Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well i figured i would introduce myself because i figure ill be on here getting tips etc about training health etc

First off, my girlfriend and i own 7 snakes. We have both owned dogs in the past, my G.F. had a Jack Russel, and i had a large mut. She recently (today) drove 6 hours to pick up a cute 8 month old Basset hound free of charge! His name is Goofy and he is very lovable. He is very large (bigger then i thought an 8 month old Basset Hound should be! But he isn't obese, he is very fit. and VERY active! He will soon be getting Fixed.

We are moving into a new house with some friends, The house is very pet friendly. they have 2 other dogs and three cats. The dogs are a Beagle and a Australian cattle dog. they have a fenced in backyard that the dogs play in during the day when nobody is home. So i think he will be set as far as that goes.

Ok now my main question. The barking! He gets very exited and when he gets exited, or starts playing he barks. . a lot. . and loudly. . How do we get him to stop doing this without some sort of negative punishment? He thinks everyone is his friend so he runs around and barks and cats etc How do i deal with this? I understand training with food is good for getting him to do what you want, but how do you get him to stop doing what you don't want? Training tips please!!!

Anyhoo ill prolly find more questions to ask as this dog is rampaging in my house. But without further waiting, here are the PICS!

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Russ
1.0 Basset Hound (Goofy)
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Apollo)
1.0 Columbian Rainbow Boa (Odin)
1.0 Guyana Red-Tail Boa (Ares)
0.1 Pastel Salmon Boa (Minerva)
0.1 Rosy Boa (Athena)

Melbourne, Fl

I don't have a Basset Hound but have seen them around the area and they do have sort of unique bark to them. Other than using positive reinforcment with him I'm not sure what advice to offer but you're right to never use negative reinforcement. He is a great looking pup and from what I know, Bassets are very gentle dogs and learn quickly so getting him to lessen the barking with some time and patience shouldn't be to difficult. Hopefully a Basset owner will happen by with some advice for you.
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Bob

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Two book recommendations: "Don't Shoot the Dog" and Dr. Ian Dunbar's "Serious Puppy Training"

Both books will illustrate positive ways to channel normal dog behavior into appropriate manners in a positive way.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

Goofy is very cute! The barking is a hound thing. . . I used to have a beagle, and his nickname was "woofer." The books that Chelle mentioned should be helpful, but Goofy will still likely bark in certain situations. It's part of who he is. Have fun with him.