TRY TO DISPELL THE AGGRESSIVE MYTH OF CHOWS

Judy Fox · Post by **Judy Fox** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 1:14 am

I agree, it is absolutely horrible that people perceive the chow chow to be vicious.
They are a lot of things that people do not appreciate.
Why don't you get one of your trained up as a therapy dog. One lady on the site had a chow chow who had his certificate to go into hospitals and whatever (I am not sure if that is a therapy dog certificate) and I am thinking another chow chow on the site has or had a therapy dog certificate.
It is so sad - because chow chows are so beautiful.

Judy Fox · Post by **Judy Fox** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:24 am

Your pictures are beautiful - of beautiful chow chows, Jonathen.

Chow Chow Mama · Post by **Chow Chow Mama** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 3:49 am

I wish Holden had the tolerance to be a therapy dog. I think that is a wonderful idea. Growing up, I think we had 3 different female Chow Chows who would have been great therapy dogs. I think that would be a very rewarding experience.

pablotx · Post by **pablotx** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:27 am

The perception really bothers me as well. I have been taking Ginger everywhere and letting people pet her. Most can't believe how sweet she is, and I make sure I tell them that this is how the breed really is. All the kids in the neighborhood love on her when we go on our daily walks. I think the more we can take our dogs out in public and let them be handled, the better. Hearts and minds, one person at a time.

Tippsy'smom · Post by **Tippsy'smom** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:34 am

I HATE that perseption, too. I'll get people in my neighborhood that jump to conclutions and I've lived here longer than they have and they see me walking her EVERYDAY and I know they see all the kids playing with her, too.

I hate people who do that. But hey... at least I have Tippsy and I can love on her all I want.

Jess

sit_by_the_beach · Post by **sit_by_the_beach** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:48 am

My first chow had her therapy dog certificate. We visit my mom at the hospital and later on in the nursing home. My chow was more than welcomed. The patients loved the cuddly chow.

I haven't had my present chow Mikki tested yet. I no longer drive and it would be too difficult to travel by public transportation. However, I did take her with me when we visit my 94 yr old teacher in a small out of town nursing home. My chow was fine with everyone, motorized wheelchairs didn't bother Mikki, nor the sounds, noise of Alzheimer patients.

If your chows are conditioned to noise, strangers, kids, elevators, hospital alarms, give it a try. My chows knew that this was a setting where the chow is not to act up, freak out or act skittish. Many elderly or sick patients don't always have good co-ordination and the chow has to put up with getting poked in the eye or get touched from behind. A calm dog is a must.

left,Ed,centre,MrsRamsey 94,rightMrsEste 103

Post by **Auddymay** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 8:06 am

There are actually quite a few Chows on here that do therapy work. A few with CGC titles as well. On the flip side, we have quite a few that hate being touched...lol. We can only change opinion one ignorant person at a time, welcome to the team!

sit_by_the_beach · Post by **sit_by_the_beach** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 8:14 am

The strange thing both my chows, the late Luna and now Mikki hated to be touched by strangers. They hated to be approached from behind. Luna was the wild one, at least Mikki is quiet to begin with. Once inside the building or even in front where patients would sit in the summer, neither freaked out. It's almost like they developed a 6th??? sense.

I visit an 88 yr old woman who lives in my neighbourhood. One time I didn't know her son and his two min pin were also visiting, the three sat in the kitchen like angels. Outdoors all three bark, fight, snarl at each other. Some dogs just know. It's trial and error.
Karin

TJordan · Post by **TJordan** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:36 am

I think therapy dog would be wonderful way to help out with those silly pre concieved notions. I really wanted to try and do that with Butters but he went a little crazy. Still when people see him their eyes light up and he makes people smile. Isn't that the best part. Good luck!!!

