The Foxhound is a hard headed breed, but if you begin training early in their puppy years they have a better chance of retaining their train commands. Dogs love food or treats when they have done a good job. Working with a trainer in an obedience class will help you learn how to establish your leadership in a firm but fair way that the Foxhound will respect and respond to. It will take a lot of effort in training if you adopt an older dog one who is used to living in a pack outdoors rather than a home.
Hunting Commands
A few brief hunting commands for foxhounds. The huntsmen of the “hunt” give commands in a gruff, strong voice. The actual words used vary among huntsmen, but the ones most huntsmen used include:
- Leave it. When you speak this command in training it lets the dog know to cease whatever it is interested in at the moment and to fall back in stride.
- Get behind. Give this order while pushing slightly towards the dog. This lets the dog know to step back from a structure or obstacle, and let the hunter lead the way.
- Hold back. This order lets the dog know to stop, or wait for the owner or hunter to catch up when the dog is out in front of them.
- Kennel up. This command instructs the dog to enter their crate, car, or an enclosed space.
Foxhounds Behavior in Packs
Foxhounds should be grouped where their collars are connected between them to a more experienced or older dog. New dog owners can take advantage of having an older dog in the mix. The new foxhound in the family will quite naturally follow the behavior traits from the older dogs currently in the household. Be careful though the dog will be just as willing to mock the existing older dogs bad habits, as their good habits, watch them and be sure to stop this practice when it happens.
Walking
Hold on firmly when on a walk, give strong commands in an authoritative voice; this will slow the dog down, or break him or her from the scent trail at hand. Foxhounds respond to the words, “leave it,” because it should be previously taught from hunting training commands given in earlier training.
Keep the dog on a short leash when walking, and then attach it to yourself, this is called umbilical cord training. This type of training is good to practice the first few weeks on walks. This allows the owner to correct the dog immediately when it does something wrong or pulls on the leash.
House Training
Foxhounds are naturally clean in their household which helps with their potty training. Crate training is the quickest and most effective way to house train a dog. Like so many dogs, they love the closed in, cozy, safe environment of a crate.
Discipline
Use a strong clear voice when giving commands to your dog. Watch the behavior of your dog until you trust there is a decent chance that you have reached a level of peace between you and the animal. Let your dog know that you are the boss, in the most loving way possible while being assertive as well.