The first time Chow Chow owner?
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The first time Chow Chow owner?
Hi, firstly I just wanted to say I have been reading a lot of the threads on this forum and they have put a big smile on my face, so thank you everyone.
I'm new to the forum and am really glad I've found it since over all these months of researching chows for some reason this slipped by me.
I don't own a chow chow of my own but been doing a lot of research on the breed and I can understand from this that the chow is not a recommended breed for first time dog owners but on the flip side of this I have baby sat dogs and have a partner who had a german shepherd and a border collie so wouldn't be completely on my own.
I've read a fair few books on various breeds over the years and have not had this feeling when I read about chows, I feel like I have a connection where they fit my personality perfectly from the resources I've gathered.
I'm quite strict in the sense that I wouldn't put up with any nonsense and would want to be seriously socialising my pup intensely from the day I bring him home.
Just wanted to know what you think about first time chow owners and if there are any in the room?
I'd love to hear about your experiences of picking your chow and the settling in process as well as what methods you used to socialise your pup.
I'm new to the forum and am really glad I've found it since over all these months of researching chows for some reason this slipped by me.
I don't own a chow chow of my own but been doing a lot of research on the breed and I can understand from this that the chow is not a recommended breed for first time dog owners but on the flip side of this I have baby sat dogs and have a partner who had a german shepherd and a border collie so wouldn't be completely on my own.
I've read a fair few books on various breeds over the years and have not had this feeling when I read about chows, I feel like I have a connection where they fit my personality perfectly from the resources I've gathered.
I'm quite strict in the sense that I wouldn't put up with any nonsense and would want to be seriously socialising my pup intensely from the day I bring him home.
Just wanted to know what you think about first time chow owners and if there are any in the room?
I'd love to hear about your experiences of picking your chow and the settling in process as well as what methods you used to socialise your pup.
Re: The first time Chow Chow owner?
hi there!
i'm a first time chow owner since last november....Pong is now 6 months old. Actually, he just turned 6 months old yesterday!!!
I had dogs before...my last one was a poodle, and he was so well behaved and we got him when he was approx 2-3 yrs old. Sadly, he passed away around christmas 06. Im such an animal lover, so it was only a question of time before I got another dog. When my bf and I decided to move in together, we talked about getting a dog. I checked books and spent hours checking videos on youtube of chow chow puppies.....wow....fell in love with them!!!! They're like mini bears....
So, I started reading about them.....and to tell you the truth, some descriptions I read such as "not social" "aggressive" scared me a bit. Also, the fact that they have soooooo much fur....coz I was told I was allergic to cats & dogs after Oty died. Also, I've never seen a chow before....here in Montreal, its really rare that you see a chow. Anyways, we decided to look for a breeder...and talked and asked questions. Then, we decided to go meet her puppies.....my god, we both fell in love. They were so fluffy, calm, adorable, happy.....also, the parents were there and they seemed so "majestic". Even though they were bigger than what I'm used to, they seemed so well behaved. I played with both puppies and their parents to make sure I didn't have any allergic reactions.
When we got home, my bf and I started talking about it. If we get a puppy, it means full training for the first few years...so our lives will change a lot. At that moment, I was unemployed and wasnt going to school, so we agreed that I will mainly take care of the puppy for the first few weeks/months. No problem!
On Nov 6, when we went to get him, there was Pong and his brother. Pong was sooooooooo quiet, he didnt even move the whole time.......while his brother was barking a lot. You know how people tell you to test all your puppies senses before getting him to make sure he's active and healthy....well, he was the complete opposite, so I was a bit scared that he wasn't "ok". Anyways, we took him coz my bf was happy he was quiet. When we got home, he refused to walk. The next day, his socializing started! 
