Even though usually referred to as sweet, gentle and naturally well-behaved, training a basset hound can be complicated due to the breed's strong sense of smell. A basset hound, be it a young puppy or adult one, can become stubborn if his nose has discovered a smell too tempting to disregard. But do not let that fact prevent you from teaching your short-legged pet to become a well-mannered one. There are different measures you can take to enable you to attain your goals. Here are a few advice you may want to learn:

• Though their strong sense of smell can cause stubbornness, there is something that can really motivate them – food. Using tasty and appealing treats is one way towards successful dog training. While you need to opt for treats that are rich in protein, you must remember that treats must not replace your dog's regular food.
• While they're quickly motivated by food, overfeeding must also be prevented given that excess weight can be too much for their short legs and long body to carry. And since this breed is susceptible to bloat, it is a good idea to feed your canine friend two or three small meals a day instead of huge one. Exercise, training and other strenuous activities should also be avoided right before and after eating.
• Due to their strong sense of smell that they usually tend to follow if they picked up something exciting, basset hounds should only be allowed off leash in safe or fenced in areas.
• Basset hounds are vocal dogs and can become extreme barkers when not trained the right way. Socialization can help you avoid this problem.
• When training a basset hound, activities like climbing up and down the stairs, jumping and prolonged running or walking should be avoided as much as possible to prevent paralysis as they are inclined to it.

Basset hounds make great pets even in families with children. Yet training them to behave properly is required in order to keep everybody safe as well as happy.