About my basset hound - opinion and advice?

Question

many people said that beagles and bassets are dogs who cannot be off the chain coz they will escape for sure and never come back.i know this is not true, coz i was talking with one woman who has beagles, and she said that her beagle, when walking in woods, she gets her of a chain, and she goes and runs and sniffs, but the dog always checks where her family is.

i believe that if u have a good relationship with ur dog and the dog loves u he will always be careful and try to not get lost.

i am really asking a question about my basset puppy.i go with her to my grandma house almost every day coz she has huge yard.and when i go there with abba and let her of the chain she runs around me, then she goes to the left, right, bu as im walking she is always running back to me.and if she goes in the garden, an im by the house, if i call her, she always reacts.and yesterday i went into my grandma house, and closed the door (she was outside),i thought she will run like h**l, but she waited for me by door for 5 minutes, until i got out.

my question is, is that a good sign, does that mean that i have good enough relationship with my dog, and that one day i could trust her and let her run little in woods while we are on walks?

Answer 1

Yes, I think that is a good sign, but never their good behavior for granted.  My Blue dog (he's a basset as well) is great in the woods off the leash.  But sometimes he doesn't always listen, selective hearing.  Its especially difficult if we encounter another dog, or people on the trails.   Keep practicing her listening skills.

Answer 2

Puppies have a natural following instinct that wears off as they mature.

I do walk my Bassets off leash (in safe areas), however I am able to do that because I have been TRAINING them from day one, and even then I don't trust them until they are about 2 years old, and even then I am keeping a sharp eye out for anything that might cause them to run off, so I can call them in before they see it.

Answer 3

Yes, bassets do tend to wander if they are loose.  If you are with her while she is off the leash then she will most likely stay with you.  The problem is when they get out of their yard, or get loose somehow.  Then they tend to follow any and all scents they pick up and are more concerned with tracking the scent than trying to get back home.  I know people who live in the country and let their bassets run.  They do wander but always come back.  I wouldn't recommend letting them just wander where ever they want, there is much more chance of them getting hurt or something bad happening to them that way.  

But to answer your question, I think she would probably stay with you as long as you are right there.

Answer 4

It seems like she trusts you and wants to stay with you.

You could try teaching her to come to you when you whistle and give her a little treat (such as a small biscuit or titbit) when she does it.

That way when you are in the woods she will come back to you when you whistle because she will know she is getting a little treat.

Answer 5

Ina, I like the look of a basset hound. They are so cute.