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Doesn't,t want brushed

Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 1:04 pm
by Thebug
Hi, I have an unusual situation. My daughter bought a puppy while living in Mongolia. This puppy was in with other fluffy pups I think Samoyed or something. Anyway she bought the pup saw it through the parvovirus virus and loved it . It also turned out to be a chow chow. It never would let her brush it even as a puppy . Of course she had no idea how to work with a chow. When she was relocated to a large city in China she was told by police no large dogs allowed in the city and now we have a chow. Also, except for brushing was a mellow dog but when boarded before shipping him here was abused (they put a rope around his neck that was gouged into his neck) . Anyway he has issues. Last summer we had to shave him because of surgery but now now surgery but I can feel matts under his massive amount of fur. So sorry this is so long but I don't know if I should shave or see if they can just clip out the matts. He will be sedated for the procedure. I can use any info you have abut this . Thank you he is extremely furry looks like a giant caterpillar when I walk him and it stops traffic. Had my daughter known it was a chow I'm sure she would not have got him as a chow is not for someone not familiar to it . She was told it was a different breed thank you again

Re: Doesn't,t want brushed

Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2015 5:31 am
by Pinoy51
Honestly I don't know where to start. Mainly because I feel bad for the poor Chow who ended up with people who wouldn't have got him, if they knew he was a Chow. What a bad luck.
Now sedating any dog to brush him is another crime, specially for Chows sedation is dangerous.
Never shave a Chow the furr is important for his health.
Anyway I hope the first of all you find someone who can take proper care of the poor guy.
Can't you see if an experienced Chow owner would like to adopt him.
Being with you and your family doesn't sound like a good idea, based on your post.

Re: Doesn't,t want brushed

Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2015 1:16 pm
by Thebug
Please don't get me wrong we love this dog and he is spoiled and well cared for . My daughter just would have not got a chow because she would have known he would get big and she should have read up on ways to handle a chow starting when he was a puppy. As for us we just would have not chose a chow because they can be aggressive to others that are not their owner. Now we have experienced this as teddy have tried to attack others . He is extremely protective of me. I think his aggressiveness has more to do with him being abused in the kennel not just because he is a chow. Anyway, just want to let you know that I've always loved chows just know they are a breed someone should study before getting one. Just wanted to clear that up so I can feel ok asking for help as I'm an unexperienced chow owner. Thanks again .

Re: Doesn't,t want brushed

Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2015 3:45 pm
by Pinoy51
I think I didn't got you wrong. You can't take care of a a Chow if you're not ready to accept the basics of this dog.
They're big and they're protective which can turn into agression if not proper socialized.
You need to address this first you need to accept the dog as it is and deal with him in a proper way.
Everything else is secondary and will fall in place if you deal with the basics. Brushing and removing matted furr is weekly routine for my Chows. No issue, Imagine I would have to sedate four dogs just to take care of their fur???
Please take this serious you won't get any peace of mind with your Chow if yo don't find a way to socialize, discipline him and and find mutual respect for each other.

Re: Doesn't,t want brushed

Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2015 5:18 pm
by Rory's Dad
Thank you for posting your inquiry Thebug. Sorry, I have been away from the forum for a bit, and didn't see it until just now.

I think your question shows that you are willing to learn about how to successfully raise a Chow. And in your situation that is the most important thing. Naturally the easy way would be to abandon the dog to a shelter where it has very little chance to survive.

1st off, the Chow needs to be socialized. This is important for any dog, but particularly one who has suffered negative experiences. You need to reinforce that people are not bad. You need to introduce him to all sorts of people to demonstrate that they are not a threat to you or to him. Chows are fantastically loyal and you will earn his trust by showing him the good in the world. Start slow, walk him around the neighborhood and let him meet people and other dogs. Kneel down to his level and tell him it's ok. Hold the collar to control his head at 1st so as to not allow any biting. Reward him for good behavior. When he sniffs or accepts a hand offered to him tell him (enthusiastically) how good he is. Have his new aquaintence offer him a small treat. Get him used to meeting new people and what is expected/tolerated. It's ok for him to bark at approaching strangers as long as he adjusts when you tell him it's safe.

Progress to more populated places. If you have a large pet store nearby, go there. Some chain stores (target, etc) also can be pretty pet friendly. Visit a dog show if possible, and get him used to being in crowded spots (both human and dog).

As for the brushing, I wouldn't push that issue yet. Some knots are not going to seriously impact the dog other than how he looks. He may start to chew at them, but other than that, I would put that on the back burner for now. Work on getting him more used to being handled, touched, etc. He could have an association with the grooming tools that is causing this (my 7 month old thinks all brushes/combs are toys. He will actually get them out of the grooming bag himself to chew on. Once he is used to being approached and touched (watch for headshy behavior where he pulls back...and tell new friends of the dog to approach from underneath, not the top or sides) continue with the reward system. In grooming, its actually a distraction. Begin with an assistant. Find a food motivator (I use pea sized training treats or a bit of string cheese. Hold the treat straight ahead of his muzzle and keep it in your hand. Allow him to nibble on it while you brush. Begin with short session and work the areas that are not tangled. He will learn that its a pleasant experience...he's getting food rewards and the brushes feel good on his skin.

Keep asking questions as needed. You shouldn't give up on the dog because he was misrepresented by a breeder or had a bad kennel experience. Feel free to email me if you want.

Re: Doesn't,t want brushed

Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 3:43 pm
by Thebug
Thank both of you for help I have grooming set up and told them I don't want him completely shaved like last time. Another sad thing they did in China and this was before my daughter got him was they docked his tail for no reason except for putting him in with other dogs with like tails to sell. This could be another reason for him disliking brushing. They most likely used no anesthesia on him either. These dogs are breed and if not sold my daughter found out are sold to the very nearby meat markets. I would like to send you a picture of him as you know I know nothing of chow chows but have people stop me and say he is amazing sooooooooooooo fury. Thanks again for not judging me I am a dog lover and just lost my puggy .

Re: Doesn't,t want brushed

Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 6:03 am
by Pinoy51
Hi there,
now i'm also convinced you want what's right for your Chow. Can't believe what the poor guy had to go through.
Chows are one of the most intelligent breeds in the dog world. They're capable of making their own judgement of situations, people and other animals. This is often mistaken for dis-obedience. In order to own the respect of your Chow you need to be predictable, calm and assertive. Practise NILF (Nothing in life is free). Make him sit for his food, let him give high five for a treat, set rules and keep them (not allowed in the bed room, don't jump up etc.) award and praise correct behavior. All that will earn you the trust of your Chow. Once you got that, you canmbrush him, have stress free walks on a leash. He won't bite other dogs as he looks up to you and follows your leadership.
For the grooming, start every day just a bit, don't force it. Reward anything he does right. do it again the next day,
introduce the tools, brush comb sissor and use them a bit, reward again. It will take a few weeks before you can do a real grooming session. If possible give a bath/shower once a week as well. Dry with towel and if grooming is mastered start to intorduce a hair dryer in the same way as the other tools.
It is going to be a lot of work, it will take you a lot of patience and trial and error, but in the end you will have the most loyal and wonderful companion the dog world has to offer.
Don't hesitate to ask more questions.