Mally · Post by **Mally** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:08 pm

I too get very upset and angry when people TELL ME that Chows are vicious dogs. They go to the point of spreading ridiculous lies that Chows kill children and that many countries have banned Chows as pets! What disgusting lies!!!! Those people are completely ignorant about the breed - in fact 99% of them wouldn't even know what a Chow looks like! I have made the best decision of my life NOT to listen to them and GET a Chow and when the right time comes I will get another one or even two more!!!! YAY

chow fancier · Post by **chow fancier** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:38 pm

There are always going to be ignorant people in the world, all we can do is show by example how these magnificent creatures are loving, reasonable family members. Cinder has her CGC, the only part that was difficult was for her to allow a stranger to touch the top of her head. She would have earned it much earlier if it was allowed to ask the stranger to pet under the chin.

I think Teddy may be suited for Therapy Dog certification. He is friendly to all. We will go to obedience first and see how he does, I think the CGC is a prerequiste anyway. He learned sit and come within a couple of days of joining us, so I suspect he will excel.

midnightstars · Post by **midnightstars** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 8:06 pm

I had two female Chows one (STAR) just passed on in February of this year at age 14 I had her from 6 weeks old. The other is a rescue dog (Midnight) who was abused I got her when she was two. I used to take them with me to the nursing home to see my mother about 3 to 4 times a week. The residents loved them they each had their favorite but they were wonderful to the people Midnight was a little skittish at first but after a while she loved going. They loved going their and would have gone everyday with me if I let them. My mother use to hold the leash while I wheeled here around we use to visit with quite a lot of the residents. My mother has passed also this year but I plan to start taking midnight their again.

enchantedonyx · Post by **enchantedonyx** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:30 pm

Good for you, Johnathon. Your Chows are just gorgeous. We definitely need to let people know how great they are. Not too long ago, Amanda (Wildthings) and I took Fiona to the pet store. A woman and her teen daughter exited the store as we got out of the car. The teen stopped and said, "Oh Mom! Look at the Chow! Oh my God, it looks like Buddy did!" She stopped to say hello and slowly offer a hand to Fiona to sniff. Her mother stood about seven or eight feet away and had tears on her face as she nodded and said, "Yeah, It does. They're so beautiful."

On the way out of the store that day an older gentleman stopped us with a "That's a Chow, right?"
I said she was. He said he had a Chow mix and it was the best dog he'd ever met.

Sometimes it takes walking one in public to bring the Chow lovers out of the woodwork

And maybe convince others they aren't so bad after all.

coleywoley · Post by **coleywoley** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:45 pm

You aren't to far from us depending on which side of Atlanta you mean. I think it would be great to do the therapy dog training. It might change a few people's opinions and it is a great cause.

Victory · Post by **Victory** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 12:05 pm

Darkwind would have made a great thearpy chow, he was very very calm, nothing phased him, or startled him, (except big cars, trucks and buses). Firesong is a bit too high strung she may calm more as she ages.

Dreamdancer is a little young yet, but I think when he's a little over two he may make a good candidate. I would like to be able to take him to places where kids are, I see a need for kids to learn how to be around strange dogs here in Minneapolis.

Mia · Post by **Mia** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 2:49 pm

Oh, if I hear one more time, "When I was growing up there was this chow that lived down the street and he/she was just vicious and hated everyone," I am going to scream. So many people think I want to hear about the horrible chow they knew as a kid.

Either everyone lived on the same street or people just didn't understand them.

I took my new little bind guy to Starbucks today and some people backed away like he had the plague. Silly people.

Chow Chow Mama · Post by **Chow Chow Mama** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 3:39 pm

Mia wrote:Oh, if I hear one more time, "When I was growing up there was this chow that lived down the street and he/she was just vicious and hated everyone," I am going to scream. So many people think I want to hear about the horrible chow they knew as a kid.

Either everyone lived on the same street or people just didn't understand them.

I agree! I am so sick of hearing people say that they know someone who was MAULED by a chow.

I was actually mauled by a mix breed when I was about 5. I almost lost my eye sight and I have a scar across my right eye, on the side of my cheek, on my neck, and behind my ear. I don't rush up to people and tell them they shouldn't have a mix breed because I was mauled by one as a kid. And I certainly don't fear dogs because of it.

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