New Chow Chow puppy!

[natashalindley]

So after moving house just so we could get a place with no stairs and a nice patio/garden area my boyfriend and I are finally getting a puppy!

I have been speaking to countless breeders, some I have been really happy with, some not. One lady wanted to sell me a puppy for 200, and to ship it overseas to me. She also said the puppies were KC registered. I knew that this was what people call "a backyard breeder". I told her that first of all, NO puppy that has been bred well, have good parents and have had all the checks (worm/fleas/microchipped) would be priced at that low. Second of all, I personally am not happy thinking of a small puppy being shipped on its own overseas being left to be scared and potentially damaging to its social and trusting skills. Thirdly I asked her what the KC registration numbers were of the puppies so that I could ring up the company and confirm it. She refused and told me "you have my word they are fine". I rang up KC anyway giving her the address where the puppies were born and what she had named the puppies...surprise surprise no puppies registered! I reported her instead.

Eventually, I found a breeder that I was so happy with. He has an 11 week old male cream chow. I asked why he was the last one and the breeder said that he was reserved while a family were on holiday and then decided not to go for a puppy anymore. I asked what the parents were like, what their knees were like, if the puppy has gone up and down stairs (he hasn't), how he gets on with people so far (at the moment he is very playful with a cat, has been around a 3 year old girl, friends and family). I said that I plan to get up treats very very VERY small and when people come over to stroke him to give him one of the cut up treats so that he thinks people = treats and cuddles. Would I be right in doing this? His potty training is coming along well, he still has some occasional accidents but I plan to take him out every two hours and then after he eats/wakes up as well to get him used to it. He has also been wormed/microchipped but no shots so I rang the vets and they told me to bring him in a few days after getting him. I also asked about tear stains and he said the boy doesn't have any, but if they do it is to do with PH levels and diet.

To be honest I am a little nervous as I have been waiting so long to get a Chow Chow. I am scared that he will get ill and I will lose him or that he won't like me! Silly I know!

These are the pictures he sent me of him, sorry if the pictures are bad quality!

[natashalindley]

Here is another picture

[ski]

No worries!!! Relax...first of all...he is precious. Does he have a name?
Chows are very easy to housebreak. Introducing him to a variety of people is a good idea. We got our red chow, Loki, as a rescue when he was two. It didn't take him long to connect to the family. I will admit they often pick one individual that they will share a special bond with. It has been seven years with Loki and he still will NOT accept treats from strangers. Also, if he isn't fond of an individual he will not accept good. We have found him to be a good judge of character. Enjoy that beautiful puppy!!!!!

[natashalindley]

I was leaning towards Meeko but my boyfriend wanted Django so we are going with that. I thought that because he is letting me get the breed I want and moving with me to a new place that allows pets with a garden that he should at least be able to choose the name

I will be doing the grooming, most of the walking, training, feeding etc so I am hoping that he will bond with me however my boyfriend has a way with dogs, every single one he meets love him to pieces, I don't blame him..he's amazing!

I am not entirely sure how to groom a chow properly yet, I've looked at lots of youtube videos but I get a bit confused so I am going to ask the breeder to show me. Other than that I have spring cleaned the house, chopped up little treats and put them in the fridge, stored anything that could hurt him in the loft and bought all the essentials.

I really hope that he's going to love me, I'm excited

[Cindy J]

I am very happy for you! He is a beautiful puppy... and very lucky to be moving into such a loving new home.

[ski]

Wow!!! What good chow parents you will be!

[Sirchow]

Congratulations on your cute baby. So sweet

Once you get him home and you have a garden and take him out every hour or two his training should be complete in no time. Socialisation and tiny treats from everyone you meet will certainly help and positive training puppy classes are good too. I am sure your baby will delight you in every way and he looks happy and healthy. Creams often have tiny tear stains at the corners of their eyes and need wiping every day but these look like healthy eyes from the pics. Tear staining from eyes with problems would be much worse. Your baby has a nice open face so is not that likely to have eye problems. Just enjoy your puppy and try not to over think things

[Cam Atis]

Congratulations too on your chow pup. Seems like you are on your way to becoming a great carer to him. But giving small morsels of food to people outside your immediate family circle so they can feed it to him is not the best idea UNLESS you plan to show your dog in contests. You see, you are training him to take food from other people and could potentially expose him to getting poisoned or even dognapped. That is just my opinion...other than that, you are so devoted. Which is good

[JasonandNat]

Sweet chowling! Wonderful colour.

[Rory's Dad]

Sorry Cam, we disagree again. If done properly, using a treat to introduce new friends can be a great way to socialize the dog. I understand dognapping in some areas is a problem, but generally an introduction (Rory this is Jane, and she's OK), followed by Jane offering up a small treat is a very positive technique. You are not teaching your baby to take candy from a stranger, you do the introductions and the assurances prior to any bribing.