My Basset Hound and I have a strong bond. We both enjoy each other’s company so much. And seeing us, a friend of mine decided to get a basset too. However, she lives alone and has a 9 to 5 job. So her obvious question was, Can Basset Hounds be left alone?
You can leave your basset hound alone for 3 to 4 hours daily. However, leaving them alone for 6 hours while you are at work is not advisable. It can lead to separation anxiety which can cause destructive behavior such as barking and chewing. Basset Hound puppies aged below 12 months should not be left alone for more than 2 to 3 hours.
In this article, we will learn how to teach your Basset to be alone while you are out without stressing them out and what are some alternative methods to solve this problem.
Why can’t Basset Hounds be alone for a longer period?
Before answering the question, let us first understand the breed’s characteristics.
Basset Hounds are hunting dogs. They were bred specifically to hunt with other hounds in packs and with their human masters. Their history makes them highly social, and they thrive in the company of other dogs and humans.
Also, they are extremely intelligent dogs and need plenty of mental stimulation. If you leave your Basset Hounds alone for prolonged periods, they could develop anxiety.
They may even become destructive, indulging in behaviors like indoor soiling, tearing up your bed linen, and chewing up your slippers or furniture. Basset Hounds are also quite vocal and tend to bark or howl when left alone.
Basset Hounds enjoy the company of their humans- both kids and adults. They love following them around and prefer having company rather than being left alone.
Therefore, it may be best not to leave them alone for prolonged periods. If needed, you could hire a pet sitter or a dog walker to come over and check on your pet.
How Long Can Basset Hounds Be Left Alone?
A well-fed, well-exercised adult Basset Hound can be left alone for 4 hours – no more. Before you start leaving your Basset Hound alone, make sure you train them to stay alone, starting with short durations. You can then slowly increase the duration until your pet is comfortable staying alone for up to 4 hours.
If your Basset has severe separation anxiety or your neighbors mention that your Basset Hound keeps crying or barking all the while that you’re gone, you may want to reduce the duration.
If possible, hire a pet sitter to watch your Basset Hound or enroll your dog in pet daycare. You could also consider adopting another dog (preferably another Basset Hound) to give your furbaby some much-needed company! Naturally, you might want to socialize both dogs first to ensure there are no fights!
Basset Hound puppies should not be left home alone for more than 2-3 hours. Remember: puppies have small bladders that need to be relieved more frequently. They can’t hold their urine as long as adult dogs can. So, make sure you have someone come over to relieve your Basset Hound puppy every 4 hours. This is especially crucial when house-training your pup.
How to Train a Basset Hound Puppy to Stay Alone?
You can train your Basset Hound puppy to stay alone using the following steps:
- Start by leaving your puppy alone for 10 minutes in one room while you work in another room.
- You may also crate-train your tail-wagger simultaneously; a crate provides a safe place for your Basset to rest and also assists you with housetraining your pup.
- Add plenty of toys in the crate so your pup has something to do.
- Praise and treat your pet lavishly each time you get back. This will help your Basset look forward to staying alone.
- Slowly increase the duration of crating – from 5 minutes to 10 minutes, to 30 minutes, and so on until your Basset is comfortable staying alone for up to 2-3 hours. Make sure to let your Basset go potty before crating. Always ensure that your dog is well-exercised and well-fed before crating them for the day.
Remember: young pups below 12 months should not be left alone for more than 4 hours each day.
Is it Better to Have Two Basset Hounds?
Bassets are pack animals, and they love having the company of their own kind. Therefore, it may be a great idea to have two Basset Hounds.
Not only will you get twice the amount of love and affection, but your dogs will also provide each other company. This can help prevent boredom, loneliness, and anxiety in both pets.
Naturally, getting two dogs is a big decision, one that you must not get into lightly. You will want to consider your resources in terms of your finances, time, and energy. Since Bassets live for 10-12 years, this can be a huge commitment.
Naturally, if your Basset Hound is showing severe anxiety at being left alone day after day, you could consider getting another Basset to provide them company. Do consider your dog’s age, temperament, and also the training and socialization both dogs have undergone. This will help you make the right decision.
FAQs – Can Basset Hounds Be Left Alone?
How long can Basset Hounds hold their pee?
Healthy adult Bassets may need to pee every 4-6 hours, although dogs with health issues might need more frequent potty breaks. Young puppies below the age of 12 months need to empty their bladder every hour.
Are Basset Hounds good with being alone?
Mostly, Bassets aren’t good pets for people who work out of their homes for prolonged periods or travel frequently. As such, no dog breed must be left alone for over 8 hours a day.
11 hours – is it too long to leave a Basset Hound alone?
Yes, no dog should be left alone for over 8 hours as doing so could trigger stress and anxiety in them. Consider boarding your dog or leaving it with a trusted relative or friend.
Conclusion
Basset Hounds over the age of 12 months can be trained to be left alone for 4-6 hours. However, you must not leave a puppy under 12 months alone for more than 2-3 hours. If needed, you could consider hiring a pet sitter or even getting another dog to give your pet company.