If you want to protect your hard work, and your house and garden, much needs to be done to basset proof it. Of course it’s also important for their own health and safety.

After putting so much effort into planting the new flower beds around the house it was important to break the puppies habit of using the flower beds for (a) the quickest route back to the house and (b) a nice soft place in which to do your personal business.

Despite the suggestions at the local DIY store, I knew that granules of chemical solutions was not going to keep my boys off their favourite place. More drastic measures were required. Fortunately having my Dad on hand meant we could install basset fencing.

So, how high can a basset jump we wondered?

Let me tell you they can’t jump very high (unless they are trying to get their dinner of the kitchen bench) but they can trample small fences intended to keep them out which are not entirely secured in place!

It’s so comical to see them bounding towards the flower beds after running up and down the veranda by the front door thinking that they are going to nip across the direct route and beat me to the step. Let’s just say that the fencing doesn’t leave a lasting indentation on their faces but momentarily they are squished as they bash into the offending barrier. It seems also unfair too when they are in their post snooze stagger off the veranda to relieve themselves only to find that their is no access to that lovely soft stuff.

Although I know that they think it’s a hard life being a basset in want and need of the flower bed. But my need is greater than theirs so they are going to have to get used to it!

PS – please no comments on my desert like lawn which makes an appearance in the following pictures.