Basset Hound Behavior: Barking at Guests

There are many reasons why people choose to have a dog as a family pet. Not only are they adorable and lovable, they also protect the family to some degree by letting them know if anyone, dog or animal, has strayed onto their property or has had the audacity to walk up and knock on the door.

Most of the time, your Basset Hound will alert you to visitors by barking out a warning. In most circumstances, this behavior is not a problem and is actually desired by the dog owner. And even if it is not desired, there is not much that you can do about it since it is inherent that your pet will want to protect his territory and his family.

But some Basset Hounds take this action to the limits of their owner’s endurance by continually barking at guests and any stray cricket or squirrel that has taken up play outside a window. While you may not be able to curb your entire dog’s barking behavior, you can absolutely put it into perspective and limit it to the times that it is actually needed.

A dog who’s barking behavior is under control will likely bark when a guest has knocked on the door and remains standing outside the entryway. But once that guest has been welcomed into the home and been greeted by the dog, the dog should find something else to occupy his time. In some cases, though, your dog may continue to bark even after your guest has been welcomed into the home and seated. He may become quiet only to be stirred up again when your guest makes a sudden move or stands to use the bathroom. This barking behavior is not desirable and can be corrected.

For most Basset Hounds, simply praising the barking behavior when it is desired and reprimanding it when it is not will be enough to establish a pattern of guest greeting. Once your Basset Hound’s barks have alerted you to the fact that someone is at the door, look to your dog and praise him before you open the door. Welcome the guest into your home, and then let your dog meet the visitor.

Once all of this has been done, you need to let your Basset Hound know that the barking should stop. You can do this with a sharp verbal command, by clapping your hands and saying “enough,” or by using a shake can. Be consistent. Every time that the barking starts, deliver the appropriate command. It may take you a few weeks, but soon you will have a dog that knows how to properly greet visitors.

In some instances, your dog may be barking at visitors out of fear. You can recognize this behavior easily as it is accompanied by skulking and sudden defensive moves every time your guest gets near your Basset Hound. This type of reaction should be dealt with by crating the dog whenever a guest arrives at the house since a scared dog is prone to bite.