We brought him to my parents place, my sisters place, my bf's sisters place....Although he was still scared, he started walking with me outdoors. I was sooooooo relieved when he started running with me. It warmed my heart, I filmed it!!!! Pong is simply an angel....he was easy to train. By 2 months or so, he was fully trained to pee outside. Today, at 6 months old, he lovesssss playing with other dogs. We brought him to the dog park when he was only a few months old, so we would like to play with others. He's not aggressive at all, he's more submissive....but now, he'll defend himself better. When we cross another dog while walking, he cries coz he wants to play....even if the other dog growls at him. hehe.....He doesnt bite anything of ours, only plays with his toys. He's beautiful, he brush him every day....sometimes, 2x a day. He likes to play with children and now is less scared of strangers when they want to pat him. In fact, more than twice....we encountered ppl who were scared of him because of the "chow reputation", but at the end of our meeting, were surprised and relieved to know how a sweetie he is.
i'm a first time chow owner since last november....Pong is now 6 months old. Actually, he just turned 6 months old yesterday!!!
I had dogs before...my last one was a poodle, and he was so well behaved and we got him when he was approx 2-3 yrs old. Sadly, he passed away around christmas 06. Im such an animal lover, so it was only a question of time before I got another dog. When my bf and I decided to move in together, we talked about getting a dog. I checked books and spent hours checking videos on youtube of chow chow puppies.....wow....fell in love with them!!!! They're like mini bears....So, I started reading about them.....and to tell you the truth, some descriptions I read such as "not social" "aggressive" scared me a bit. Also, the fact that they have soooooo much fur....coz I was told I was allergic to cats & dogs after Oty died. Also, I've never seen a chow before....here in Montreal, its really rare that you see a chow. Anyways, we decided to look for a breeder...and talked and asked questions. Then, we decided to go meet her puppies.....my god, we both fell in love. They were so fluffy, calm, adorable, happy.....also, the parents were there and they seemed so "majestic". Even though they were bigger than what I'm used to, they seemed so well behaved. I played with both puppies and their parents to make sure I didn't have any allergic reactions.
When we got home, my bf and I started talking about it. If we get a puppy, it means full training for the first few years...so our lives will change a lot. At that moment, I was unemployed and wasnt going to school, so we agreed that I will mainly take care of the puppy for the first few weeks/months. No problem!
On Nov 6, when we went to get him, there was Pong and his brother. Pong was sooooooooo quiet, he didnt even move the whole time.......while his brother was barking a lot. You know how people tell you to test all your puppies senses before getting him to make sure he's active and healthy....well, he was the complete opposite, so I was a bit scared that he wasn't "ok". Anyways, we took him coz my bf was happy he was quiet. When we got home, he refused to walk. The next day, his socializing started! We brought him to my parents place, my sisters place, my bf's sisters place....Although he was still scared, he started walking with me outdoors. I was sooooooo relieved when he started running with me. It warmed my heart, I filmed it!!!! Pong is simply an angel....he was easy to train. By 2 months or so, he was fully trained to pee outside. Today, at 6 months old, he lovesssss playing with other dogs. We brought him to the dog park when he was only a few months old, so we would like to play with others. He's not aggressive at all, he's more submissive....but now, he'll defend himself better. When we cross another dog while walking, he cries coz he wants to play....even if the other dog growls at him. hehe.....He doesnt bite anything of ours, only plays with his toys. He's beautiful, he brush him every day....sometimes, 2x a day. He likes to play with children and now is less scared of strangers when they want to pat him. In fact, more than twice....we encountered ppl who were scared of him because of the "chow reputation", but at the end of our meeting, were surprised and relieved to know how a sweetie he is.-
Victory
- Rank 3
- Posts: 3658
- Joined: Thu Mar 03, 2005 7:03 am
- Location: North Chesterfield, (Right outside Richmond) Virginia
Re: The first time Chow Chow owner?
Chows aren't recommended for first time dog owners because of their dominance and independence.
A chow respects the person(s) who respect them, the best way to do this is to know what a canine is; a chow is a canine, (with feline and ursine components) not a furry human. This is where most people really screw up, trying to treat the chow like a human, and it doesn't work. This is why chows aren't recommended for first time dog owners, it is recommended that a future chow owner have some idea what a canine is and how a canine thinks already. People normally make one of two mistakes with chows, 1) They attempt to treat the chow like a furry human slave. yanking and bossing it around. It doesn't work; the chow either becomes fearful and dangerous or agressive and dangerous. 2) they treat the chow like a percocious human child; doesn't work. The chow becomes agressive and takes over. Both these things have one thing in common, a lack of leadership.
