Stop!

Training and behavior topics, guidelines, and tips for Chow Chows.

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Naianna
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Stop!

Post by Naianna »

I have an 11 year old half chow, and a 1 year old full chow, as well as a heinz 57 shelter dog. Both of my chows will walk in front of me, both in the house and outside, and like to stop directly in front of me so i almost trip over them. My other dog never does this. I can't tell you how many times i've been walking down the hall and had a chow run to get in front of me, then stop dead so I have to dance a jig to not step on them or fall over them. Is this a chow thing? Anyone else have this with their chows? Any suggestions on breaking this behavior?
Katjusa
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Re: Stop!

Post by Katjusa »

That never happened to me. Though I have almost stepped on my chow quite a few times. She's sooo interested in all I'm doing and wants to be a part of it. So when I'm for instance washing the dishes she sits or walks around the kitchen watching me. She often comes and stands right behind me or something and I really need to be careful as not to step on her.

I have no advice for you, but others will I'm sure :D maybe your chows just think it's really funny watching you try not to fall over them. I really have no idea why they'd do that
Naianna
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Re: Stop!

Post by Naianna »

Yeah, when I'm cooking, they lay in a half circle behind me. I learned years ago to never step backwards in the kitchen :lol: We call the older chow "the black knight" from Monty Python, as he likes to lay in front of doors or paths when walking, with a "None shall pass!" defiant look.
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chowpups
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Re: Stop!

Post by chowpups »

Nikki does the stop thing too. I will be walking with a load of laundry in a basket and she will pop right in front of me and stop and I will try not to trip with the basket and stuff but she does it alot. And its funny cause we make her stop at the doors and we go out first and I thought maybe that had something to do with it . She is 4 and shes not showing any signs that she will be stopping it anytime soon .. and we've tried saying scoot and lets go (which is what we say when we take her out of a stay or sit position) and she still stands there. And Nikki also is a kitchen watcher, hoping something good will fall her way.. I always know to look for her behind me or under my feet somewhere.. rarely is she not next to me.
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duncansdd@juno.com
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Re: Stop!

Post by duncansdd@juno.com »

I got Titus out of this habit by NEVER yielding to him. Even if he just cuts in front of me, I go full steam ahead and got in the habit of saying firmly "excuse me" He will get a knee to the neck just by virtue of me not slowing/stopping. It didn't take long for him to understand and guests laugh because i still have the habit of saying excuse me to him when walking thru tight areas and he adjusts his stride. Everyone thinks it's so cute that he "knows" his manners. Again...practice practice...he will still catch me on occasion when neither one of us are paying attention but it isn't constant like in the beginning.
duncansdd@juno.com
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Re: Stop!

Post by duncansdd@juno.com »

Katjusa wrote:That never happened to me. Though I have almost stepped on my chow quite a few times. She's sooo interested in all I'm doing and wants to be a part of it. So when I'm for instance washing the dishes she sits or walks around the kitchen watching me. She often comes and stands right behind me or something and I really need to be careful as not to step on her.

Sounds like Titus as well. With his dark coat we were having that problem in the kitchen so I started putting his own towel or rug down a few feet away from traffic areas so he was still right there but was giving us our space. Works but i still need to remind him on occasion.

I have no advice for you, but others will I'm sure :D maybe your chows just think it's really funny watching you try not to fall over them. I really have no idea why they'd do that
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Victory
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Re: Stop!

Post by Victory »

This is a dominant behavior. I don't allow it, I say "excuse me" twice, then I say "MOVE" in a very aggressive low, growly voice. If they still don't move, (and that is very rare, or only when they are new or puppies), then I also walk straight on through and if they get stepped on, tough! Of course I never, ever walk around them or step over them, or allow them to go first through a door, or down the stairs before me. They are allowed to go up the stairs a head of me, but only when I tell them to "go".

Being the one with the right to move unobstructed or to go first is a very subtle Alpha thing, but one that will actually help you overall in the long run.
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Ursa's daddy
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Re: Stop!

Post by Ursa's daddy »

Victory, thanks for that information. My wife's complaint about my male is that he is always in the way. I don't have a problem, but she does and is constantly calling me to "come tell your dog to move." She will like that
"excuse me" twice, then I say "MOVE" in a very aggressive low, growly voice.
She typically uses her normal voice, and that is probably why she is ignored.
Clockman
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Re: Stop!

Post by Clockman »

Funny, I call Emma "NASCAR" on the stairs because no matter how far up them you are, she has to run up past you and get there first! On the way down, however, since the stairs are wood, she's like an old lady. She takes one step at a time (in the middle, of course) until I touch her bum with my foot and then it seems to remind her to get moving!

Off-leash outside, she does the same thing as early in this post. She will rush up in front and then stop dead. I've taken to plowing through her without hurting her, just to let her know it's not acceptable. With her, however, the message doesn't seem to sink in (or she doesn't care).
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48302922@N00/1967714019/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2073/196 ... 546cfc.jpg" width="500" height="111" alt="Emma" /></a>
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