I have a Basset Hound. We got her from the Humane Society. She is mixed with something but we don't know what. She is almost a year old. She is an awesome watch dog but she watches a little too much. She will bark at anybody she sees and with us living in town, well.... She is a very calm dog especially for still being a puppy. I know Bassets are know for being vocal but she barks way too much. When I take her for walks she barks at every person she sees and cars that drive by her too. She has been around public and strangers very often in and out of our house; but she seems nervous around people when they get close and I don't get it. We have a 4 year old daughter whom she is not skiddish around so she is used to kids. We don't hit her either.
She was about 8 wks. old when we brought her home so she wasn't exposed to a bad previous home environment. She is awesome around other dogs. We have another puppy she romps with and she gets a lot of attention and long daily walks. She is generically stubborn for being a Basset and loyal. She is really smart too. She would make an awesome show dog if only she were pure bread or hunting dog; but thats not my thing. (just to give a little of her personality)
So my question is how do I get her to bark only when appropriate (since I know she does need to talk and we do like the guard dog personality) and to be comfortable around all people; especially when I am so she's not picking up a vibe from me?
She was about 8 wks. old when we brought her home so she wasn't exposed to a bad previous home environment. She is awesome around other dogs. We have another puppy she romps with and she gets a lot of attention and long daily walks. She is generically stubborn for being a Basset and loyal. She is really smart too. She would make an awesome show dog if only she were pure bread or hunting dog; but thats not my thing. (just to give a little of her personality)
So my question is how do I get her to bark only when appropriate (since I know she does need to talk and we do like the guard dog personality) and to be comfortable around all people; especially when I am so she's not picking up a vibe from me?