Overweight dogs should still be fed twice a day, but in small amounts until the desired weight is achieved. As a general rule, the first thing you should do when you get your new basset is to immediately take him to the area you want him to eliminate in. Always take him to this spot. Do not walk - some bassets learn to hold it in order to take a longer walk. Teach your basset a signal for wanting to go out.
Some dogs sit in front of the door, others scratch or bark.
Some even learn to ring a bell hanging on the door handle. Also, dogs do not always generalize, i.e., he may be housebroken to one household but not necessarily to another. Therefore, you should be prepared for an accident. Do not let your new friend have full run of the house until you've gotten to know each other and learned to trust one another. Always keep him confined to an area where you can monitor his behavior, and should he have an accident, be prepared to correct immediately.