Feeling confused and sad!

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gtrujillo
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Feeling confused and sad!

Post by gtrujillo »

Hi my name is Geraldine

I am a first time owner of a chow male his name is Kilo . I got him 2 months ago when he was 3 months old his about to turn 5 months on the 24th of February.
I did a lot of research on the breed before i got him and at first i was hesitant about getting a chow because of everything is said about them
Now , that i have him i don't regret getting him, he is the sweetest, smartest dog i have ever seen i love him so much
He is well trained he sits, he lays down he understand when No! means no he doesn't pee or poo at home until we take him out.
I had never had a problem with him being aggressive until this weekend
Kilo has never been aggressive with strangers, in matter of fact he's always excited to see new people and for new people to pet him
I took him for his first Vet visit this weekend, and it was at a Pet smart
I can tell you that it was very hot in there and there was so many people i myself got grumpy and frustrated , one because it was hot two, every person who wanted to pet kilo the first thing that would come out of their mouth is " how cute a chow, you know they are known to be aggressive" every single person. This just got me sad and afraid , after the first person he growled at and was aggressive with gave me fear for any other person to get near him
I don't know if my fear contributed to his behavior, there was only two people who he didn't do that too, and it was because i had seen how he was behaving so for them to pet him i would get a treat and have the strangers give it to kilo in order for kilo to let them pet him and he did
once we went into the room with the vet , she was the other person who he didn't growl or was aggressive with in matter of fact he even went up to her and licked her in her hands , he let her check him and everything.
The assistant on the other hand , i think she was afraid because in one occasion she went and hid behind the vet when kilo growled at her.
I love my kilo and after this incident i have been upset, now i wonder what if kilo is becoming aggressive because his getting older?.
But then i think that it wasn't kilos fault, that it was mine for letting people's comments give me fear about him being aggressive.
I just want an opinion if i"m over thinking this too much?
I know kilo was also acting grumpy because he was too hot, even my husband was so moody cause it was hot inside pet smart and it was worst inside the room we were waiting on the vet...
We socialize him , we take him to the park we go to pet smart with him, people come over to our house, that's one thing he doesn't like it when people leave our home , he will cry and cry because he loves being around people.
i just don't know what could have cause his behavior on Saturday.
Once we left the place and got in the car turned on the A/C he fell asleep not even ten minutes after we left the vet.
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WyoChowDad
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Re: Feeling confused and sad!

Post by WyoChowDad »

Geraldine,
You have found out how well your boy Kilo can read you. He became defensive because you displayed fear/anxiety. His job and thousands upon thousands of chows before him is to protect you. When you are happy and easy going he is at ease. When he sees you tense up its in his nature to become defensive and protective. He is not being aggressive from your discription, he's being protective because his mom is upset.
Don't think he is going to get aggressive just because he's getting older. Keep your mood and actions calm and he won't have any reason to be protective. Keep up your socialization and please try to throw all those opinions about aggressive chows out the window. I've had chows 29 years and I can tell you that those opinions are 99% hogwash. Keep loving Kilo and do everything you've always done. Remember... He's going to be happy and easy going if you are. The minute you feel like you're getting anxious take Kilo and walk away until you're at ease. Let us know how things go. Kilo is an awful good looking boy!

Mike
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gtrujillo
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Re: Feeling confused and sad!

Post by gtrujillo »

Mike

thank you for your reply it has made me feel better , and is going to help me to work on being relaxed so Kilo can be relaxed also..I love my chow and i wouldn't change him for the world. i want him to be a happy loving dog , i wont let people's opinions about chows being aggressive affect how i train and raise my chow.

Thank you.
Rory's Dad
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Re: Feeling confused and sad!

Post by Rory's Dad »

Wyo is right, they do read your emotions, and if you are anxious, that is how they will react.

Also, with all those people making comments, it's pretty likely they were a bit unsure of him as well. He probably sensed that as well.

Aside from the temperature in the store, could be other things too. Chows focus well on one person at a time, if there was a large group that could be unsettling. And other dogs too, it may have just been overwhelming. Keep socializing him, and remember that it needs to be varies. Children, men, women, older folks (like me 50 or so). Make sure they approach properly. The assistant hiding is a mistake. Chows have limited peripheral vision. They should always be approached straight on, and since they can he head shy they should be petted from under the chin at 1st, not on top of the head. People leaning over them can also be distracting. Like Wyo I have owned chows for over 20 years. Currently have 3, 4 & 5. They are AKC Confirmation entrants and my 3 year old male finished his CH in August. For reference, he is well socialized and trained. Is acceptable of strangers touching him (including his male bits) and opening his mouth to inspect his bite. Have seen a few certified judges actually lean over the dogs...this tends to get them feeling enclosed and wary.

Although Chows do tend to come into their own in their teen years, everything about the adult behavior is taught (by us) during puppy times. All the basics, acceptable chew situations/items, etc. I don't think he will be more aggressive just because he is growing if everything else is in order. You may get a challenge or two (think recall), but that should be easily corrected.
Piff Poff
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Re: Feeling confused and sad!

Post by Piff Poff »

Kilo is gorgeous.

To me it sounds as though your doing everything right. The previous answers are pretty much spot on imo. Just keep loving him, training him and trusting in him. No animal is born vicious, it's a learned behaviour, whether that behaviour is needed for food, attack or flight - think wild animals. A beloved pet that is well socialised will take it's cues from it's owners and only protect if need be.
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Thank you Sweatpea
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