Chows are unique among dogs long time Chow owners do not even call
them "dogs", they behave unlike any other you have ever had in your
home. You will soon see your new companion is aloof and may even be
cat like. Chows will many times pick one member of the family to be
their persons and will have a strong bond with them. Chows are
very old first breed seen in China over two thousand years ago. They
have been breed for many tasks over the years one of which was guard
dog. This may make them suspicious of strangers. Please take this in
to consideration with training your Pure Breed Chow Chow. Mixes on
the other hand may or may not have any of these traits or they may
have the best of both breeds. When you meet your rescue we will tell
you all we know about them. We will help you decide if this rescue
is for your family.
Your new Chow will very likely be depressed for up to a month.
Please allow them some time to adjust to their new home and people.
When they are sleeping try not to startle them but wake them by call
their name. Please allow them some space while eating. None of our
dogs are aggressive at all but lets not but them in a position to
fail.
Potty Training - It
will take sometime for you to learn their signal for going potty and
it will take sometime for them to learn where to go.
Tell them “Go potty” and take them to the door.
Tell them “No door” as you open the door. They must stay at
the door and not try to go out without permission. Work on getting
them to sit at open doors to the outside. Then tell them “OK go
potty” when it is ok for them to go out. Always put them outside
about 15 minutes after they eat, before you go to bed for the night
and when you get up in the morning.
Grooming – It is important to
brush your Chow with a rough (long) coat a couple of times a week.
With the smooth (short) coat once a week should be fine. Every 1 – 2
weeks be sure to get their nails clipped.
Vet visits - Please take your new Chow to your vet for a
checkup and to meet them soon after getting them used to your
family. Please keep them up to date on shots and Heart Worm
treatment. If your vet is not familiar with Chows please let us know
and we will try and help you find one who is.
Meals - They eat two times a day, once first thing in the
morning and then around 6 pm. They will eat anywhere from 1 ½ to 3
cups of kibble with some canned mixed in. If they will not eat try
adding some shredded cheese to their food. We feed Nutro kibble and
Wellness canned. We have given you some of both.
Exercise - You want a happy Chow? Please give them lots of
play and exercise. Some will play for hours, some not. All will love
walks; the more you walk them the better they will be.
Socialize – It is important you
introduce your Chow to new things and new people. Take your time and
do not force them. Wait until your Chow is comfortable with your
family. They look to you for protection.
Food - It is imperative you feed your Chow and Chow mix a
high quality food. Many medical and skin problems will be avoided if
you follow our direction on this. Stay with the top brand holistic
foods. We recommend Nutro, Wellness, and Solid Gold. Please do not
use Iams, Eukanuba, or cheap store brands. We are not saying
that all dogs should not eat these but Chows will not do well on
them
What they know,
hopefully
“Leave it” – If they are playing with something they should
not be.
“Go to bed” – The signal to go to their crate. You may have
to reinforce this command
by standing next to the crate door and point in to the crate.
“Wait” - Tell them to wait when you open their crate door to
come out. Do not let them just run out. Tell them “OK” when you are
ready for them to come out, this can also be added to “No Door”
“No Door” - They must stay at the door that leads outside and
not try to go out without permission. Work on getting them to sit at
open doors to the outside. Then tell them “OK” when it is ok for
them to go out.
“Dinner” – Work with them to get out of the kitchen when
making their food.
We feed Nutro Natural it is important for their skin and coats.
Please if you decide to change food use a very high quality food.
Watch out for grains as Chows can be allergic. We feed twice a day,
once in the morning then at night. This helps them to stay regular
and lets you know when they have to go potty. ALWAYS put them
outside about 15 minutes after they eat.
“Treat” – Practice “NILIF” Nothing in life is free, make them
do something for a treat or for something special like getting on
your bed or couch. Work on their sit, lay down or other things you
want them to learn.
“Toys” - Please do not let hem have pigs ears, raw hide or
hoofs to chew on. Your Chow if they play with toys at all will like
stuffed toys to chew and shake. They will like tennis balls and
nylon bones. We have given you a few of their favorites to help them
in their new home. If you have children please make sure they
know Chows can not tell the difference between their toys and the
kids toys.
"Quiet" - If they start barking they are trying to tell you
there is some thing there or to get you attention. Find out what
they want then tell them quiet. Oh and if you are yelling at them to
be quiet then they will think you are barking and get even louder.
"House" Command we use to get them back inside after playing
out in the fenced yard. Can be used anytime you want them back in
the house. If they are playing hard to get try "Treat, House"
works 90% of the times.
Obedience Training can be a lot of fun for the family and
your new Chow please consider entering a class. Petsmart, Petco and
your vet will know where classes can be found. Bless you for saving
a dog in need.
Punishment - I left this for last it is the hardest part to
understand and follow yet it is the most important to you and your
Chow or Chow Mix. NEVER NEVER hit your Chow all you will do is make
matters worse. It may lead to a Chow that is afraid and you will
lose their trust. Screaming yelling and hitting will not accomplish
anything, treat them as your children. Positive reinforcement is the
best correction tool and the means to a well behaved companion.
If you ever have any questions please feel free to call or email. We
have provided a card with our information for your use or to share
with your friends looking for a rescue Chow.
