[Dailydrool] (no subject)

[dpmcquade at juno.com]

<<Seriously!  We love the guy so much, would never give him up, but I'm considering a baby gate for the kitchen entrance!  This is INSANE.  I'm missing a stick of butter - paper and all!  He devours toothbrushes as if they were peanut butter, pulls the chips out of the pantry (can manipulate the door open) and sticks his entire head in the bag!>>

Just about all of us who own OEBE hounds and a few who don't can give you our experiences in this area.

Get a gate--and not just one that stays in by pressure. Get one of the serious, screw-in type (again I speak from experience). Spend the time to put it in securely. You will never be sorry. And keep the gate closed almost constantly.

For items that are not in the kitchen, place them atop your highest furniture. I'm talking the top of the bookcases here. If you have a cat that likes to whack things onto the floor, make sure he can't get at them.

If you have a flat-topped gas stove, make sure the next one has grates all over the top--they will keep your counter cruiser at bay. If you have one, you can put things at the back of the stove fairly safely.

And never, ever, underestimate how high a determined basset can jump. Our Jane will keep bouncing until she reaches the desired object. She could even get to the back of our old stove (thus the new grated stove).

As for garbage pails, make certain that anything with food in it is up high (ours is on the back of the clothes dryer).

Also remember to pick up socks, underwear, toys and any other possibly tasty item (for the dog, not you, of course). Anything with your scent on it is likely to be intoxicating to a hound. Remember, bassets live for their noses. You cannot retrain this, since it's hardwired into their brains. Trying to do so will only frustrate everyone involved.

Yes, you will get used to this new way of life. And no, you won't have to get rid of the hound. We have three--only one counter cruiser, thankfully. We have never given up a hound. But we do pay attention to them and protect against their depredations.
Pam, with Drew, the well-trained slave to the Dashing Bassets, especially Lady Jane, the counter cruiser par excellence who also loves butter, especially whole tubs of it.


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