Are Basset Hounds Hard To Potty Train

Basset Hounds: The Long, Low, Potty Training Challenge

Alright, let's talk about those long-eared, short-legged, potty-training-challenged cuties - Basset Hounds! You know, the ones who look like they're perpetually on a mission to sniff out the best sausage in town.

First things first, why are Basset Hounds so darn hard to potty train? Well, it's not because they're lazy (they're not, they're just... efficient with their energy). No, it's all about their nose, their curiosity, and their, ahem, stubbornness.

Nose Knows Best

Basset Hounds have a nose that's about 10,000 times stronger than ours. That's right, they can sniff out a single drop of pee in a swimming pool. So, when they're on a scent trail, they're not thinking about their bladder, they're thinking, "Ooh, what's that delicious smell?"

And forget about those fancy, high-tech doggy doors. Bassets are more likely to use them as a launchpad for their next great adventure than as a convenient exit to the great outdoors.

Curiosity Killed the Potty Training

Basset Hounds are curious creatures. They're like tiny, furry detectives, always on the case. So, when they're supposed to be doing their business, they're more likely to be investigating that weird rustling leaf or chasing after that mysterious, invisible squirrel.

Remember, to a Basset, every smell is a clue, every sound is a suspect. And they're not about to drop their pants mid-investigation.

Stubborn as a Mule

Bassets are known for their stubborn streak. They're not going to do something just because you tell them to. No, they need a good reason. And "because I said so" isn't going to cut it.

But here's the thing, they're not being difficult on purpose. They're just trying to make sense of the world. They want to understand why they should do something, and until they do, they're not budging.

How To Potty Train Basset Hound Puppy at Ida Wheeler blog

So, How Do You Potty Train a Basset Hound?

First, you need to speak their language. Bassets are food-motivated, so use their favorite treats as rewards. But be warned, they'll try to outsmart you. They'll be like, "Oh, you want me to go potty? Here, have a treat."

Next, make it a game. Bassets love games. Turn potty time into a fun adventure. Make them think they're solving a mystery or playing a game of hide and seek.

And finally, be patient. Bassets are smart, they just learn at their own pace. Don't rush them, don't get frustrated. Remember, they're not being difficult, they're just trying to figure things out.

Quirky Facts to Make You Laugh (and Cry)

Did you know that Basset Hounds can smell so well that they can detect the equivalent of a single teaspoon of sugar in a million gallons of water? That's like you being able to smell a single drop of water in an Olympic-sized swimming pool!

And here's a fun fact that'll make you laugh (or cry, depending on your potty training progress): Basset Hounds can live up to 12 years without ever learning to go potty outside. Okay, that's not true. But it sure feels like it sometimes!

So, there you have it. Basset Hounds are a lot of things - stubborn, curious, food-loving, sausage-sniffing detectives. But they're also incredibly lovable, and with a bit of patience and a lot of treats, they can learn to go potty outside. Just don't expect them to do it in a hurry.