HI there

We are getting a Basset Puppy in 3 weeks, he will be 7 weeks old, It is our first puppy so I am doing a lot of swatting up. I know there is lots of contradictory advice regarding training but what are your thoughts on the following:

Yesterday I read that you should NEVER play tug of war with your puppy as this will lead to your puppy thinking it is an equal to you. Then I read another article which said that Tug games can increase confidence in puppies, what do people think of this?

Also can I ask peoples opinions on feeding table scraps as I have read this can cause diarrhea, but I cook lots of yummy food and it is going to be hard to resist those sad basset eyes...

Thanks in advance chaps.
Dave

If you start giving table scraps to your dog, you'll end up with a VERY unhealthy dog, a dog that scrounges for food and begs at the sight of it. My opinion, a very bad habit to get into. If you'd like to save healthy bits for your dog, i.e. chicken, or meat then it might be a good idea to mix it in with his or her main meal.

I think the tug-of-war ''makes a dog think it's equal to you'' is very much an old fashioned way of dog training, I believe myself, that it's just a very fun game for you and your dog to play and bond

Howcome you are getting your pup at 7 weeks? It may be considered a bit too young to leave mum, alot of people I think now are waiting until 9 weeks because puppies go through a fear period at around 8 weeks old which makes it a bit hard to settle in to new homes.

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Great answers and pretty much confirmed what I thought anyway, I would've wanted to play tug of war with him anyway.

We are getting him a little early as the pups are doing fantastically well and the breeders are sure he should be weaned off mum by then, plus we wanted to get a puppy from as young as possible so we can watch him grow. I was'nt aware of the fear period but I will look into it and I am home all the time so he will be loved and looked after from day 1.

Thanks for replying, if you know any great websites for puppy/training info that would be very helpful. I am hoping to have a firm training schedule lodged in my brain by the time we get him.

Depends on how you feed table scraps. Once they are older and feeding them in their own bowl after you've finished eating and bearing in mind poisionious items for dogs then you should be fine.

In terms of playing tug - its a great game just make sure you and your dog understand the rules - you start and stop the game, if they dont release the toy when requested then the toy goes away and the game ends, if the dog becomes over excited while playing the game ends.

HTH

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Thanks Keirk very helpful, I have saved the link to the poisonous foods to swat up on later, our house is a very food oriented house so this is a must for me to know. Cheers!

Anywhere between 7 and 8 weeks would do for me. I would forget the firm training schedule though

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Fab, we are so excited to get him, he is a little smasher. I don't mean that I will be training him from the instant he gets home, I just mean general training and housebreaking as this is my first dog I have owned and I want him to be happy but behaved, however I know this is a tough call with bassets.

Just remember people run to schedules puppies usually don't

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I wouldn't be feeding any human food whilst he is still a puppy, but when he is grown a few leftovers won't hurt as long as it isn't the greasy, fatty bits. Just the meat and perhaps veg will be fine but always feed him in his own bowl. I never allow dogs to finish off a plate or anything like that, as I found that the dog doesn't know what is his and what isn't.

The only other thing I would say is early socialisation. Even before he has had his vaccinations, you can carry him about, let him see that there is a world out there.

Good luck with him.

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Thanks newfiesmum, I would never have let him eat from a plate but I am sure him will get a few choice leftovers.

He will definately have early socialisation, all my family are desperate to meet him so he won't have much choice in the matter haha. I was reading that this can be frightening but to get new people to give him his treats, would you agree with this?

Thanks very much
Dave