Can I get a chow?

[yazzle]

Hi im a student living alone and I've been thinking about getting a chow chow. My only concern is when I am in my classes is it ok for me to leave the chow at home alone? I only have 3 days a week of classes, monday 9am-10am and 5 30pm-630pm, tuesday 12pm-5pm, friday 11am-3pm. Based on this timetable would you advise me to do so?

[natalies]

I am also a full time student and have a chow who is left home for 10 hours alone at home a few days each month. He is fine but has been known to use my shoes in lieu of his toys. But it's not only about the hours that you'll be home for, the financial situation has to be considered, as well as time for training and socialisation. I have taken, and still do, my boy everywhere I go to meet new people and dogs which has accounted for his pleasant demeanour. I also found the time to take him to classes as well as ongoing training at home. Recently I had to shell out $800 for his desexing and entropian surgery, the latter which he has to get redone. Not to mention all the money spent on grooming equipment, leashes, harnesses, collars, food and treats. Nobody can tell you whether having a chow is for you; but if you are willing to put in the time, effort and money into you chow, they'll most likely make a great companion! It's definitely worth it if you love that kind of stubborn independent boof-headed nature that chows seem to be famous for

[Cafe_Latte]

Before getting a chow chow, it would probably be worth while to getting to know the breed first. One of the main reason why people get chow chow's is they look cute when in puppy form. But as they grow and get older, their personality really start to blossom, and as Natalie mentioned, they're a great companion, ...independent and stubborn, and to add other characteristics like one person/family dog, territorial, protective, aloof (much like a cat) and the ultimate guard dog (willing to take care of the problem), but this is the main reason why people surrender them. Also you have to be the alpha pack leader otherwise they'll control you.
They expect that teddy bear looking and playfulness to continue, sometimes it does, most of the time it doesn't.
One of the main challenges I have with my 3 chows is when out in public, everyone wants to pet them, If they don't know - you're invading on their territory or space, out come the protective and defensive nature in them, which is why they will get a bad rep for being aggressive or mean. Which isn't true.

Think of how you respond to strangers approaching and encroach upon your space, then try to touch you.

Since I have had chow's for the most of my life to current, I have gotten use to their behavior, needs/wants and do's/dont's, I enjoy having them in my life.
And have no problems in wanting to own them.

-s

[twistedcaduceus]

It's totally possible to get a chow or any other dog in that matter while at school. I am no longer in college but my sched is way worse than when I was in the university. I am a nurse and that means I have to work a few 12h shifts in a week. On top of that, I work night shift. There are other people in my house with the same crazy schedule so they do not really help with my Shadow. Its was difficult at first because hiring a dog walker to come let the dog out midday (or in my case, midnight) is impossible. You cannot get a dog walker, at least where I live, to do that. What works with potty training for me is that I got my dog on wintertime and she refuse to poop and pee on the snow. She will just play, then go inside and poop and pee on her puppy pads and since I live in the city and doesn't have a yard, I cannot have a doggie door that will let her out even if Im not home (she is not crated btw, I use baby gates when she was younger and now she doesn't get into areas where shes not supposed to be until I say its ok). This forced me to think of other ways for her to relieve herself without the mess and without supervision required. Since she was good with using puppy pads, I tried to use the pan of an old hamster cage I had. Fill it with cat litter and the other half is with a pad. Once she reliably uses the pan, I transitioned her to a bigger plastic container as she gets bigger. Now she is litter trained like a cat. She never had any accidents as long as I keep it clean.

Company for Shadow wasn't an issue since there are people in my house all the time and I play with her whenever I'm home. We also started running together. This makes her calmer and mellower. Having a 1 yo dog is like having a 4 yo kid that runs around nonstop.

I would also like to repeat what Cafe_Latte said about a Chow's attitude which I called its "Chowness." Chows are and forever will be a one person/family dog. They are very aloof and takes a long time before they trust you. I had my chow since she was 11 weeks old. She's only comfortable with my sister and I. She is very distant from my mom and dad which both lives with me. They always said she just tolerates them just coz they were already present in the house when I got her. That shows how hardcore they are with becoming a one person/one family dog.

So before you get one, think very very hard. Don't buy one on impulse. They are cute when puppies but their personality is a totally different from other dogs you might've met before.

P.S. They are also very expensive. I have a set of grooming brushes for my chow, a grooming table, tons of sprays and other knick-knacks. On top of that, I have to bring her to the groomers at least every couple of months or she loses her chow puffiness.

[Rory's Dad]

Quite honestly i will say that the responses to this post are way off base and generally uniformed.

To respond to your initial question, the time frames mentioned are not a problem. I would recommend that you utilize crate training at first to be sure that your pupply learns where and when to go. As the pup matures you can expand the areas to rooms where a mistake wont be an issue.

I do agree that you should research the breed. Do not but a Chow because he is a cute pup. Do not buy a Chow if you do not have the time to properly train him, and that includes socialization.

