Many adopted bassets may have anxieties based on previous owner treatment or abuse of them. With patient commitment and love, your
basset can be helped.
The first anxiety we want to discuss is noise – fear of storms and other loud noises. It is that time of year for heavy thunder storms. We
aren’t sure why a basset may not have had fear one year but may this year. We do know that some storm and noise fears happen with age
as hearing begins to deteriorate. It is important to prepare before storms in order to help your basset get through the fears. Your basset
will begin to pace, whine, pant, drool, and try to get you to do something.
Most of the time owners try to comfort their basset but find it very difficult to do and the owner is left feeling stressed as well. One way
my owner helped my sister seemed to really do the trick. Lucy was terrified of storms. Finally the Veterinarian prescribed medication.
The medication needed to be given at least 1 hour prior to the storm. Remember we bassets are low ground huggers and feel vibrations
of storms long before people see them coming. There were some days the storm never really came but Lucy would be all drugged up.
There is nothing sadder than bassets on drugs. Lucy would also get worked up again as storms kept coming and the drug was wearing
off. This created a bit of confusion for her and mom. Eventually mom just started staying up for the night storms. Mom and Lucy would
go to the sewing room, pull the curtains, turn on the television, open the closet door behind her and begin to do ironing. She did not try
to comfort Lucy but rather just do regular things. This soothed Lucy. She would sit behind mom as she ironed lying partially in the closet
and fall asleep. This was a big change from all the other things they tried. One night a really severe storm approached. Mom even went
ahead an lit oil lamps in case of lights going out. She did have a battery radio for music on back up should the television go out too. The
wind was very strong, lightening flashing constantly but we could not see that with blinds pulled and lights on. Then we heard a crash
and the ground even shook. Lucy just slept right through this as a big oak tree top had fallen right outside their window. From that time
on, the routine for storms was going to this room and carrying on regular everyday routines. Mom says she used to try to calm Lucy, take
her to a bathroom where not as many windows and even to sit in a hallway. Of course Mom would be a bit sleepy the next day but Lucy
was not upset.
Mom even had another breed of dog long before Lucy. Ginger was only 2 when her fear of storms began and she even had her mama
next to her. Ginger managed to get out of a metal crate and chew through an unfinished basement wall. They used medications for her
as well but Ginger seemed to just want to be with our mom and all was fine.
There are methods to help desensitize your pets that can work fairly well too. The idea here is to create the storm but in a way that you
control the noise and what goes on. We don’t want to show too much attention to the basset when the fear begins because it
encourages more of this behavior as a way of getting you to do what they want. There are many instrumental tapes or CD’s on the market
which have a gentle storm in the background of instrumental soft music. These are great to use to help you work through the fear. When
the storm part of the music begins, you will already have your routine set up. We know the music will not play as long as a real storm.
Create your safe place and go to work, or watch television. The music can then be turned up a little more each time. Observe the actions
of your basset at this time.
You may also find products such as Rescue Remedy or Comfort Zone, which contain natural ingredients and pheromones, may help
reduce stress – all stresses. These can be purchased from a large pet supply center. They are found in a variety of delivery systems.
There is a spray, a slow release plug in and even a pill. Before giving any oral medication, please check with your veterinarian first. This
is so important when your basset has medical issues and on medications. Never assume “ over the counter” medications are always
safe. We do not know how it will react with medications your basset is taking.
Some trainers have methods which can be taught to owners to help as well. Trainers do a lot more than tell you how to get your basset to
sit. You can find trainers/behaviorists listed in the yellow pages but do not forget to simply talk to your Veterinarian as they often have
names for your specific area.
Other anxieties which cause many of the already mentioned symptoms may also include behavior problems like chewing on things they
shouldn’t have. They may also become irritable or lick their paws until sores form. They simply do not understand why they feel the way
they do and will keep busy doing something. For many humans this becomes overeating or bad habits. See, we aren’t so different
really!!
Before ending this article, we want to also remind everyone that dogs do not need to be a part of the July 4th celebration – except maybe
the grilling outside!! All dogs have sensitive ears – we can hear a whistle that humans can’t!! For some dogs, hearing fireworks may
bring on the Fear of Storms. Your basset is far better to stay at home to sleep while you go to the displays. And, bassets do not need to
be around other areas where food can be found and eaten. Sometimes what seems like fun becomes a huge clean up job in the lawn.
Remember, your basset is watching for your reaction. If you become nervous, upset and over concerned, your basset feels this and will
react accordingly. Stress is hard to understand and owners become very frustrated as they try to address all of these concerns. It is
important that we not push too hard as this could add to the problem
Good Luck to all this summer. Be cool, be safe and be happy.
