New Rescue Chow Mix-- Need Help!
Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 9:38 am
Hey guys! My name is Emily, and we recently adopted a dog from the shelter, who is a chow mix. His name is Fettuccine, and is about 16 months old! I'm not entirely positive what else he is mixed with, but after exploring some images of chow mixes, he definitely fits the description! I have a few concerns with his behavior, but mainly am looking for suggestions on how to correctly train this type of dog. I know that he is a lost, confused, scared, little pup right now, and that patience and consistency will be a huge part of this process. I am not sure if I am speaking too soon here, since we have only had him since Saturday. However, I do want to start off on a good foot.
He appears to be such a docile, sweet boy who doesn't mind affection. However, he also has a mind of his own and is stubborn as anything. He gets mad and whimpers when I don't allow him to have what he wants-- this can be confusing, because I don't know how to differentiate from him having to go to the bathroom or one of his needs not being met(he does this even if I just let him out), or if he is just whining because he wants to get out and explore more. The poor little guy has heartworms and is currently on exercise restrictions, so unfortunately I am not able to allow him to release a lot of his nervous energy right now! He can only go on walks to the bathroom.
Here are a few concerns of mine!
1. We live in an apartment (cost of living in Denver is crazy!), and he seems to HATE the small space. Although our apartment is fairly open, it almost makes me feel that my home is inadequate for him. I am unsure if this is reality, or if it is just going to take a period of adjustment, since he came from the shelter and has been traveling around without a solid home for quite a while! I am not sure if the space is not enough for him, or how much space chows typically require. Once his heartworms are gone, I plan on exercising him quite a bit each day.
2. He ESCAPED from our apartment and his crate yesterday! We tried to barricade him initially in our kitchen/bathroom area (which is connected) so that he'd have more space, but he freaked out and kept knocking over the baby gate. I work 8-5 Monday-Friday, so we had no option but to try and crate him or contain him somehow! I came home for lunch to check on him/let him out, and he seemed fine. Apparently not-- he must have gotten mad that I left. Should I not leave him alone in the crate for that long of a time period? I only leave him for 4-5 hours at a time; I know he is going to take some time to acclimate to the crate. I just feel so badly leaving him in there!!
3. I've read a few things that suggest that chows don't respond well to normal training methods. Is this true? If so, what would be recommended to try and teach him basic commands?
4. He seemed really calm the first day or two, but now freaks out when we leave. We should have developed boundaries on the very first day with the crate, but we are new to this (and specifically this breed-- I have grown up with labs my entire life, and my fiance has with pugs) and we weren't quite sure how he felt or how to feel about him. How can I develop boundaries and discipline him but still show him a proper amount of love and affection?
Sorry this is SO LONG!! I'm just so concerned and overwhelmed, and unsure what to do. I love my little guy, and want to care for him. However, I also want him to be happy and safe in an environment with enough space and love for him-- I know we are capable of providing the love, but am not sure about the space. Any help anyone has to offer would be great! Thanks.
He appears to be such a docile, sweet boy who doesn't mind affection. However, he also has a mind of his own and is stubborn as anything. He gets mad and whimpers when I don't allow him to have what he wants-- this can be confusing, because I don't know how to differentiate from him having to go to the bathroom or one of his needs not being met(he does this even if I just let him out), or if he is just whining because he wants to get out and explore more. The poor little guy has heartworms and is currently on exercise restrictions, so unfortunately I am not able to allow him to release a lot of his nervous energy right now! He can only go on walks to the bathroom.
Here are a few concerns of mine!
1. We live in an apartment (cost of living in Denver is crazy!), and he seems to HATE the small space. Although our apartment is fairly open, it almost makes me feel that my home is inadequate for him. I am unsure if this is reality, or if it is just going to take a period of adjustment, since he came from the shelter and has been traveling around without a solid home for quite a while! I am not sure if the space is not enough for him, or how much space chows typically require. Once his heartworms are gone, I plan on exercising him quite a bit each day.
2. He ESCAPED from our apartment and his crate yesterday! We tried to barricade him initially in our kitchen/bathroom area (which is connected) so that he'd have more space, but he freaked out and kept knocking over the baby gate. I work 8-5 Monday-Friday, so we had no option but to try and crate him or contain him somehow! I came home for lunch to check on him/let him out, and he seemed fine. Apparently not-- he must have gotten mad that I left. Should I not leave him alone in the crate for that long of a time period? I only leave him for 4-5 hours at a time; I know he is going to take some time to acclimate to the crate. I just feel so badly leaving him in there!!
3. I've read a few things that suggest that chows don't respond well to normal training methods. Is this true? If so, what would be recommended to try and teach him basic commands?
4. He seemed really calm the first day or two, but now freaks out when we leave. We should have developed boundaries on the very first day with the crate, but we are new to this (and specifically this breed-- I have grown up with labs my entire life, and my fiance has with pugs) and we weren't quite sure how he felt or how to feel about him. How can I develop boundaries and discipline him but still show him a proper amount of love and affection?
Sorry this is SO LONG!! I'm just so concerned and overwhelmed, and unsure what to do. I love my little guy, and want to care for him. However, I also want him to be happy and safe in an environment with enough space and love for him-- I know we are capable of providing the love, but am not sure about the space. Any help anyone has to offer would be great! Thanks.