Keeping Your Hound Safe


Maya at home with her mom Molly at 6 weeks old.


My mommy Molly and all my sisters and brother!


Just as you would “childproof” your home against dangers lurking about, Basset Hound owners should “pet proof” their homes. Our Basset Hounds “Max” and “Maya”, like your pet, is just like a young child; naturally curious and loves to explore their surroundings with their nose, paws and mouth. They do not know the difference between something dangerous or not. With the following tips, you too can have a safe haven to ensure that your Basset has a long and happy accident free life. Too help you out in case of an accident, I would recommend that you invest in an Insurance program. You can never be too careful! Make sure that all your windows, around the house, are screened in. Try to keep your pet off high decks and balconies. Remember that pretty plant on the edge of your patio may be an invite to an accidental poisoning. Elephant ears, spider plants and dieffenbachia, to name a few, can be deadly! If it is the holidays, Poinsettias, Holly and Mistletoe are poisonous as well. Young pets, especially Basset Hounds, will chew on anything while teething. Hide those electric cords or unplug, when not in use. Your pet, just like our Max will eat an extension cord because it is there and they can. Usually 110 volts will not kill your pet, just give it a shocking experience, of which they will do again; cover it up and if it is the holidays; icicles, glass ornaments and light bulbs are tempting. Hang them higher! Do not leave a room with a space heater on while your pet is in the room; remove the pet or unplug the heater to ensure your house won’t burn down and your Fido will be safe. Plastic bags from the grocery store or garbage bags are not play toys; they can and will kill. If you’re Basset can put it in their mouth, they will. Max likes to pick up anything small to chew on. On the command “Drop!” he will release larger objects like moms shoe but anything smaller than a toothpick; he hides rather well. Opening his mouth will revile nothing but teeth and tongue. Bassets are known for rolling their tongue back and hiding an object under it. Guess where you’re looking now? Following the trail of objects on our floor, a ball here, a stuffed toy there, a stick and something chewed beyond recognition, we have found Max in the garage. One of my kids, excuse me, young adults have, left the door open. If you own a cat, one of Max’s toys, make sure before you drive off; honk. Cats like warm engines. I once took a cat to work with me… Antifreeze and windshield washer fluids are like candy to an animal. It is sweet; they will eat and if not rushed to a veterinarian immediately; death is emanated. Shoeing Max back out of the garage, he enters his favorite place, next to the kitchen; the laundry room. Just because it smells bad, like bleach, ammonia and some detergents; keep out of reach, they will sniff or eat it. What smells bad to you may be a treat to them. If you own a cat, make sure its litter box has a cover on it or keep that hound away. It may not hurt them but just the thought of Max or Maya picking out the cat droppings and consuming them and then giving me a doggy kiss is, well, disgusting.



Naming Your Dog!

Max, Buster, Jake. Maggie, Muffin, Princess, Maya. Yes, these are among the most popular dog names this year. Maybe Princess is a Rottweiler, and perhaps Buster is a mix. Muffin might be a petite Pomeranian or a muscular Boxer, who knows? Does it really matter? What's in a name? Turns out, that yes, it does. There's both a science and an art to dog naming. The name you give your dog has repercussions for you and your dog - it has an impact on training, perception, behavior, and more.

Emotions influence behavior. So, what's in a name; that would you rather pet, a Boxer called Bruise or the one called Troy? Don't be surprised if people back away from both of you in the dog park as you call out, "Bruise, come here!”  We repeat our dog's names often, and this repetition will have an effect, especially unconsciously - whether it's good or bad.

Give your dog a name he can grow into, eventually fitting his role and life stage. There are more direct effects a name can have on your dog, particularly in regards to training. The structure of sound can play a large role. Hard consonants like D, K, and P crackle with energy across many frequencies. Names, especially short one-syllable names with these letters (and sounds) are great for getting your dog's attention; far better than softer vowels and their accompanying softer sounds. In fact, this is why clickers work so well in training.

While one-syllable names with hard consonants are great, there's much to be said for two-syllable names. It's almost as if the first syllable alerts your dog to the second, which can be very effective. Two-syllable names also make for more iterations of your dog's name. You can get an affectionate nickname, a training name, and a stern name out of most two-syllable names. Very versatile, indeed Try the above with a name that's under consideration. I'll use "MAX.”  We have our training name (Max), a nickname (Maxine), and a "grab-her-attention-now" name (Maximilian!). Works, doesn't?

Maya was born on October 8, 2007 with seven other siblings. Molly, the Mom gave birth to seven of us girls and one male. You know what they say, “girls rule, and boys drool.” Max cannot wait until his new companion and friend comes home to stay.

I was born at The Barking Barn, here in Florida.
 
If you want more info about all my brothers and sisters, mom, dad, or our breeders, check out this special place here 
at my home in Florida.