has chewed all the carpet around his crate effectively ruining the entire rooms carpet. I went and bought a kong ball, tug rope, doggie treats, rawhides, pig ears, and all of them are completely ignored. What can i do, the only thing that interests him is real meat, bones etc.
Answer Hi Billy,
When I adopted my BH, he ate a couch, the couch that replaced that couch and the loveseat that replaced that couch. Makes ya crazy doesn't it? :)
Firstly, toss the rawhides and pigs ears. They are horrible for dogs. Rawhides get lodged in throats and stomachs (think of the gooey mess) and pigs ears have more grease than bacon. BH's tend to get portly...anything you can cut out now will help out in the long run.
If he's eating the carpet while he's in the crate, get a plastic airline type crate. They're more closed at the bottom. If he's eating it while he's out...supervise.
No behavior can be fixed or corrected if you don't witness it. You have a one second window (which means immediately) to praise or correct. If he chews in front of you, clap your hands, tell him 'eh-eh' (sharply). When he stops, praise immediately. If he doesn't stop, remove him from the area.
Most dogs chew out of stress or boredom. He may need to be exercised more. BH's need exercise physically and Beagle's need it mentally. A bored Beagle is a nightmare...a lazy BH is fat. :) Obedience training or circus trick training will also stimulate his mind and tire him out.
In the meantime, you may want to hit Lowe's or Home Depot and buy a scrap piece of linoleum to sit his crate on.