That being said, if properly adapted to meet and greet, your chow should not be aggressive towards strangers petting him. A few basic pointers on etiquette are all that should be needed...approach from below his head level, not from way on high or from the sides, because they can be head shy and have limited peripheral vision... Announce yourself 1st so he isnt surprised...Let the dog make his own decision, he may not like EVERYONE, just like people. Offer him a hand to sniff and he can decide whether or not he wishes to interact. Indifference or lack of interest is not a bad thing.

Again, if properly socialized, a Chow is NOT a single person dog. Yes, there are many instances where a Chow has not taken to a change in family dynamic, but those are cases where the dog was not properly socialized or trained. 99% of the time those are cases where the owner has not established themselves over the dog. Well mannered Chows crave attention. They love to be included in social settings.

And while, you could spend a fortune on grooming tools, tables, and sprays. But if you are diligent, you could upkeep his fur with a rake brush and a pin brush. I show my dogs, so i have the full implement of grooming items, but a lot of it isnt needed particularly with a pup. You can add to the arsenal as needed, you dont need it all at day 1.

Finally, as for Chows being guard dogs, yes they are. They will alert you to any strange noises or events. But, they are NOT attack dogs. Chows generally will make a noise, bark, etc...but bite is definitely not their first instinct. If cornered, with no other option they will protect fiercely, but they will seek alternatives (no myth, they are extremely intelligent). I have had a Chow simply hold an intruder against a wall...never lunged or bit, just barked and held ground enough to keep an unwanted guest in a position.

[natalies]

Quite honestly i will say that the responses to this post are way off base and generally uniformed.

I feel like this comment is a bit of a low blow; basically implying that the posters above, and myself, are uneducated about our own breeds. Each chow is different. My chow has been trained to withstand heavy petting on the head from strangers of all ages and has actually learned to love everyone. He would make a terrible guard dog as he is friendly to everyone/thing, including my two indoor rabbits. This is what I aimed for when training him though as I wish for him to be a therapy dog when he is of age. He has never growled at a stranger and barks only if there is someone at the door he doesn't know. I know his wonderful temperament is due to a combination luck, breeding, good training, and personality.

The above posters have more reserved chows and are advising the original poster based on their personal experiences. This does not mean that they are uniformed, there will always be conflicting opinions on how a chow should behave and whatnot. But this doesn't mean each one is wrong, they are just different opinions!

And grooming tools are expensive, especially for a full time student living on their, which I based my response on. Each brush is roughly $20 for one of cheap-standard quality and mine has 4, not including the more expensive (and optional by useful for areas of shorter fur) furminator. This is not including all the cheaper brushes that have broken with use, or the ones that you experiment with and learn to dislike(like my retractable slicker. Really thought it was such a great idea but instead the pins get stuck with use. That's a different story though). On top of this, my boy goes into the creek everyday on our walks and likes to romp around in mud so if I don't bathe him regularly he starts to smell like a swamp. To make my life easier, I will be investing in a dryer for him soon, which costs $400 here for a base model.

My point is that when introducing any pet into the home, you have to make a well informed decision. This includes research and taking different experiences and perspectives in consideration as each animal is unique. Sometimes you get lucky and have the perfect pet who doesn't empty your wallet and is amazingly well behaved, but sometimes you get the one that needs special training and has health problems. Based on my research, it is likely that you will run into some unexpected bills or costs.

I apologise for this being a long and possibly 'uninformed' rant, but I don't like to be called stupid.

[yazzle]

Thank you all for your insights. I am actually well aware of chow's behaviors and needs, I've researched all about it and the reason for me wanting them isn't because of their adorable fluffiness but because I am fascinated by their historical roots. As for financially taking care of it, thankfully I am well off financially so that shouldn't be a problem, I was only concerned on me attending classes and leaving it at home.

[murpleberry]

I owned a chow for two months now and gotten him when he was only 8 weeks old. I am in a similar situation with you, but out of school and just working. Here are my thoughts on how the first month went and what to expect when leaving your Chow at home.

OHHHH the worry you get when you leave a new born baby at home knowing that you taken it from their pack. S/He is going to cry a lot. Cry as in BARKING. If you are able to deal with school and having to deal with barking at night for an entire week or two before they settle down is a huge key to success. Not only that, the next day I had work! I work pretty far and I left my pup at home in his crate for about 8-10 hours a day. I come home and take him out as soon as he stops barking. Never give attention to a barking dog. It is manageable, but you must realize if you work from 9-5. Know that you wont be home until 6. Leaving you with 6 hours left, if you go to bed at 12. That means during that time, you will be either showering, sleeping or doing an activity. Will your Chow be participating in these activities? If you do go to bed, that means your Chow goes to bed. Back into the cage for another 10 hours of sleep while you go back to work. Before you even sleep you have to feed your dog/walk it.

This is all possible, but very time consuming. It is worth it, if you are able to manage all of this. Also, a dog sleeps a lot. I wouldn't be surprise if they werent sleeping for hours at a time and dont even realize time passes by until you are home!

