Search found 55 matches

by CocoLeBear
Thu Feb 26, 2015 3:49 pm
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: Please help! Rescuing a Chow (mix?) in April
Replies: 8
Views: 6394

Re: Please help! Rescuing a Chow (mix?) in April

I would just chime in to agree to and say, set him up in an area where he can see you (example I have a foster with an injury and he hangs out babygated in the kitchen) and can watch and observe. Don't push the interaction, but make it available. For example, when I brought the foster home, he was a...
by CocoLeBear
Thu Feb 26, 2015 3:40 pm
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: Chow Mix (Chowski/Chowsky)
Replies: 3
Views: 5582

Re: Chow Mix (Chowski/Chowsky)

I would check petfinder.com (or other rescue websites) as I have certainly seen these as well. Also, I would certainly not support a breeder who breeds this mix (simply because they are likely a puppymill/backyard breeder). However--why don't you think about what qualities you liked about this puppy...
by CocoLeBear
Thu Feb 26, 2015 8:33 am
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: Cause of Undercoat Not Filling In?
Replies: 3
Views: 2869

Re: Cause of Undercoat Not Filling In?

I certainly haven't been able to figure anything out. She is on prozac for anxiety and has been since August--I will ask the vet if that might have an effect.
by CocoLeBear
Tue Feb 17, 2015 5:34 am
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: Cause of Undercoat Not Filling In?
Replies: 3
Views: 2869

Cause of Undercoat Not Filling In?

All, my female spayed girl (appx. 7 years old), Coco, blew her coat very hard in November/December. It is now mid-February and the undercoat hasn't grown back. She always gets compliments on the quality of her coat from the groomer--it is never very thick but it is always shiney and healthy. Now, he...
by CocoLeBear
Mon Feb 09, 2015 11:47 am
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: Fostering an Intact Male - Help!
Replies: 15
Views: 7614

Re: Fostering an Intact Male - Help!

Thanks for the reassurance. Please let me know if anyone has had a different experience. Just want to make sire I am not fostering an unwanted behavior!
by CocoLeBear
Sun Feb 08, 2015 3:51 pm
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: Buddy2, shelter chow, still afraid
Replies: 8
Views: 4587

Re: Buddy2, shelter chow, still afraid

Will he take treats normally at home? Can you do some wry basic obedience drills with him? For example, to give Coco a little quality time when I get home from work, I will spend about 5 minutes doing obedience drills with her (sit, lay down, paw, other one, touch--in various orders). She gets very ...
by CocoLeBear
Sun Feb 08, 2015 3:30 pm
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: Fostering an Intact Male - Help!
Replies: 15
Views: 7614

Re: Fostering an Intact Male - Help!

Thanks for all the input!! That second picture is his right after I got him for the pound--he hopped right up in the backseat and I got that pic! Walks together are definitely on the agenda but he ended up coming down with kennel cough (no surprise there) so he is recovering from that (plus his frac...
by CocoLeBear
Fri Feb 06, 2015 6:34 am
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: Fostering an Intact Male - Help!
Replies: 15
Views: 7614

Re: Fostering an Intact Male - Help!

photo (25).JPG
photo (25).JPG (85.72 KiB) Viewed 7578 times
Okay here is the second one.
by CocoLeBear
Fri Feb 06, 2015 6:33 am
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: Fostering an Intact Male - Help!
Replies: 15
Views: 7614

Re: Fostering an Intact Male - Help!

photo (21).JPG
photo (21).JPG (142.92 KiB) Viewed 7578 times
I have tried to attach two pictures, I hope it works!
by CocoLeBear
Thu Feb 05, 2015 6:57 pm
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: Fostering an Intact Male - Help!
Replies: 15
Views: 7614

Re: Fostering an Intact Male - Help!

Thank you so much for the advice! I have started to learn to keep on eye on him in Petco, etc. I guess it wouldn't be the end of the world if he had to stay home, but I have wanted to keep these outings on his radar so he stays chill and socialized to these experiences. And of course I will hope he ...
by CocoLeBear
Thu Feb 05, 2015 1:03 pm
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: Fostering an Intact Male - Help!
Replies: 15
Views: 7614

Re: Fostering an Intact Male - Help!

I forgot to add--this is my first time managing two dogs in a house, and while it is going reasonably well, I am not sure on who gets let out first in the morning, who gets fed first, who gets walked first, etc. I was reading another thread and it was suggested to rotate the order. Is that what most...
by CocoLeBear
Thu Feb 05, 2015 1:01 pm
Forum: New Chow Chow Owners
Topic: Adopted chow is going after my labs jugular!
Replies: 6
Views: 10633

Re: Adopted chow is going after my labs jugular!

Oh, I am so happy to read all about the successes! It sounds like you are doing a great job. I am always an advocate for calling out a trainer/behaviorist, as they deal with these types of problems a ton and have great and practical solutions. Babygates are also very helpful and you don't even have ...
by CocoLeBear
Thu Feb 05, 2015 12:53 pm
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: Fostering an Intact Male - Help!
Replies: 15
Views: 7614

Fostering an Intact Male - Help!

