Bloodhound board and train for a nose on legs

A slow-growing giant

Bloodhounds mature slowly, physically and mentally, and many act like big puppies well past their first birthday. That means a long adolescence: a strong, clumsy dog with puppy judgment, plenty of chewing and selective hearing. It is normal, and it is the reason many bloodhound families choose training in that stretch.

Training in this period focuses on habits you will be glad of when the dog is full grown: four paws on the floor for greetings, waiting at doors, settling on a place, and leaving food on the counter alone. Our page on dog adolescence explains what is going on in a teenage dog's brain.

• Greetings: four paws down, because a jumping hound this size knocks people over
• Doors: a wait before going through, every time
• Kitchen: a place cue while food is out, plus management of counters
• Chewing: plenty of legal chews and scent games to occupy the mind

Foundation or Advanced for a bloodhound?

A bloodhound puppy or a young dog who needs household basics usually fits Foundation, one week. It covers leash skills, place, stay and recall, crate and house manners, and impulse control, ending with a go-home lesson for you.

An adolescent who already knows some cues but drags you through town, or who disappears onto a scent in the park, usually needs Advanced, two weeks. The second week takes the work to real places with real smells and adds a second coaching lesson, which matters with a dog this strong. Gabby recommends a program at the assessment after meeting your hound.

Recall: realistic expectations

Even well-trained bloodhounds are usually kept on leash or a long line in open spaces, because once they are working a trail they may follow it a long way. That is what the breed was made to do. Training can give you a solid recall in a fenced yard and a dog that checks in more often; it cannot remove the instinct.

If you want to give your bloodhound something meaningful to do with its nose, a scent sport like nosework or mantrailing is a great outlet once the basics are in place.

Day-to-day care during the stay

Bloodhounds drool, shake their heads, and need their ear flaps and skin folds kept clean. Gentle handling practice is part of training. They can also be prone to bloat, so tell us your dog's feeding routine; pack its usual food pre-portioned and any medication clearly labeled, plus one comfort item.

Playgroup is small, matched by size and temperament, and only once the free evaluation shows your dog is ready. Many bloodhounds prefer sniffing to wrestling, and scent enrichment fills much of their day.