Miss Ruby
basset can be helped.
The first anxiety we want to discuss is noise – fear of storms and other loud noises. It is that time of year for heavy thunder storms. We
aren’t sure why a basset may not have had fear one year but may this year. We do know that some storm and noise fears happen with age
as hearing begins to deteriorate. It is important to prepare before storms in order to help your basset get through the fears. Your basset
will begin to pace, whine, pant, drool, and try to get you to do something.
Most of the time owners try to comfort their basset but find it very difficult to do and the owner is left feeling stressed as well. One way
my owner helped my sister seemed to really do the trick. Lucy was terrified of storms. Finally the Veterinarian prescribed medication.
The medication needed to be given at least 1 hour prior to the storm. Remember we bassets are low ground huggers and feel vibrations
of storms long before people see them coming. There were some days the storm never really came but Lucy would be all drugged up.
There is nothing sadder than bassets on drugs. Lucy would also get worked up again as storms kept coming and the drug was wearing
off. This created a bit of confusion for her and mom. Eventually mom just started staying up for the night storms. Mom and Lucy would
go to the sewing room, pull the curtains, turn on the television, open the closet door behind her and begin to do ironing. She did not try
to comfort Lucy but rather just do regular things. This soothed Lucy. She would sit behind mom as she ironed lying partially in the closet
and fall asleep. This was a big change from all the other things they tried. One night a really severe storm approached. Mom even went
ahead an lit oil lamps in case of lights going out. She did have a battery radio for music on back up should the television go out too. The
wind was very strong, lightening flashing constantly but we could not see that with blinds pulled and lights on. Then we heard a crash
and the ground even shook. Lucy just slept right through this as a big oak tree top had fallen right outside their window. From that time
on, the routine for storms was going to this room and carrying on regular everyday routines. Mom says she used to try to calm Lucy, take
her to a bathroom where not as many windows and even to sit in a hallway. Of course Mom would be a bit sleepy the next day but Lucy
was not upset.
Mom even had another breed of dog long before Lucy. Ginger was only 2 when her fear of storms began and she even had her mama
next to her. Ginger managed to get out of a metal crate and chew through an unfinished basement wall. They used medications for her
as well but Ginger seemed to just want to be with our mom and all was fine.
There are methods to help desensitize your pets that can work fairly well too. The idea here is to create the storm but in a way that you
control the noise and what goes on. We don’t want to show too much attention to the basset when the fear begins because it
encourages more of this behavior as a way of getting you to do what they want. There are many instrumental tapes or CD’s on the market
which have a gentle storm in the background of instrumental soft music. These are great to use to help you work through the fear. When
the storm part of the music begins, you will already have your routine set up. We know the music will not play as long as a real storm.
Create your safe place and go to work, or watch television. The music can then be turned up a little more each time. Observe the actions
of your basset at this time.
You may also find products such as Rescue Remedy or Comfort Zone, which contain natural ingredients and pheromones, may help
reduce stress – all stresses. These can be purchased from a large pet supply center. They are found in a variety of delivery systems.
There is a spray, a slow release plug in and even a pill. Before giving any oral medication, please check with your veterinarian first. This
is so important when your basset has medical issues and on medications. Never assume “ over the counter” medications are always
safe. We do not know how it will react with medications your basset is taking.
Some trainers have methods which can be taught to owners to help as well. Trainers do a lot more than tell you how to get your basset to
sit. You can find trainers/behaviorists listed in the yellow pages but do not forget to simply talk to your Veterinarian as they often have
names for your specific area.
Other anxieties which cause many of the already mentioned symptoms may also include behavior problems like chewing on things they
shouldn’t have. They may also become irritable or lick their paws until sores form. They simply do not understand why they feel the way
they do and will keep busy doing something. For many humans this becomes overeating or bad habits. See, we aren’t so different
really!!
Before ending this article, we want to also remind everyone that dogs do not need to be a part of the July 4th celebration – except maybe
the grilling outside!! All dogs have sensitive ears – we can hear a whistle that humans can’t!! For some dogs, hearing fireworks may
bring on the Fear of Storms. Your basset is far better to stay at home to sleep while you go to the displays. And, bassets do not need to
be around other areas where food can be found and eaten. Sometimes what seems like fun becomes a huge clean up job in the lawn.
Remember, your basset is watching for your reaction. If you become nervous, upset and over concerned, your basset feels this and will
react accordingly. Stress is hard to understand and owners become very frustrated as they try to address all of these concerns. It is
important that we not push too hard as this could add to the problem
Good Luck to all this summer. Be cool, be safe and be happy.
Miss Ruby
Ask Miss Ruby D.............
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