Hi we are getting a new family member of an older bassett from rescue as a companion for our jack cross,can anyone give us any advice on the older bassett,settling him in etc.?

Hi mothergoose, we have just taken on an older rescued samoyed and we already had 2 dogs. We introduced the dogs by taking a short walk before they were allowed to interact with each other in our garden. Our alaskan malamute can be quite funny with other dogs sometimes, so I supervised the 2 of them very carefully at first and kept a close eye out. I found that my 2 existing dogs were quite clingy at first (I think they were making sure that I still loved them too) but I made sure that I gave them all equal attention.

Do you know if the rescue will be providing you with any blankets or anything? I'd put these down for your basset so he/she feels at home. We put a blanket down for megan but she still howled on the first night, poor thing, I think she was confused! When we were confident enough to leave them together, we put megan in with our malamute as she sleeps in her own little room, they sleep together now at night and they adore each other now.

Good luck with your new basset - megan is our first rescue dog and so far I've found her really rewarding, my OH & I adore her and she has very quickly become part of our family :-)

Hi, well done for taking on a rescue dog. Bassets are delightful dogs but are a law unto themselves. Don't expect to be able to train him, or for him to have been trained, they are incredibly wilful. Don't expect him to come to you when called. Bassets accept that you have given them a name, as that's what humans do, but they can't for the life of them think why you bothered. He should settle in fairly easily, being pack hounds, they love the company of other dogs and are usually placid and easy going. They do have a tendency to sometimes bark for no particular reason, but it's a very slow, ponderous bark and once they have checked that their barking mechanism is in working order they will stop. Basically, they are lovable dunces.

Thank you for your reply we have been told that he does not have a bed or bedding so we have gone out and brought new.we have read alot about the bassett hound but not really alot of information on older rescue dogs,this will be our first rescue dog so we are nervous and extreamly excited.....

Just to be on the safe side, I would buy new water bowls for him too as I found our mal was a bit iffy about sharing her water bowl at first - she's fine now but it's funny what dogs can be possessive over!

Like the other poster said, well done for taking on a rescue, we're so pleased that we did. I'm sure you'll be surprised at how well he settles in, we were with Megan, it's like she's always been here now - she even has a little spot in the lounge, she sits on the floor beside my OH so he can tickle her ears when he's watching TV :-D

Do you know the history of your basset? How old is he? Just being nosey :-)

He is 10  & 1/2 yrs old,he was living with a couple who had a baby and the baby was allergic to him so he was moved to anther house untill a new home could be found for him..so he maybe a bit unsettled for a while wondering if he will moved again.we dont know if he was with the couple from a baby.?  

That's very sad for him to suddenly have his whole life turned upside down. Personally, I'd have been tempted to get rid of the baby and keep the dog.

Oops - just read the topic title - I am very thick at times !! :-)

Poor old man being moved around at this stage in his life, at least he'll have a good home with you guys. Let us know how you get on with him. I saw a lovely basset on my way home from work this afternoon, great dogs.

We adopted an 10.5 year old dog last September.  He settled really easily.  The first night he was unsettled, but after that it was like he'd always been with us, and he has gone from strength to strength.  We'd definitely adopt an oldie again.  Fingers crossed your old boy setles down fast.

Hi kate its great to hear from someone who has adopted an oldie we are very excited but nervous at the same time time,we hope he settles in with us alright,and it doesnt cause him too much upset or stress.

Hi this is just an update to our earlier post, our bassett hound ( j.c) has arrived he is settling in really well no problems as yet.He is making friends with our jack russell cross (maggie)  and loving all the attention he is recieving..thanks for all your replys to our first post.