New Chow Puppy

[Prince Porter]

Hi from Australia!

I've been reading all these forums religiously in the months leading up to getting my baby Chow and increasingly still in the last 3 weeks of having him! I've attached a photo to this post.

porter.JPG (28.3 KiB) Viewed 6326 times

He will be 11 weeks old on Monday. Generally speaking he is fantastic - his bite inhibitions is great, he sits when I say, and drops. He's pretty good on a lead and loves attention from people - he's such a rock star in our neighbourhood! I brush him everyday and he is very patient.I've also been washing him once a week and blow drying him - he finds the dryer a bit stressful but nothing a few treats doesn't fix.

So the problems....

He seems to get separation anxiety from me, in particular (opposed to Trent, my boyfriend who I live with). When ever I leave he barks so loudly! Even if I just go down stairs or close the door in our room. He has been getting better - he slept through last night with his bed right outside our bedroom and the door closed (he usually sleeps next to be on the floor). But that morning I fed him and played with him, gave him love then went about some house work and he wanted to play with the doona in our room while I was putting away washing. I told him a stern no a few times, and generally tryed to ignore him unless correcting his behaviour. Being a girl I find that to get the point across I have to get down right in his face holding the scruff of his neck and say a lound "BAH!" nad/or growl before he stops. 9/10 this works but sometimes he just barks right back at me - which he did this morning. So I escorted him out of the bedroom and shut the door so I could do my washing- and sooooo much barking! I ignored him and his barking for about and hour while I did the house work but it didn't stop. I had to vacuum so I tethered him to the table while I went about it. He's not scared of the vacuum and was fine - no barking - but as soon as I was out of his view it starts again. Then needed to mop (so many little paw prints!), so I got a raw bone and put him out side with it - and he was fine because he had his treat. This is fairly standard! When I leave I try to distract him with food and then he's fine but I can't do this every time I need to leave the room! He'll get fat!

His barking is very loud and I'm worried about when I go back to work on Monday. I'll leave at 9, then Trent will leave at 9:30-10. I come home at lunch 1-2 and then home again at 5:30. It's a lot of coming and going and I've worried about strwessing him out or enabling this barking habit. I'm in an apartemt so I can't have him being so noisy!

Any tips?!

Thanks,

Chloe.

[BeckiHutton]

Crate training I have heard work very well. I haven't tried it with my chow girl but it may be worth a try before you go back to work.

[Sarahloo]

Hi!
What a cute creature! Make sure he's always tired! Take him on many small, exciting walks and play with him. When it's time to ignore him, do just that, ignore him. Don't pull his neck or anything. Just a short "shut up!" and then really ignore him. He will realize that there is such a thing as quiet time and he will use it to rest and nap after a while!
I love Trent's and your schedule. It seems ideal for keeping a dog. I'm a little jealous!

[cherriemater]

Such BIG fluffy paws!!! What a gorgeous Boy-o. Welcome to the forum and thanks for speaking up! I can't wait to hear what others have to say. From what I've read, I'd have to agree with Becki. The crate becoming their "haven" whether it's when you're away or when there's a crowd at your place. The crate is a place of rest and escape.

[sue]

By what you have written a most important point never bend down and put your face close to his by accident you could end up being bitten hes very young and wont understand.Secondly hes playing you your being dog trained when telling him no dont touch him,touch is praise it sends a mixed message.Always stand tall head up shoulders back dont look at him just leave the room.When hes being left on his own you might want to leave a clock that ticks loudly this represents the mothers heart beat.Try putting your coat on and walking out of the front door wait 5 minutes then go back inside.When going back inside dont look at him if he runs up to you paws at you etc ignore him dont make it a big deal that you left the house when he has calmed down wait about 10 minutes then call him to you and give praise.He has to learn that praise is given when you choose to give it not when he asks for it.
I hope all goes well for you

[Rex343]

