Activities For Basset Foxhounds

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Activities For Basset Foxhounds

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Introduction

The Basset Foxhound is a mix of the Basset Hound and the Foxhound. There are two types of Foxhounds, which are American Foxhounds and English Foxhounds. Both American and English Foxhounds are very similar in breeding and stature; the difference is in the ancestry and the country in which they originated. The Basset Hound is a short-legged and longer-bodied hare hunter that originated in France. The Foxhound is known, as the name suggests, for its avid fox-hunting skills. Breeding them together created an excellent hunter with a loyal and loving personality, with an extreme sense of smell for hunting critters.

Track the Treats

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Sunny Day

Cheap

Normal

30 min

Items needed

Aromatic Snacks

Leash

Harness

Activity description

Basset Foxhounds have an excellent sense of smell. They use their strong scent glands to track down critters, from foxes to rabbits. Once they smell the animals, known as “catching a scent” any recall your pup may know may go right out the window! This is because they are trackers, and they will run and hunt until they catch their prey. If you don’t hunt with your dog, you can still allow your dog to use that hunting instinct by using treats to track. Using strong-scented treats will make your pup start sniffing to find them!

Step

Gather delicious treats

Rather than using store-bought treats, cook some boneless chicken or other meat and cut it up into small pieces. Or you can use small pieces of cheese. Your Basset Foxhound will be able to smell these very well. Put the treats in a baggie and take them outside.

Step

Create a snack a path

In your fenced-in backyard, place the treats about three feet from each other, so your dog will be able to sniff them out and go from treat to treat. The reward will be the enjoyment of the little snacks as they walk along your "snack path". Have fun creating your treat course!

Step

Nose work fun

Show your dog the first treat along the row of treats. You may even have to guide your pup along to the next snack and see if your smart fella gets the hang of it! You may not need to do this, especially if your dog does this fun activity often! It is so fun to watch your dog do their nose work!

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Agility Course

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Any Day

Moderate

Hard

1 hr

Items needed

Leash

Harness

Treats

Activity description

Agility courses are an entertaining place to spend time, especially if you are a Basset Foxhound! They provide a great deal of mental and physical challenges, and these are needed to keep your little hunter and runner happy and healthy. Agility courses are large places, sometimes enclosed in an arena-like setting, that have obstacles along the course. The dog runs, goes through an obstacle, runs some more, goes through another challenge, and so on! Dogs need to be trained how to use and cross over the obstacles, and the barriers include tunnels, hurdles, teeter-totters, cones, and more. If you feel that your Basset Foxhound would enjoy this activity, then you should check it out!

Step

Visit your veterinarian

Agility is quite the fun sport for Basset Foxhounds. It also requires a lot of stamina and strength. Before your dog begins agility training and coursework, it is essential to have your pup examined by a veterinarian. It is crucial that your agility runner is physically able to do the sport. Your veterinarian will do a complete physical examination and give you the green light if your pup is ready!

Step

Find an agility course

You can ask your dog-loving friends or your veterinarian for advice, or research online to find information on a suitable course. After choosing the agility course you like, contact the club and schedule an appointment for a visit. Also, if you have any questions beforehand, feel free to ask them! Staff members are there to answer your questions and make you feel more confident about your excellent choice of activity!

Step

Get involved

Once you are at the course with your dog, speak to a trainer about what needs to be done to get your Basset Foxhound involved. Your dog will need to begin with training, and you will need lessons, as well! Many handlers and owners run alongside their dog as they run between and tackle each obstacle. Encouragement and treats are always recommended, as is mastering one obstacle before moving on to the next. At home, set up a makeshift course to practice each week if possible.

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Obedience Training

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Any Day

Moderate

Hard

1 hr

Items needed

Harness

Leash

Activity description

For dogs that are very active, such as Basset Foxhounds, obedience training may be a good idea. For you and your dog, obedience training will help the both of you strengthen your bond, and help with creating a healthy form of doggy-discipline. From teaching the commands of "sit" and "stay" to assisting with recall, obedience training sets limits on specific behaviors. Having a well-behaved dog who respects and is loyal to you is essential, especially if you are interested in doing physical and mental activities with your pup. Fortunately, there are many trainers who offer classes, so you and your companion will be able to choose the instructor and environment that best fits your needs!

Step

Think about the needs

Your Basset Foxhound may become excited very easily and jump up on you, family members, and guests. Your pup may also chew on items other than toys, ignore your commands, or have trouble walking on a leash. Even if your companion doesn't have any major difficulties, obedience training can still improve your dog's behavior.

Step

Find a trainer

Your veterinarian, a friend, or online searching can lead you to a trainer that you and your dog feel comfortable with. Once you find a trainer, make an appointment to visit a class. While there, you can ask any questions you may have about fees, the schedule, and how long the course lasts.

Step

Attend consistently

Once your dog begins obedience training, you will find that you will need to attend each class. As a pet parent, you need to learn as well, like how to give commands and how to follow through with praise. You and your Basset Foxhound will have "homework" after each session and will need to keep practicing to be sure your companion is successfully trained.

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More Fun Ideas...

Tug of War

When played safely, tug of war is a great game you can play with your Basset Foxhound. Be sure to purchase a nice tug of war toy and only pull without tugging too hard. Keep a feel on your dog's grip and that will help you judge how hard to pull back.

Dog Walking

When your dog is not doing other activities or if your pup has a few days off from obedience class, it is important to continue the physical activity. A nice, long walk will keep your companion healthy and happy. You may choose to walk through your town or down a pretty, quiet road.

Conclusion

Basset Foxhounds have a great personality are receptive to all kinds of activities. Since they are so loyal to their owners, they love spending time with them. From a simple game of Frisbee toss to competing in agility training, Basset Foxhounds enjoy being active. With the above activities, your dog is surely going to live a content and fulfilled life. In addition to physical and mental activities like these, the Basset Foxhound is also quite happy spending some time on a cozy couch, cuddled up with the ones that are loved.