Introducing a new dog into our *zoo*

[caeden&connersmom]

We are contemplating getting another dog. We found an adorable Basset at a Basset rescue, she is 2 and appears (from the emails to the rescue and our household) that she would be a good fit.

We have a 15 year old female mix (Think short haired corgi/shepard/chow), 3 cats ranging from 4 - 16 years old, our 5 year old son and our 2 year old son (And a 13 year old stepson that spends summers with us)

Wondering the best way to intergrate a new dog to our house of chaos : My dh stays home with the boys and I work all day. She would gets lots of attention (My kids are total animal lovers), we live on 3 acres of land plus border my parents 17 acres, so lots and lots of room.

My current dog is very non aggresive, she visits with my stepfathers Lab when they come up with no problems. The rescue also told me the Basset would do really good with a leader type dog, which mine is.

Anyway, hints, suggestions about how to introduce a new dog into the household would be appreciated!!

[thekimballs]

Bassets are generally lovely dogs, and hounds typically integrate well into pack situations (they are pack dogs and not solitary). Let the older dog rule the roost and don't stop the older dog from making her dominance known (expect major growling, even some unsolicited attacks from the older dog; don't interfere unless the older dog is actually hurting--and by that I mean drawing blood from--the younger one. Yipping and yelling is OK).

Supervise all interaction with the kids. Limit the kid interaction for a few days until the new dog gets used to things, then (with supervision) let the kids start to love on him as much as they want. Just keep a very close eye on things for a while.

I expect new dogs to be a little wonky (or sometimes gooder than gold, fooling you into complacency) for about a month. After a month is up, I start to see the true colors of the dog come through. That has never been bad--just sometimes a dog on his best behavior will start chewing or digging, or maybe a dog who had been scared will relax. It's not like new bad aggressive behaviors suddenly show up.

Ummm, trying to think of more stuff... Oh, DO NOT let your Basset off-leash unless he is in a fenced yard. I mean it. Not even once. Also, destructive digging is common in this breed--it's their job. So watch out for digging under your fence, and be ready with concrete blocks or whatever to block the holes.

The only special needs Bassets have, other than never letting them off-leash, is that they get overweight easily (and even a few pounds is really bad for these guys) and that you may have skin issues (yeast, staph) in the wrinkles. Learn about their grooming and get in the habit of nightly rub-downs where you're also checking ears, neck skin, leg skin, and belly. And don't be afraid of exercise--Bassets are so calm in the house that you get the idea that they should be like ficus trees and never run. In fact, they're capable little hunters (that's why you never let them off-leash) and should get as much exercise as you can give them outside.

[caeden&connersmom]

Good tips!

My dh had a Basset when we first got married, but it escaped and even with posters and ads in the paper, we never found her

We currently have a dog run for our dog, so Im trying to figure out if I let them use the same one at different times or bite the bullter and put up a small fanced area.

I love to walk with the boys so she would get lots of exercise!!

Do they always have the urge to run? I so want a dog we can let outside WITH us that wont take off (Our dog now gets out and just books it to the field and does NOT listen) VS my parents Lab who goes everywhere with them off leash. Wonder if that behavior could be trained?

Thanks again!