Hi All - The local pound got in a stray intact blue chow, about 5 years old. He had apparently been hit by a car and needed a foster (pound doesn't provide that kind of medical care). I took him in and it is my first time with an intact male! First off, he is incredibly calm and sweet. But he lifts ...
by CocoLeBear
Thu Feb 05, 2015 12:39 pm
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: Feeling guilty *warning: very sad*
Replies: 8
Views: 6815

Re: Feeling guilty *warning: very sad*

I am so sorry you still have this guilt. Try to seek solace in the fact that you showed him love, even if it was difficult for him to be loved. Not every dog can be rehabilitated. My rescued chow, Coco, does not get along with other dogs and so I took her to the UPenn Vet Behavior Clinic to see if t...
by CocoLeBear
Thu Feb 05, 2015 12:28 pm
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: Buddy2, shelter chow, still afraid
Replies: 8
Views: 4587

Re: Buddy2, shelter chow, still afraid

I have a few suggestions. First, a general one. I just this weekend pulled a stray chow and spoke with a very good and well respected trainer, who suggested a DAP (pheremone) collar (any brand). It is like a flea collar but releases happy smells to them that are calming. They are about $12 at Petco ...
by CocoLeBear
Sun Dec 21, 2014 8:51 am
Forum: Health Discussions
Topic: Swollen Mammory Gland - Tumor?
Replies: 4
Views: 3102

Re: Swollen Mammory Gland - Tumor?

Sorry that I forgot to post an update sooner. Went to the vet, who thought it was just a fatty deposit. It was biopsied and benign, thank goodness!
by CocoLeBear
Mon Nov 24, 2014 2:52 pm
Forum: Health Discussions
Topic: Swollen Mammory Gland - Tumor?
Replies: 4
Views: 3102

Re: Swollen Mammory Gland - Tumor?

Sorry - I got distracted before I really finished replying. Again, just curious if anyone with a female dog (please let me know if spayed or not) has received a comment from the vet about a mammory gland being fatty. Was it just one? Did they recommend anything else? Does this mean that the dog is a...
by CocoLeBear
Mon Nov 24, 2014 2:23 pm
Forum: Health Discussions
Topic: Swollen Mammory Gland - Tumor?
Replies: 4
Views: 3102

Swollen Mammory Gland - Tumor?

Hello All - My spayed female rescued (and spayed) from the SPCA in January 2012 has a swollen mammory gland. The vet thinks she is about 6-8, so obviously she was spayed AFTER her first heat. I discovered her one mammory gland on one side (by her back leg) was swollen - soft not hard - a few weeks a...
by CocoLeBear
Mon Jul 14, 2014 4:47 pm
Forum: Chow Chow Photo Gallery
Topic: The three Chowketiers
Replies: 6
Views: 5220

Re: The three Chowketiers

So cute! My Coco also loves my leftover Greek yogurt. And she was just like that when I first got her--could barely sit for a second before standing back up, but now she can sit and stay like a champ!
by CocoLeBear
Mon Jul 14, 2014 3:28 pm
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: CAN NOT KEEP YOGI
Replies: 13
Views: 7372

Re: CAN NOT KEEP YOGI

I agree with all of this advice. Back off, ignore the dog, and let him learn to get to know you, start to trust you, and seek our your affection/show interest in you. Give him a predictable routine and stick to it. Call in a good dog behaviorist/trainer for their perspective, and consult vet. It mig...
by CocoLeBear
Mon Jul 14, 2014 3:22 pm
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: Thinking of getting a Chow, but have toy dog. Help?
Replies: 6
Views: 5461

Re: Thinking of getting a Chow, but have toy dog. Help?

I think it depends on the individual dogs. I would recommend checking out some of the chow rescues that fully test the dogs to see if they would be compatible with other dogs, cats, etc. Then, you can bring the dogs for a meet and greet. It sounds like an easy going neutered male might work well wit...
by CocoLeBear
Fri Jun 13, 2014 4:46 pm
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: Does Your Chow "Hunt"?
Replies: 17
Views: 15818

Does Your Chow "Hunt"?

My dear chow Coco loves "hunting"! Cats, squirrels, mice, ducks, etc., they all drive her wild! I live in the city, but when we visit my parents on the weekend, she goes CRAZY searching for voles in the garden (voles are like field mice that burrow underground and eat roots). She digs, wai...
by CocoLeBear
Fri Apr 04, 2014 12:21 pm
Forum: Grooming
Topic: New Chow Owner - a few questions. Advice much appreciated!
Replies: 15
Views: 14827

Re: New Chow Owner - a few questions. Advice much appreciate

Congrats on acquiring a chow! Here is what I use: Pin brush and a slicker brush, along with a furminator for when Coco sheds her coat. I've heard that many people think a rake is the same thing as a furminator and the furminator is just hype. Maybe that is true; I just got mine at Petco when it was ...
by CocoLeBear
Sat Mar 29, 2014 1:03 pm
Forum: Health Discussions
Topic: Itchy Skin--Dermodex Mites?
Replies: 10
Views: 8113

Re: Itchy Skin--Dermodex Mites?

Hi All - It has been a while since I posted, so I thought I'd give an update. A few days after I had posted, I took Coco to a new vet that my sister had been using for her dog. I really like this vet. She said it certainly wasn't mites. She has been just fine since January, but just today I noticed ...
by CocoLeBear
Tue Dec 31, 2013 4:33 pm
Forum: Health Discussions
Topic: Surgery needed for entropion??
Replies: 11
Views: 9208

Re: Surgery needed for entropion??

My Coco has a slight entropion. It makes her eyes water a lot. The vet checked her eye and said that there is no damage at all and that some eye lubricant should be fine for now. I do think the lubricant helps! Barely any watering and no crusty eyes since I've been using it. Maybe something to ask t...