Hi everyone it's been along time since we have been on the forum. Would like to update everyone on Rex, he is still a sweetheart but has taken on a very stubborn streak lately. I do believe he is in his teen years. If we tell him no he will turn his back on us or go into another room and sulk. A few months ago we adopted an American Bulldog(Johnson) from the Humane Society. Her name is Molli, her and Rex get along great unless Rex is in a snit. Molli is a big girl weighing in at 120lbs, while Rex our little meatball weighs 75lbs, but don't let that fool you he puts her in her place. They play in the yard with Molli running and nipping at Rex and virsa versa. A few weeks ago we had some wonderfull weather(we live in the Seattle area) so we bought a kiddy pool for the dogs, Molli had a ball in it, but as you guessed Rex was to dignified to even think of going in. Then we started doing work in the back yard so put the pool there and my husband put the hose in to fill and guess he forgot it, by the time we reliezed it the dogs were mudballs digging in the holes the hose caused.Rex didn't have a problem playing in it then,guess he figured the other neighborhood dogs couldn't see him back there.
Now to reply to New Chow Puppy, please don't get in your puppys face and yell at him it only teaches him to be more vocal. The louder you get, the louder he gets, they think it's a game and they are willing to play for as long as you play. Our Molli is in the terrible twos right now and will stand in front of me and bark, growl and bare her teeth, I just look at her and tell her very calmly that she is acting like a bad kid and then ignore her. Rex never did these type of things, he just turns his back and ignores us.
But I will say you have a beautifull puppy, good luck with your training and remember be patient, they are like kids.

[Prince Porter]

Hi all,

Thanks so much for your responses - this forum is such an invaluable resource for chow chow owners!

I can't bring myself to crate train him and I'm not sure it would fit in to our schedule as I'm constantly in and out with him, going down the coast, to friends places and having people over here. Most of the time when he finally gets home he just wants to collapse in a heap and sleep on the floor next to my feet! It's only when he isn't tired that he mucks up, which makes me think excercise should be the first port of call for my little Porter. Then food, water and sleep Here's some recent pics-

Chasing Trent at the beach

IMG_3399.JPG (76.75 KiB) Viewed 6263 times

IMG_3416.JPG (90.8 KiB) Viewed 6263 times

Me and my baby at the Beach

IMG_3420.JPG (74.66 KiB) Viewed 6263 times

We took him to the vet yesterday and she said that humping at his age is him showing his dominance - is that true? He doesn't do it very often, once or twice a week, and I correct him. Also, I like to have hime sllep outside our room, but sometimes it's noce to have him on the floor next to the bed... is that bad? Like last night we went out from 8pm untill 1:30am and when we came home he had missed us so much I couldn't just shut him out! He sits at the top of the stairs doing his cute little whimper sound and wagging his tail like crazy when we get home! How an I resist saying hello and giving him a big hug?! Is it really bad.. am I enabling separation anxiety? If he barks I ignore him - but a cute little tail wag and a whimper... naawww! I can't' ignore that

Another question - a couple around the corner are in love with him and thinking of getting one for themselves. They have a hat shop down the road form my work and around the corner from home and have offered to look after him during the day. They have a big concrete secrure yard out the back. Do you think that's okay? Is that better thn leaving him at home alone?

Thanks for the tips on training - I've read on other posts to growl and bark in a low voice to assert my "alpha" position when he's mucking up (chewing furniture, jumping up on the couch, chasing feet and biting touser legs) but will stop that now and focus on getting him tired and full and giving him praise when he's being an angel (which is 90% of the time). It's just hard when he's mucking up to ignore him because I need to stop him from doind what he's doing... otherwise he will just keep on doing it! So hard someties to know what the right thing is to do! It's like having a toddler!

I really hope he grows up into a well rounded, calm, docile and friendly dog and would do anthing to ensure that happens

Thanks again guys!

Chloe xx

[Victory]

Hi all,

Thanks so much for your responses - this forum is such an invaluable resource for chow chow owners!

I can't bring myself to crate train him and I'm not sure it would fit in to our schedule as I'm constantly in and out with him, going down the coast, to friends places and having people over here. Most of the time when he finally gets home he just wants to collapse in a heap and sleep on the floor next to my feet! It's only when he isn't tired that he mucks up, which makes me think excercise should be the first port of call for my little Porter. Then food, water and sleep Here's some recent pics-



We took him to the vet yesterday and she said that humping at his age is him showing his dominance - is that true? He doesn't do it very often, once or twice a week, and I correct him. Also, I like to have hime sllep outside our room, but sometimes it's noce to have him on the floor next to the bed... is that bad? Like last night we went out from 8pm untill 1:30am and when we came home he had missed us so much I couldn't just shut him out! He sits at the top of the stairs doing his cute little whimper sound and wagging his tail like crazy when we get home! How an I resist saying hello and giving him a big hug?! Is it really bad.. am I enabling separation anxiety? If he barks I ignore him - but a cute little tail wag and a whimper... naawww! I can't' ignore that

Another question - a couple around the corner are in love with him and thinking of getting one for themselves. They have a hat shop down the road form my work and around the corner from home and have offered to look after him during the day. They have a big concrete secrure yard out the back. Do you think that's okay? Is that better thn leaving him at home alone?

