Just adopted a Chow and eager to learn!

[kumakim06]

Hi everyone,

My husband and I adopted a Chow on Monday...10/5/09 is the day she joined our family. I am very eager to learn as much as I can about her and her breed. But let me tell you a little more about her. She just turned 3 years old, and I don't think she received much attention or care. We changed her name to Kuma (Japanese for "bear") after the behavior specialist at the vet told us that it wouldn't be a problem...that she'll come around to it. Kuma definitely responds to the name, but I have a feeling that she might be confusing it for "come on"...haha. Does anyone think that might be a problem? Should we give her another name? The reason we changed her name is that he previous name was in Korean (we are Korean), but her previous owner had been told that it meant "beautiful"...which it does not. Plus, it's kind of awkward for us to call her by that name. I also tried calling her by her original name, but she doesn't seem to respond anyway.

Another thing about her is that she seems to like to lay on cold, hard surfaces like the hardwood floor area by the entrance of our condo and the kitchen floor. It's definitely not hot here. We live in Socal where we have beautiful weather always! It has even started to get a bit cooler here now as Fall weather approaches. She used to live tied up in an area outside of the previous owner's house in Inland Empire...very HOT. I would assume that she would be cooler here, especially indoors, so I'm not sure why she likes the hard, colder floors to lay on. Any ideas?

Also she is not housebroken, but I am trying to train her. I know the crate method is great, but for the past day, we tried using the bathroom. I leave her in a half bathroom which is quite perfect for her size...not too big, not too small. She hasn't had any accidents in there except that she did pee in the bathtub once. I take her out as often as possible for walks and bathroom breaks. Do you think that using our bathroom is sufficient or a crate is absolutely necessary? I also keep her close to me at all times usually by leash, since she does have a tendency to roam, and I'm not sure that I trust her just yet. And how many times a day should they poop?

That leads to another question. How long are your walks with your Chows? Kuma likes to sniff a lot along the way (which I read on this forum about Chows doing that in general). Do you run your Chows? Ours is only 30 lbs, and extremely underweight according to the vet and what I've seen online about the average size of Chows. We are extremely concerned, and we want to feed her well but not overfeed. We are currently feeding her Orijen (that's what we feed our Pom), and she loves it. But it seems that she has a never-ending appetite! But we really are limiting her to what she should eat according her size on Orijen's serving guide. It seems so little though...and I feel bad.

Overall, she seems happy and is receiving so much love from us. We just want the best lifestyle and to get her to optimal health...and of course to be completely house trained. All of your inputs are greatly appreciate. Thank you for reading, and thanks in advance for your responses!

[DOHMAN]

Being 3 years old she is going to be a little set in her ways. I would try to be patient with her and just show her affection and love since you think she has not been loved on in the past.

The reason why people use crates is because it establishes a comfort zone for the animal. The only problem I can see with the bathroom is the fact she is a older chow. Chows by nature are VERY territorial and if she starts to think over time that the bathroom is HER PLACE there may be some problems with friends or family using the bathroom in the future.

I have owned chows all my life and pretty much every chow loves tile or wood floors. they love the cool feeling on their belly. It can be 5 degrees with 3 inches of ice outside and they want to lay on the concrete. Being dogs from much a colder climate they love cold weather.

My dogs seem to like to walk for about 15 minutes any more than that and they start to wear out. They also play and run around all day so that may have something to do with it.

Your baby is very very skinny. My 2 8 month chows are pushing 50 pounds right now and I feel like they are still underweight. How much are you feeding her and how often? I am not a expert on diets but I give mine both a cup for breakfast and a cup for dinner.

Congratulions on the new baby and welcome to the chow chow family. NOW GET US SOME PICS

[CoraP.]

Congratulations ! It is wonderful that you have given Kuma a new, loving home! we adopted Molly from a rescue when she was one or two, so she was also grown. I think Orijen is a good food, so she should do well on it. She will probably put on a lot more weight, but I wouldn't be in a hurry. She probably does love her food, now that she is getting fed regularly! Molly likes to lay in a cool place, too. Most chows don't seem real interested in dog beds. I guess they prefer cooler things to lie on. I'm glad you are keeping her on a leash, since she likes to roam. We used the crate when we first got Molly, but now we don't. I don't think there is a problem changing her name. Many people do that when they adopt one already named. She'll get used to it. Chows are usually easy to housebreak. They are very clean, and I think Kuma will do fine with it. She hasn't been in a house before, so stay consistent with potty breaks and she'll learn quickly. Molly poops about once a day. I'd love to see pictures of Kuma...what color is she? I'll bet she's beautiful!

