How Do You Train A Basset Hound Puppy To Fetch A Squeaky Toy?
Contrary to popular belief, puppies do not instinctively know how to fetch. Basset hounds were bred to dig up and kill small animals, so a basset puppy will be more likely to grab a squeaky toy and rip it to shreds rather than bring it back to the thrower. Squeaky toys sound similar to the squeaks of small rodents, so hearing the squeak may trigger the puppy to start ripping the toy apart (or “killing” it.) But it is possible to use clicker training to teach a basset puppy to fetch a squeaky toy instead of “killing” it. Get the training area ready. Bring the treats and the clicker. Bring the puppy indoors to a small, quiet room. You are now going to train the basset puppy to realize that whenever there is a click sound, it’s soon followed by a treat. Press on the clicker to make a “click” sound. Immediately give the puppy a treat. Repeat until the puppy is looking expectantly for the treat as soon as he hears the click. If the puppy already knows how to sit or lie down, have the puppy