Thanks for the tips on training - I've read on other posts to growl and bark in a low voice to assert my "alpha" position when he's mucking up (chewing furniture, jumping up on the couch, chasing feet and biting touser legs) but will stop that now and focus on getting him tired and full and giving him praise when he's being an angel (which is 90% of the time). It's just hard when he's mucking up to ignore him because I need to stop him from doind what he's doing... otherwise he will just keep on doing it! So hard someties to know what the right thing is to do! It's like having a toddler!

I really hope he grows up into a well rounded, calm, docile and friendly dog and would do anthing to ensure that happens

Thanks again guys!

Chloe xx

Okay. First off crating him isn't punishment, it is paying attention to his needs as a CANINE. They actually need a space that is 100% theirs where they feel safe and secure. A crate or a darkened bathroom, (or under the bed) is perfect for this. And yes all canines need enough exercise to burn off that energy, especially puppies, who need to be diverted from being destructive or miss behaving. And they are all much more willing to listen and learn if tired out, (but not to the point where they are asleep).

Next, figure out a place for him to sleep and keep him there, at his age he needs consistency, he either sleeps out of your room or in it, but don't change it on him. My two sleep in my room but not in my bed, he sleeps where he has since he was a puppy, under my bed, and she sleeps at the foot on the floor, or if she's nervous about something at the side of it. Also talk to your chow, this helps establish a routine. When I am ready to go to bed, I say, "lets go to sleep guys" and they beat me to the bedroom door. When I leave in the morning, I say, "See ya later guys, be good, " and they go to their places to wait for me to come home. Also if we take a trip in the car, it's "Come on guys, let's go for a ride." Chows can learn an amazing amount of words and vocal signals for things, so communicate with your chow. (I see lots of people walking other breeds and they never talk to them, it amazes me, cause I'm always talking to my chows)

If he's having seperation anxiety, DO NOT make a big deal of it when you come home. ignore him for a few, (yeah I know it's hard), and then a simple, hi boy, and ignore him some more. If you make your home coming a big deal where he gets lots of attention, he'll be looking forward to it and act up until you get home and give him that attention.

Humping, yep, it's a dominance thing and a firm "NO!" and if he doesn't obey and time out will correct this. I've had three adult intact males and not one of them humped because they had been trained not to. It is very annoying when a dog is allowed this behavior and it often doesn't stop completely with neutering so training him not to now is important.

As for being baby sat with another chowling, that would depend, I wouldn't want to leave two chows outside in a concrete yard with no shelter in the summer. They are very susceptible to heat problems. If they had access to the house or the garage where they could go to cool off or hide from bad weather then okay, as long as the yard was really secure. Chows are escape artists, they can dig through a lot of things, (or just go through a fence when they grown because of their strength) Also, people who fight dogs like to find chows to use as bait dogs so you want a place that is secure against people too.

As far as correcting bad behavior, this is okay, as long as it is consistent, if you don't want him on the furniture and he jumps up, there is nothing wrong with saying, "NO, Down!" and making sure he obeys. but then don't pay attention to him, the next thing you should say when he jumps down it, "go lay down." Then call him to you in 10-15 minutes. He has to learn that if you are upset over a behavior he gets nothing from you. That way when he is big and he tests you, (he's a chow he will test) all you have to do it call his name and say, "umm," and he will stop whatever it is.

Also I had to laugh at your use of the word "docile" you do know you have a chow right? Docile is not a word I would use with a chow, even a calm one. My Darkwind was the most laid back, friendly, calm chow I've ever had, nothing phased him, but he's the one that growled at the prowler in the hallway, he's the one that faced down the drunk. He's also the one that put his adopted sister Firesong on her back a couple of times when she needed it.

[MissV]

Some awesome advice in that post!
Thanks!

You know, i didnt even know the humping thing was a dominance thing until i googled it last night in bed. I was thinking: "hmmm, why doesnt chowlie hump my leg and only my boyfriends? Why did she try hump the kitty?" then i read it was a dominance thing and it made perfect sense.
This thread now has just confirmed that.

