Nobody likes an unhappy Chow!

[Clockman]

I can't get that line out of my head from Dogs 101 on Animal Planet. Well, I have an unhappy Chow. Emma's 4 years old now and "bored". Yes, I'll take the Chow's share of the blame, but I'm in a bit of a time-bind. She gets to be off-leash in the yard several times a day (2.5 acres of yard, wood and brush) for about 10 to 15 minutes. She then spends her day on a huge run line where she has shade and sun (she sunbathes during the fall and spring).

In the evening, she comes in for supper and hangs around with me for some tv time and chores. Out she goes one last time (or more) to go potty and we wrap up the evening. In the meantime, there's tons of whining and following me around, laying in the way of my computer chair (so I can't roll around) or on my feet. I've tried a treat ball, but she'll bat it for a while and then whine at it and walk away (bored). She doesn't play with toys at all and she doesn't seem interested in games (maybe a couple minutes of rough play with some mouthing...no real biting).

Now, the problem is I don't have a ton of time these days to stop and take a 30 minute walk every day. There aren't any other Chows (that I know of) in my area, so play groups don't exist.

How do I make my Chow "happy"?

[cherriemater]

Do you have any "low" windows for her to look through? We didn't have any at our trailer but when we moved to our current home we had a double sliding glass door that Kimba would spend the ENTIRE day at, if she wasn't outside. She would Yarp at cars going by the intersection, say "Hello" to neighbors walking to the post office or just visually "patrol." If you do not, perhaps you could build a ramp and stage at an unused window so if she cannot be outside physically she'll have enough visual stimulation. She also got lots of fresh air here, too. Spring Summer Fall the door was either opened or cracked. Winter-time our weather-stripping wasn't the greatest so she still got a whiff of freshness. Just a thought.

[shelbyC105]

Hello! To me it sounds like your chow just needs some exercise and to be challenged. Its crazy how exercise can help with nervousness, aggression, and just plain ol' unhappy chows. one thing that i learned is if you have your dog wear a dog backpack and fill each side zipper pocket with water bottles the dog will get double the work out in half the time and they feel like they have a job to do and are working. It has worked great with my previous dogs. Let me know if you find anything that helps!

[Ursa's daddy]

Hi shelbyC105, I like that idea of the backpack with the water bottles. I have a friend that has Dobies, and her idea is that it is important to give the dog a "job". The type of job is irrelevant, so long as the dog thinks it is important.

[Sarahloo]

Warning: unpopular opinion:

You're home all day and can't squeeze a short walk in? You're home all day and yet your Chow lives outside? Why?
Make TV time walkie time! Problem solved! TV's stupid anyway!
Setting up any indoor game and playing it with her takes more time than a walk!
Emma is at the height of her physical fitness at 4 years old, and desperately needs exercise! Her brain needs the stimulation of new sounds, sights and smells! So please walk her!

[cherriemater]

I have to agree with Sarah on this. Over this Christmas holiday both Joe and I have been sick. Me with eye and ear problems so I have not allowed myself outdoors for long periods of time. Joe has done some walking but he's sick, too. The boys have been troopers but I can see how bored they get which means they play a little rougher with each other. Walking and not just walking but PLAYING, stimulation, hunting, etc., are what our boys need. Joe and I have both determined to bundle up tight and let them loose over at the park for an hour of exhausting, playful hunting. I know the boys will love that and they will be more peaceful and able to rest when they get home.

If you have a physical condition that does not allow you extended periods of walk time, please consider hiring a neighbor or someone you trust to take your chow-love for a romp outside. Chows may be aloof, but they still need a connection and like Sarah said, stimulation.

Also ... please let us know how she's doing.

[Ursa's daddy]

In the meantime, there's tons of whining and following me around, laying in the way of my computer chair (so I can't roll around) or on my feet.

I reread your post. Sounds like your chow wants some attention from YOU. If your computer is that important to your life, you already have a laptop or a tablet, so you can have the computer with you. Get out of the chair and down of the floor with Emma. She will love it. You can prop the laptop on her and rub her chest while reading your mail. When I come home, my two are there to greet me. I get out the van and walk to the fence where Malachi is there waiting to smell me to find out what I have been doing. Ursa will stand back a few feet until I call her over. When I was working away from home, Kitty (wife) would tell me how Malachi would go around the garage looking for me.
You watch tv in the evening. I will get on the floor with Malachi to watch tv. He makes a reasonable head rest, and he appreciates the attention. Emma is trying to communicate with you. Sit down with her and ask her what she wants. In the morning, when I get up, Ursa is there by the bed and she will roll over for me to rub her and give her a hug. She wait for me to get brush my teeth, get dressed, etc, then will be there by me to make sure that I am going downstairs to let her out. What she is wanting is attention from me. I have been really amazed about how chows want to bond with the people in their lives.