It's also a bad idea to feed the dog immediately before or after vigorous exercise. Otterhounds need and want a fair amount of exercise, particularly when young, so though you don't need a huge yard, you do need a fenced area for them, and if it isn't big, you'd better like long walks or dog jogging. Otterhounds are not good candidates for walking off leash. Like many scent hounds, the desire to follow a scent may overcome the desire to obey their owner, with potentially fatal consequences. Their considerable size makes training something you DO NOT want to ignore.
Otterhounds can be very bright dogs - at least when it comes to getting something they want.
There are reliable reports of Otterhounds who learn to open the gate to their yard, as well as the screen door, the door to the house and the refrigerator door. Otterhounds compete successfully in obedience, some take on agility, and they excel as tracking dogs. These silly looking sweethearts can also be great therapy dogs . For many, it's the great personality. You need a sense of humor to live with an Otterhound, but you'll be living with a dog that has a pronounced sense of humor of its own.