[Sirchow]

Hi there and congratulations on your new baby Kuma. I dont see any problem with changing her name as it sounds like her previous home was not one with a great deal of attention. A tasty reward every time you call her name and she will soon respond to it. After all they dont know it is their name if you know what I mean, to them it is just a word with nice associations.

I would think she may well be so under weight because she is lacking in muscle from not being exercised properly. I think it would be best to go easy on walks and let her have most of her exercise in your yard or on a slow walk, sniff, stop and walk basis. Personally I dont do three hour hikes with my chow because she damaged her legs and find half an hour am and about 20 mins pm keeps her well muscled. Build food and exercise slowly so as not to put a strain on her body and you can't go wrong. By the way I use Orijen as well and find it a really good food but it may be a little high in protein. Chows should have about 30% and it has 40% so when she has put some muscle on you may need to mix something in to lower the protein content a little. See how she goes on it.

House training sounds to me like it is well under way and as she gets more reliable you can add in more rooms till she gives up her bathroom home. Cold floors are definitely what chows like. Most of us have tried numerous beds for them to still lie behind a draughty door for preference. They also like to know who is where at all times andd to usually lie in the most inconvenient place in the house so everyone has to step over them. This allows them to keep tabs on you at all times.

It is lovely that you have been able to give a home to a rescue chow. Pictures are always welcome her - the more the better. Also if you have any more questions just ask.

[Victory]

At three it could take her up to 9 months to really bond with you, this is quite normal for a chow, but once she does bond with you, you'll have the most loyal companion you could ever wish for. The fact that she isn't going potty in the bathroom is a good sign, praise her highly when she goes outside that may sound weird but she'll become house broken faster that way, she's just not used to being inside so she doesn't know, but she'll learn. She should go out a minimum of 3 times a day, she may only poop once, especially if she being fed a high quality food.

On the feeding, most chows will not over eat, but if she's under weight as you say, she's going to need more food until she gains the weight she should, also moving to a cooler climate will make her hungerier until she becomes used to it. And like someone else said they all like to lay on hard cold floors, they also lay flat alot. They were bred to live in temps of extreme cold, -0 F, and colder, so even 50 degrees F is warm to them, although at that temp you'll see a lot of energy that you don't see when it is 70+, watch her if it gets humid, this is the weather they have the most trouble with when it is warm AND humid, they tend to have problems with that. Less exercise, plenty of water and a cool place for her will be needed then.

Like I said three walks a day, she's under weight, so lacking the muscle tone she should have, so make them short and slow. Start at about 20 minutes, let her walk slow. She will spend a lot of time sniffing and maybe just looking around. If she's been tied up in one place for most of her life she has missed on mental stimulation, chows are thinking dogs and need to have their minds exercised as much as their bodies. They get this by seeing and exploring new areas, and by learning new behaviors. They learn well, though not like most other dogs, they won't repeat the same thing over and over, but they will do one thing and then learn another very quickly.

She probably knows her name now but like most chows has selective hearing, in other words she'll respond to it as she wants, in the manner she wants. The closer she becomes to you the better she'll respond to it and you. With chows you want to be firm, fair, persistent, patient, and have a good sense of humor, the more she settles in with you the more she'll show you her personality and I guarantee she'll be making you laugh.

Also like the others have said, pictures please.

[Dogdad]

congratulations on your Kuma. Cold floors are the chows favorite spot, All of mine prefer wood and tile floors to carpet. It sounds like you are making good progress and really care for her. Give her time, she will respond to your love. My chows were all adopted around 3, some things we could change, some we cannot. Other than the not house broken thing, I am sure you will learn to live with them and just be one of those Kuma things.

David

[kumakim06]

Thank you all so much for the helpful replies and words of encouragement! I can't wait to get to know her even more. As I have read about Chows and you all have confirmed, Chows seem very intelligent...and Kuma is definitely a smart one.

As for her diet, we are currently giving her 3/4 cup of Orijen twice a day, around 9 AM and 5-6 PM. Does that sound ok? And of course, we are taking her out periodically throughout the day. One major concern is her loose stool. We have read that canned pumpkin can help with this problem. Has anyone heard of this as well? I think at first it was due to the change in food. I'm not sure what the previous owner was feeding her. Also, I think we overfed her for the first couple of days (1.5 cups per meal). She can't get enough of her food though. I have to pull her away from our Pom's food bowl (his name is Oso) everytime we feed them.