Force and rigid strictness doesn't work well with chows, some may become afraid of you, (and other humans) and obey from fear until the day they react with too much fear and bite, but most will fight such things to the death. A chow is going to test you, for it's entire life, the best thing is to do is to develop a good sense of humor about it, because they are going to test their entire lives.
Not setting rules though shows a lack of leadership and this leads to a chow that is insecure, insecurity leads to aggressive/dominant behavior. By setting up rules, by being the alpha, the chow will relax and become secure and this is what you want.
A chow respects the person(s) who respect them, the best way to do this is to know what a canine is; a chow is a canine, (with feline and ursine components) not a furry human. This is where most people really screw up, trying to treat the chow like a human, and it doesn't work. This is why chows aren't recommended for first time dog owners, it is recommended that a future chow owner have some idea what a canine is and how a canine thinks already. People normally make one of two mistakes with chows, 1) They attempt to treat the chow like a furry human slave. yanking and bossing it around. It doesn't work; the chow either becomes fearful and dangerous or agressive and dangerous. 2) they treat the chow like a percocious human child; doesn't work. The chow becomes agressive and takes over. Both these things have one thing in common, a lack of leadership.
Force and rigid strictness doesn't work well with chows, some may become afraid of you, (and other humans) and obey from fear until the day they react with too much fear and bite, but most will fight such things to the death. A chow is going to test you, for it's entire life, the best thing is to do is to develop a good sense of humor about it, because they are going to test their entire lives.
Not setting rules though shows a lack of leadership and this leads to a chow that is insecure, insecurity leads to aggressive/dominant behavior. By setting up rules, by being the alpha, the chow will relax and become secure and this is what you want.
Victory, Darkwind, (our angel), Firesong, and Dreamdancer
Thank you SweetPea!
Thank you SweetPea!
Re: The first time Chow Chow owner?
We are first time chow/dog owners, Henry will be 4 this year. We have been consistent with training etc. He is a fab boy and has been good for us, no real issues with him. He has spoiled me for other breeds! 
p.s. didn't know much about chows, hadn't found the forum yet and had never even met a chow before!!!!!
p.s. didn't know much about chows, hadn't found the forum yet and had never even met a chow before!!!!!
Thank you Sweatpea
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Re: The first time Chow Chow owner?
Hi there and welcome to the site.
I was a first time dog owner who did almost no research on chows. I had always wanted one because they looked so cuddly but had never been a dog person so never wanted to own a "dog". I just learnt as I went and I expect I made a few mistakes along the way but basically my phylosophy with Bramble is to keep showing her what I want and as she has matured she has slowly learnt to be the chow I want her to be and to follow the rules which are few in this house because I dont really need to make any. Patience is the key word with chows - and probably other dogs as well. I take Bramble to a class once a week and she learns some obedience training but she is so unmotivated by treats that it has not been a huge success though she will now stay one side of the hall while I walk to the other end and come. She will walk with all the other owners in the class and she has learnt that people are OK. I dont really need her to jump through hoops so I am happy with that. She walks by my side in the street on a lead without pulling now, she comes in from the garden when shes told (except when its snowing) and she doesn't go up stairs other than that she lives pretty much as she wants. She will allow me to retrieve dead animals from her mouth and the only thing she doesn't like is having her nails trimmed. I have never shouted at her or raised a finger because it was not neccessary. I dont think she would cope if I ever did because she trusts me completely and utterly. If we meet a strange dog she looks at me as the pack leader to protect her. She is a delight to live with I love her to bits and I wouldn't have any other dog.
Good luck with your chow hunt.
