Why Does Your Basset Hound Destroy Your Home?

Destructive behavior in dogs is very frustrating for a pet owner. Often times, a pet owner will arrive home and burst into tears when they see just what old Fido sunk his teeth into while they were gone. Nothing is immune from attack. Clothing can be shredded, antique furniture may be whittled down to the bone, and urine may be running down the walls and your prized possessions.

If your beloved Basset Hound has done this to your home, it is understandable that you want this type of behavior to stop and to stop now. In fact, destruction is one of the main reasons why pet owners get rid of their dogs or relegate them to the backyard. And destructive behaviors can be difficult to understand. I mean, your Basset Hound is an angel when you’re home, just what happens to him after you leave?

The answer to this question is as simple as separation anxiety. Dogs are social creatures. From the moment they are born, they are surrounded by their littermates. After you bring them home, you shower them with affection and make them feel quite comfortable. So, everything is okay until the day that you decide to leave the house and put your Basset Hound into the bathroom for a few hours.

Without anyone around, your Basset Hound can become anxious. He wants out of confinement so he can get to you. This will result in him scratching at the walls and tearing angrily at anything that he can get his teeth and claws into. Older dogs may even become angry at you for leaving and attack your personal belongings. What you’re left with is a mess. And your pet may actually injure himself in these fits of anxiety.

To reduce separation anxiety, you need to reassure your pet that you will always come back to him when you leave. You can do this by leaving him confined for five minutes and coming back to check on him. If he has done well, shower him with affection and maybe even a treat. Keep increasing the time that you are away until you can safely leave for longer periods of time.

If you must be away from the home, the best way to confine your Basset Hound and keep him from destroying your house is to place him in a crate. Crates not only protect your personal belongings from destruction, they also protect your best friend from being injured. As a matter of fact, you should always use a crate when you cannot give your puppy 100% supervision.

And never think that you can leave your puppy out of the crate because you will only be gone for a few minutes. Destruction and injury can happen very quickly. Also never whip or scold your puppy when you come home and find that he has not behaved. He will never connect your temper tantrum to his destructive behavior. Acting aggressively toward your Basset Hound will only make him not trust and respect you, and that could lead to a whole host of other behavioral problems.