[Dailydrool] Can bassets be trained?

[Elizabeth]

Of course they can. Our first basset, the late Jane, could do all the basics, balance two biscuits at a time on her nose, and play dead. When I’d point my finger at her and say “Bang!” she’d collapse in slow motion and roll onto her side with an obvious reluctance to give up life on this earth. It was terribly dramatic. 

Our second basset, the late Elsinore, earned her Canine Good Citizen certificate, decided after five classes (a good college try) that she didn’t enjoy competitive obedience, went through several pet therapy courses (and then went on to work in a hospice), and had a blast learning Freestyle (doggie dancing). She would have gone to dance class every day if that’d been possible. 

And now our third basset, young Charlie, earned his CGC and had fun going through the pet therapy course a couple of times. Unfortunately, he decided he doesn’t want to do actual pet therapy work. He let me know this by failing the pet therapy test (three times!), deliberately not obeying the simplest commands with a merry but evil twinkle in his eye and a bounce in his step. He too took dance lessons and would love to do so again if only we could find an instructor. When he wants my attention, he’ll throw down some wicked dance moves, including some he’s made up himself. 

Early on, with our Jane, I discovered bassets only *look* slow and stupid. They are most certainly neither. Find the right motivator, and they’ll happily master anything. With our Elsinore, I discovered that formal obedience training is a wonderful way to bond with a new adoptee, learn how to communicate with each other, and sort out any “who’s in charge around here anyway?” issues before they become a big problem. The Freestyle courses taught me that my hounds love mental stimulation, and an hour of that can leave them as happily wiped out as a two-hour walk in the woods. 

Don’t let anyone tell you bassets are untrainable, because it’s just not so.

Elizabeth
linktolindsey at gmail.com