A LOT of questions from a prospective chow mom
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A LOT of questions from a prospective chow mom
Hello, fellow chow lovers! I am new here and do not yet have my chow, though I am in talks with a reputable breeder to procure one (excited!). Anyway, until the puppy is actually here, I actually had a few questions which I hope you can help me with. There is a lot, but I like to be prepared, so the puppy has the best of care.
1. How do you deal with socializing your chow pup during this time of COVID? I've read a few suggestions and looked into some options (will probably ask my neighbors with dogs and my friends or family to visit), but I was wondering if other parents of chow pups had a more efficient strategy.
2. Anyone here not have a car? Due to a medical condition, I'm unable to get a driver's license. If you have that experience, how have you dealt with it? I have currently looked into pet taxis and getting a stroller for my chow, but the closest vet is like 1.5 km (3 miles) away. Has anyone used a stroller with a chow and, if so, what's their experience? (Side note: we do have pet ambulances in my city so in case of an emergency, I would have someone to turn to. I'm talking more something I can use on a regular basis, for regular vet visits, park walks, subway etc.)
This is what I am considering: https://www.aosom.ro/item/pawhut-passeg ... 105RD.html
Thoughts? Comments?
3. Carpeting in chow homes. Considering how much fur these lovely fur babies leave behind, I debated the merits of removing my carpets altogether. Then, I did some reading and realized that could be detrimental for the puppy. I have hardwood flooring and tiles all over my house and they could slip. How have you dealt with the carpeting issue? Do you use a particular type of carpet? Should I just remove my larger carpets altogether and add some throw rugs? I have some shaggy ones that I think may be particularly problematic since they're hard to vacuum even on a regular basis.
4. Grooming. While I've read stuff on the kind of brushes these babies need and I have spoken with various people, I'm not English, so some recommended products are unavailable to me or difficult to acquire. I've selected a few possible brushes I think would be useful for my future chow. What do you think?
https://www.bamboogroom.com/collections ... steel-pins
https://www.bamboogroom.com/collections ... unded-pins
I have considered the Furminator, but I hear it's not actually good for Chow fur.
5. Has anyone use something like a play den as a home for a baby chow? I am looking at a larger version of this.
https://www.zooplus.com/shop/dogs/dog_h ... ens/325097 - 116 x 116 x 59,5 cm
Please note, this wouldn't be something I'd shut him in. Just his little home in my house, which could come in handy while he is a pup. Do you suppose this would be useful or should I go for a simple crate? (I do want to crate him.)
6. Has anyone used the Wolf of Wilderness brand of puppy food for their chow? I am debating the merits of trying it.
7. Wet food vs. dry food. What's your call? The last time I had a pet, it was a cat and we used to feed him a combination of wet and dry. Now, obviously, I know each animal is different and a chow isn't a cat, even if their temperament has been compared to that of a feline. I'm just debating the merits of doing something similar. Has anyone tried this? If so, how did you do it? Do you supplement dry food meals with anything else?
I think that's all for now. LOL, at this point, you're tired of me. Thank you everyone for any help you can provide.
1. How do you deal with socializing your chow pup during this time of COVID? I've read a few suggestions and looked into some options (will probably ask my neighbors with dogs and my friends or family to visit), but I was wondering if other parents of chow pups had a more efficient strategy.
2. Anyone here not have a car? Due to a medical condition, I'm unable to get a driver's license. If you have that experience, how have you dealt with it? I have currently looked into pet taxis and getting a stroller for my chow, but the closest vet is like 1.5 km (3 miles) away. Has anyone used a stroller with a chow and, if so, what's their experience? (Side note: we do have pet ambulances in my city so in case of an emergency, I would have someone to turn to. I'm talking more something I can use on a regular basis, for regular vet visits, park walks, subway etc.)
This is what I am considering: https://www.aosom.ro/item/pawhut-passeg ... 105RD.html
Thoughts? Comments?
3. Carpeting in chow homes. Considering how much fur these lovely fur babies leave behind, I debated the merits of removing my carpets altogether. Then, I did some reading and realized that could be detrimental for the puppy. I have hardwood flooring and tiles all over my house and they could slip. How have you dealt with the carpeting issue? Do you use a particular type of carpet? Should I just remove my larger carpets altogether and add some throw rugs? I have some shaggy ones that I think may be particularly problematic since they're hard to vacuum even on a regular basis.
4. Grooming. While I've read stuff on the kind of brushes these babies need and I have spoken with various people, I'm not English, so some recommended products are unavailable to me or difficult to acquire. I've selected a few possible brushes I think would be useful for my future chow. What do you think?
https://www.bamboogroom.com/collections ... steel-pins
https://www.bamboogroom.com/collections ... unded-pins
I have considered the Furminator, but I hear it's not actually good for Chow fur.
5. Has anyone use something like a play den as a home for a baby chow? I am looking at a larger version of this.
https://www.zooplus.com/shop/dogs/dog_h ... ens/325097 - 116 x 116 x 59,5 cm
Please note, this wouldn't be something I'd shut him in. Just his little home in my house, which could come in handy while he is a pup. Do you suppose this would be useful or should I go for a simple crate? (I do want to crate him.)
6. Has anyone used the Wolf of Wilderness brand of puppy food for their chow? I am debating the merits of trying it.
7. Wet food vs. dry food. What's your call? The last time I had a pet, it was a cat and we used to feed him a combination of wet and dry. Now, obviously, I know each animal is different and a chow isn't a cat, even if their temperament has been compared to that of a feline. I'm just debating the merits of doing something similar. Has anyone tried this? If so, how did you do it? Do you supplement dry food meals with anything else?
I think that's all for now. LOL, at this point, you're tired of me. Thank you everyone for any help you can provide.