I was a first time dog owner who did almost no research on chows. I had always wanted one because they looked so cuddly but had never been a dog person so never wanted to own a "dog". I just learnt as I went and I expect I made a few mistakes along the way but basically my phylosophy with Bramble is to keep showing her what I want and as she has matured she has slowly learnt to be the chow I want her to be and to follow the rules which are few in this house because I dont really need to make any. Patience is the key word with chows - and probably other dogs as well. I take Bramble to a class once a week and she learns some obedience training but she is so unmotivated by treats that it has not been a huge success though she will now stay one side of the hall while I walk to the other end and come. She will walk with all the other owners in the class and she has learnt that people are OK. I dont really need her to jump through hoops so I am happy with that. She walks by my side in the street on a lead without pulling now, she comes in from the garden when shes told (except when its snowing) and she doesn't go up stairs other than that she lives pretty much as she wants. She will allow me to retrieve dead animals from her mouth and the only thing she doesn't like is having her nails trimmed. I have never shouted at her or raised a finger because it was not neccessary. I dont think she would cope if I ever did because she trusts me completely and utterly. If we meet a strange dog she looks at me as the pack leader to protect her. She is a delight to live with I love her to bits and I wouldn't have any other dog.
Good luck with your chow hunt.
Siriol, Bramble, Izzie and Isla.
Re: The first time Chow Chow owner?
Thanks for everyones replies, I know a lot of holding and love is envolved with the socialisation especially when it comes to the other people holding your chow.
I bought a book recently on chows but I wonder if there is and ultimate 'Chow bible' of some kind?
I bought a book recently on chows but I wonder if there is and ultimate 'Chow bible' of some kind?
Re: The first time Chow Chow owner?
Really, your best bet is to read this site. For specifics, type a keyword in the search, and see what comes up. I agree that Chows are a challenge, and first time dog owners should really think about getting one. Having said that, it can be done by a first timer, but basic training classes as well as research will go a long way toward success. The main thing to think about, is are you a good match? If you want a cuddly little muffin, a Chow may NOT be for you. It is the Chow's bad luck to look cuddly because it is antithema to their basic personality. My little love muffin could not have cared less about me for quite some time. We have some Chow owners who are tickled pink (or purple) to get a little kiss. Other Chows are lickers. Expecting a Chow to be doggy like is a big mistake. Think more cat-like. Also, some say they are stupid, but that is not true. They are very good at sussing a situation and manipulating to get things their own way. Cute as a chowling, as an uncontrollable adult, not so much. If this is an adventure you would like to take, we will be happy to help any way we can.
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annrosaire
- Rank 0
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 10:47 am
- Location: Pennsylvania
Re: The first time Chow Chow owner?
Hi everyone,
I too have been reading this site for the past few weeks and just joined now. I did my research on chows and being a first time dog owner I was worried about owning a Chow. However, this site has given me valuable information and I intend to socialize my puppy and take him to classes, etc to help. I'm confident that this breed is perfect for me, I found a great breeder and now all I'm doing is waiting for mother nature to provide me with my "baby puppy" -as he is called right now.
This forum is great and thanks to everyone for all of your insight and knowledge - it will be so useful once I finally bring him home and I look forward to your continued support!
I too have been reading this site for the past few weeks and just joined now. I did my research on chows and being a first time dog owner I was worried about owning a Chow. However, this site has given me valuable information and I intend to socialize my puppy and take him to classes, etc to help. I'm confident that this breed is perfect for me, I found a great breeder and now all I'm doing is waiting for mother nature to provide me with my "baby puppy" -as he is called right now.
This forum is great and thanks to everyone for all of your insight and knowledge - it will be so useful once I finally bring him home and I look forward to your continued support!
Re: The first time Chow Chow owner?
Yeah, another PA chow owner.. glad to see that ..Hope all goes well for you . I know Nikki is just the right dog for us.. congrats.
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annrosaire
- Rank 0
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 10:47 am
- Location: Pennsylvania
Re: The first time Chow Chow owner?
Thanks...I'm getting excited and I just tell myself this is the first of many tests on my patience, hahaha. I'm hoping to get him in the next 2 months!
Re: The first time Chow Chow owner?
there is a chow show in PA this coming week in Camp Hill ...woul dbe a great place to meet fellow chow owners and lots of great breeders !
thanks sweetpea