They live in the moment, so know that whatever you do. They will always be there for you! No matter how long you lock them up in a cage!

[Laura]

My 2 cents is that of course it is ok for you to get a Chow while in school. It is actually great that you will have so much time to work on potty training and socialization without working a FT job right now. I also wanted to add that IMO no cage is needed...ever. While mine were little and potty training I left them in my master bath when I wasn't home. They had plenty of space, toys, freedom but it is all tile so if there were accidents it would be ok. They never had an accident in there. Once they were fully potty trained they were given the run of a much larger portion of the house while I was away and eventually the whole house, and a doggie door/fenced in yard.

Murpleberry I just have to say that keeping that pup in a cage that many hours a day and for those lengths of time is just cruel. Please stop! You should have asked if it was ok to get a chow and then leave it in a cage 20 hours a day before you got that poor baby so we could have told you NO!

[Rory's Dad]

Natalies, i apologize. I over generalized, and in rereading the post yours does not fall into the un-informed category. I do still point out that not all those expenses need to come at the onset.

[Rory's Dad]

I don't think anyone said the dog would be crated for 20 hours per day. Not everyone agrees with the training method, but it is effective and their is absolutely no evidence to show any negative physical or pyschological effects. In fact, should a dog require any sort of overnight vet attention, like desexing, the dog would be lessed stressed as he is used to being crated.

[Laura]

I don't think anyone said the dog would be crated for 20 hours per day. Not everyone agrees with the training method, but it is effective and their is absolutely no evidence to show any negative physical or pyschological effects. In fact, should a dog require any sort of overnight vet attention, like desexing, the dog would be lessed stressed as he is used to being crated.

He said the puppy/dog is crated while he works 8-10 hours a day and the dog is again crated overnight for 10 hours while he sleeps so I stand by what I said, it is cruel. Period. If you think there are no negative effects or it isnt cruel to crate a puppy/dog for those extensive hours well that is your opinion but I couldn't disagree more. In fact I would call it abusive and that is the opinion I am entitled to.

[murpleberry]

He said the puppy/dog is crated while he works 8-10 hours a day and the dog is again crated overnight for 10 hours while he sleeps so I stand by what I said, it is cruel. Period. If you think there are no negative effects or it isnt cruel to crate a puppy/dog for those extensive hours well that is your opinion but I couldn't disagree more. In fact I would call it abusive and that is the opinion I am entitled to.

just because i said 8-10 doesnt mean i work 10 hours day. i actually work 8. you over exaggerated by 2 hours. Plus i believe it is okay to crate a baby puppy in my room at night. I don't want accident over the house. If he has to goes, he lets me know. Nothing wrong with that as a cage is a den for them. They sleep in it and even when im home, he stays in there when the door is open. I dont sleep until 1, but during that time. He is out. I also train him at 6 in the morning, with the feed and walk. You dont know my schedule and jump to conclusions.

As for him being in a crate at night, is not a problem if I am training him. I dont think leaving a puppy roaming around a house would be a smart idea at night if you already potty trained him in one area. It would hinder training. Since I work 8-4 and get back around 5:30. I believe 6-7 hours being outside is enough before hes crated again. Not only that, but if you include his morning walks, that leaves him for 2 hours being out before i go to work as well. You can only do so much living in the city by yourself.

[Laura]

Ok I'm sorry, it's 17/18 hours a day in a crate by your count with how many of those hours straight with no break during the day. You said you work 8-4 but dont get home until 5:30 so is that a 1.5 hour commute both ways totaling 11 hours straight in the crate? It is cruel and unhealthy for your pup. Hopefully at some point a change will be made for the pup. I will hope for that to happen sooner rather than later. And seriously I suggest you do some research. You will very quickly find how wrong you are that it is ok to crate for anything near the periods of time you are using. Please find another solution. Some suggestions I saw from a brief google search suggested using a bath or laundry room for confinement, or even a indoor exercise pen (gated circle for pets or children) that gives the puppy room to stretch and play and move while you are completing house breaking. A dog walker is another idea but pricey I know. Also does he go to the bathroom in the crate because it is entirely too long for him to "hold it" at his age. Please do some research. I am sorry if this is upsetting to you but I will always speak on behalf of animals who cannot speak for themselves.

[natalies]

I do still point out that not all those expenses need to come at the onset.

It's always better to be over prepared than under right?

Yazzle:
Those hours at uni are nothing to be concerned about, even office hours are fine. Just so long as you can juggle assessment tasks with dog ownership, and not do what I did. I ended up abandoning uni work for a month to play with my new puppy and rushed all my assignments!
I'd still pick playing with my pup over doing assignments any day though.

[ski]

Why does it need to be a puppy? What about an older rescue...that would not require as much time for training,etc. our Loki is pretty low maintenance. He needs very few bathroom breaks and seldom barks. Of course, in any event, you need to factor in medical expenses for any chow. So many needy chows that would be a great companion

[tabate45]

I never have had a problem with leaving them alone as long as you spend good quality time with them when you are there.