Even though the Basset Hound is one of the most popular, fun loving breeds for families as well as affectionate, they are the worst ones chosen for, willing and fast dog obedience training-not intelligence, mind you-but fast. The reason a person will never get quick and fast results from a Basset, is because they do not want to learn unless they have a good reason to. The dog trainer or owner needs to show the “why” and the “need” for learning, and make it fun for them to get their attention. Anyone who has attempted to train a Basset will recognize this fact instantly.

Before beginning a strong dog obedience-training schedule with the Basset, you need to be in the right mindset as well as having a good respect for the breed may be the first big step to conquer. Once this is achieved, the wisdom of obedience training this reluctant dog breed will be made much easier, along with the understanding of how they think and why they do what they do coming into play.

Once you understand the intelligence level of your Basset, along with recognizing that different rules may need to apply to the particular dog training style, both the trainer and the “trainee” will be ready to go-eagerly and happily. However, it will be challenging and hard work, even with these preliminary steps already accomplished. This breed is stubborn and mule-headed once it is on the hunt.

Patience during dog obedience training is vital to success. Although you think, your dog may be smart their mental capacity is quite small. There will be many times during the training process of even the most willing dog when your self-control will reach its limit. The temptation to lose your temper will be almost irresistible, but you must never give in.

Those who know the breed know from experience that no matter how much the dog loves them, once on a hunt the dog will take off and never turn around to see if you are following. LOTS of tolerance while maintaining a steady and loving manner will work wonders with any breed, but this breed requires it along with persistence, sheer determination, common sense, and love.

Common sense refers to not expecting unreasonable results from your dog and do not try to force him/her to do something that is beyond their ability. Always know the end goal of a dog obedience training session and keep focused. When you notice that repetition of a new command is not working than take a step back to the part of the lesson they did learn. When your dog is confident in that part of the lesson then begin again only more slowly and keep it simple. In other words, take baby steps to the next dog obedience-training lesson.

The Basset is a natural pack animal, along with being a “team member”-as long as it is fun. Fun desiring, along with being lazy enough to want nothing but to sleep and lie around, is where the challenge will come in. The effort to get this breed off the floor or couch, while recognizing it will be fun to do what you want is the goal. To accomplish that, become the alpha dog, the leader, the boss, the one who does the commanding and will not give up. Once this is established, then dog obedience training will progress in a successful direction to develop one of the most wonderful companions known on earth, and one of the most trusting breeds around.