How to Train a Basset Hound Puppy to Fetch a Toy

Basset hound puppies are notorious for being exceptionally slow, stubborn and hard to train. As a member of the hound family, though, your basset hound puppy has a very keen sense of smell and a die-hard love of chasing anything that moves. Training your basset hound puppy to fetch a toy is a simple matter of harnessing its instincts and love of the chase.

Things You'll Need

  • Ball
  • Peanut butter
  • Treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place your basset hound puppy in the living room floor. Sit down with it and use a treat to lead the puppy around in circles to engage its interest. Use an excited tone of voice to hype your basset hound puppy up.

    • 2

      Show your basset hound puppy the toy. Wave and wiggle it close to the floor. Your basset hound puppy will instinctively pounce and try to capture the ball. Move on when the puppy is very excited and happy.

    • 3

      Roll the ball away from you along the floor. Your basset hound puppy will instinctively chase anything that moves and will chase the ball. Encourage it to pick up the ball and bring it back with a high-pitched, excited tone.

    • 4

      Smear the ball with a bit of peanut butter if your basset hound puppy shows no interest. This will enable your puppy's exceptionally sharp sense of smell to change its attitude.

    • 5

      Crouch down low to the floor once your puppy chases the ball and picks it up. Use a high-pitched, excited voice to call your basset hound puppy back to you. Your open, low body language will funnel your puppy close to you.

    • 6

      Offer the puppy a treat in exchange for its ball once it gets close to you. Don't give the treat until the puppy gives you the ball.