Its sad to see that she ranks my boyfriend so low. Its his own fault anyway.

oh, and just something awesome i picked up from puppy school.... in case anyone with a puppy wants it:
I was walking my chowlie with a normal leather collar and lead for the past 2 months. It was all going fine, but she used to pull on the lead a lot. In the last few days, she was really acting mental on the leash. She would try jump into the road, oh gosh - its was a nightmare. My puppy trainer saw her doing it at class this past weekend and told me to get a choke chain. I've NEVER wanted to get one. To me it looks horrid ;( But she showed me how to loop to so it lets loose really easily. She also told me that the noise gives them a fright when they jerk, and they quickly stop. I've walked chowlie on the new choke-chain and lead for 4 walks now, and its like i'm walking a different dog. She got it VERY quickly! Best piece of advice i ever received

Hope it helps!

[Sarahloo]

There is no NEED to crate! It's jusat something that people do because it is convenient for them. I hand the whole house over to the dog and the cat in the morning and I have had no problems with it.
I am very much in favour of giving your dog a warm welcome when you get home! Whyever not? You love him and he loves you. Dogs love enthusiasm, and I give them loads of it! I do not, however, make a fuss when I'm leaving.

About leaving him with others during the day: not necessary, with your dog-friendly schedule, but maybe quite nice, if they are great people! You need to get to know them, obviously, you can't leave him with just anyone (what if they decide they don't want to give him back? Maybe get something in writing?), you need to be on the same page about things like punishments, and then they need to get to know him quite well and you need to do it over time, gradually.
If they are wonderful people, why not, but make sure you don't create a dog that simply cannot be alone!!! That will get you into trouble really quick!
And think about possible jealousy issues. He's going to get attached to them too, and might not be ready to leave when you come to pick him up. Can you deal with that in order to make his life even more fun than it already is?

[Ursa's daddy]

Crate training per say is probably more of a human thing rather than a dog thing. My doberman raising friend swears by it. She believes it gives the dog a sense of ownership. I have never formally crate trained any of my dogs. Typically, we have taught our dogs to "go to your bed". This has worked well with all our dogs except the chows, who have no desire to lie on a bed or specific throw rug. Having said this, I have noted that Ursa exhibited what I would call a denning tendency. She would find a small space where she would stay. The first few weeks, she would hide behind the toilet in the bathroom. It wasn't long before she out grew that location, and would stay behind the couch. Eventually this too became a bit small. Eventually, she settled on the corner behind the lazy boy recliner which was in the corner of the room. It was covered with a spread, since the cats slept on it, and the spread draped over the back to make a dark space. We have moved, so the furniture is no longer arranged in this manner, and Ursa no longer has a specific place where she stays.

[Jdcell100]

You have an absolute gorgeous chowling. Get a crate it will work wonders we got a male 10 week old blue chowling it his past January hell be 1 in a month. He is the greatest dog we ever ever owned he is truly part of the family. We used the crate for the first 2 or 3 months we had him. And it worked great now the crate just holds all his toys only Time he goes in there is to get a toy. One thing I noticed is our chow loves routine your going o have many happy years with yr chow good luck. It seems yr doing all the right things. Just do consider the crate

[cherriemater]

Ursa's Daddy: You've just brought me a memory!!! Kimba was a "denner" too. At my hubby's trailer before we got married, she had a tunnel behind the sofa from the corner where she'd spend most of her time during the day. When we got married and move in together, she started sitting/sleeping/being under the table I had in the front window that held all my plants. They drooped over the table and she had a nice little den there. Then, we moved again and under the kitchen table was her new "place," as well as in front of the sliding glass door. She would go "hide" under the kitchen table when my husband would say, "gotta go to work," to which she would lower her head, slunk over to her spot and pout for a couple hours. The sliding glass door was another one of her spots where she could "watch the neighborhood" and where she would eventually see "Dad's" truck turn the corner. She would then run from door to door to window to window barking this low howl, "Ohhhhww, Daddy's home, Daddy's home!! Ohwwt ohwwt open up and let me see Daddy!!"

Oh how I miss that girlie-girl!!

[Prince Porter]

Thanks guys! Porter is doing so much better - I think he just needed to get used me leaving and coming back. He just sleeps when I'm at work I'm come up the stairs and he's sitting there looking at me with this sleepy look He's such a little fatty - growing everyday!

I let the girl at he hat shop take him for an afternoon on Monday - he sat up the front of the store watching the world go by - he had the best time! She's had people come in the rest of the week looking for him! What a little celebrity! She wants to take him every Monday which I'll do for a few weeks - It great socialisation for him.

I'm glad to hear some of you have the dogs sleep in the bedroom with you - because I hate shutting him out! I just thought I should.... I've read things about "territories" and dominance... but I love having him near me.

Trent will start taking him to work next year when he's in his new office and Porter's matured a little.

Thanks again everyone!

C xx