So everything seems to be going well except for her soft poop and house training (in progress)...and her weight (also in progress). Oh and the tips of her ears are irritated from flies at the previous home. But the vet said that it should go away over time since we are indoors now. I just want her to be happy and healthy!

I don't have any pictures from my camera uploaded yet, but here are a few pics from my Blackberry camera. Enjoy!

[Sirchow]

What a beautiful girl Kuma is and little Oso is cute too. It could be the change of food, feeding too much at the begining or to rich for her digestion if she has not been fed well before, that is causing loose poos. Dont be in a hurry to change too much or you may make it worse. I have never tried the pumkin remedy but have heard it can help. If it doesn't perhaps you should check with your vet if it persists.

Mostly give her time and try not to worry too much. It will take Kuma a while to settle but you sound like you are getting on pretty well.

Kuma really has the sweetest little face.

[Victory]

She's lovely. On her feeding; according to their web site the main ingredient in the food is chicken and turkey, some chows, (and other breeds) are actually allergic to poultry. If her stool doesn't firm up in a week or so, try to find something without poultry.You might also try a little yogurt before then, about two tablespoons twice a week will help her regain important flora in her tummy. If you can find it, Solid Gold's Green Cow will also help with this, smells awful but it is really good for helping them maintain a healthy digestive system.

Oh and the fly strike wounds on her ears could benefit from a little aloe.

[CoraP.]

Ah...just as I thought. Kuma is a beautiful girl!! Thanks for the pictures! Oso is a cute little guy!

[Penelope]

HA your dogs match! The pom is like a mini me to Kuma, lol The pom pic in the car too funny! They both look like really sweet dogs and I'm sure you're going to love having your new chow! I don't know much about older chows, but my puppy was housebroken within a day, and many others have said similar things, so I think it's in their nature to want to go outside.

[Auddymay]

Kuma and Oso are so cute! I like the fluff butts photo best, but they are all sweet. Congrats...BTW,some of us have small girl Chows at around 35 pounds. Even so, mine seems skinny, so I can only imagine how boney yours feels. Welcome to the forum.

[Judy Fox]

They are both beautiful - I love the picture of them both in the car.

[Lobis Cunami]

They are both beautiful. I love the picture in the car too, with both of them looking out the window

[nelliegirl]

Congratulations! Kuma is beautiful. I adopted Nellie when she was about 2 and changed her name as well (it was Renegade). It took a little while for her to learn her name but she got within a couple of weeks. It did take several months for her to totally bond to me but you would never know that now.

She just needs to know that you are safe and then she will come around....Good Luck!!

[kumakim06]

Hi All,

So it's been almost 2 weeks since Kuma has joined our family. We've been very consistent with her food in terms of what type (Orijen) and the feeding times. Her poop continues to be soft. I feel like a criminal every time I take her out, because it's hard to pick up after runny poo. I try to get as much as I can, and I can only dream of solid poo. What do you think it can be? I would think 2 weeks on a consistent diet would have been enough time to get used to it.

Also, what are your thoughts on Kirkland (Costco) food? We have always fed Oso Orijen, but Oso doesn't eat nearly as much as Kuma does. A medium-sized bag would last Oso forever. But of course that's not the case with Kuma. My husband and I are recent grads/students, so it looks like it might be difficult to continue with Orijen. We have heard mixed reviews (way more on the positive side though) regarding Costco's dog food. What are your thoughts?

Thanks as always!

[Auddymay]

I don't know about Costco brand either way. I feed mine Nature's Recipe Venison and rice. Mine don't like lamb. It is a sight less expensive than Orijen. Mine both eat 2 cups a day, and I am on unemployment, so if I can afford it, you probably will, too. They do well on it, good poops.

[Mochi_Yoshi]

Also, what are your thoughts on Kirkland (Costco) food? We have always fed Oso Orijen, but Oso doesn't eat nearly as much as Kuma does. A medium-sized bag would last Oso forever. But of course that's not the case with Kuma. My husband and I are recent grads/students, so it looks like it might be difficult to continue with Orijen. We have heard mixed reviews (way more on the positive side though) regarding Costco's dog food. What are your thoughts?

Thanks as always!

We feed both our 8mos old Chow girls Kirkland puppy. They have been fine on it, it is a great food in my opinion. The adult chow I had before these two were also on Kirkland, but Lamb and Rice. She did great on it as well! And shes always had a sensitive stomach.

Granted, every dog is different...so try it out to see if your dogs like it. If it doesn't work out, you're out around $20...worth a shot. Don't feel bad because you're not spending 3x the amount on food, the only important thing is your doggies are healthy and you have enough money left over to feed yourselves too!