My Dog Training Secrets 

Chow Chows are sturdy and square from a profile view, with large, wide skulls, small triangular ears, and padded tufts of skin above the eyes. They have round feet and large, fluffy tails which they carry on the back. They are on the large side of medium and stout. A Chow Chow’s forelegs should be straight, while its hind legs should be heavier and more muscular. This breed can be seventeen to twenty inches high and weigh around forty five to seventy pounds. It has a thick double coat which comes in different colors like blue, black, cream or cinnamon, though the red is most common.

Chow Chows are one of the oldest recorded breeds of dogs. These dogs are intelligent, independent minded and somewhat stubborn and bossy. They are unusual in having a blue-black tongue and very straight hind legs that result in a rather stilted gait. Chow Chows are alert, independent, and strong-willed. They are mostly friendly towards family, but have been known to be reserved even around loved ones. They are a breed with a real reputation for suddenly snapping and turning on even their owners.

Chow Chows are notoriously obstinate and it takes consistent, repetitive training to accomplish anything with these dogs. Owners have to take command in order to keep these dogs in line, but it training has to be tempered in order to be effective. They are usually very quiet as puppies. It seems there will be no misbehavior on their part when they are full-grown. They are typically clean dogs, most pups are house trained as early as 6 weeks. Reward the behavior you like.

Socialization is the ongoing process in which the Chow puppy is taught to accept new people, other dogs and environments outside his home with politeness and calm. Socialization should begin at birth with regular handling by the Chow's breeder. Continual training is necessary to ensure a well-trained dog. Socialization is a must! If this is not done you may end up with a rather dangerous dog.

Puppies may need several hours of grooming each week as their coats are very dense and easily tangled. As they make the transition to adult dogs, they will need brushing almost daily. Puppies are time consuming, demanding and require intensive work and training. Even then, there are no guarantees.

Dog aggression issues are often one of the first aspects of a dog's nature that you'll notice, whether it's a welcoming, content dog, or hostile and aggressive. The growling, snarling, biting and lunging are the main signs that you're dealing with an aggressive dog. Chows usually endeavor to please and respond extremely well to rewards and treats.

Chow Chow puppies will often appear very aloof and surly when a stranger enters the home. Appropriate training can make the animal friendly to other folks, but it won’t ever treat a stranger as it does its own family. Chows may be targeted for "banning" in certain areas, or refusal of homeowner insurance policies. Your friends and neighbors may be uncomfortable around this breed.

Since they are not "pack" dogs and can be dog-aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex even when spayed or neutered, they should not be kenneled in groups or with dogs of the same sex.

Chow Chows are also vulnerable to heat stroke, and should not be exercised during the heat of the day in summer. This breed is known for having patella problems, which leads to ACL problems. To have it happen to both sides is just bad luck. They are prone to hip dysplasia but a reputable breeder will have had x-rays and certification done on the hips of the parents of the litter. This condition can be very painful for a dog and can be corrected with surgery, but the procedure is agonizing for the dog and very expensive.

Dogs need not be bathed daily and this helps to protect the skin's characteristics like insulation feature. Normally they are bathed once a week. Chows housed in centrally heated houses will probably shed some constantly.

Undoubtedly Chow dogs are best maintained as indoor dogs in a home with a well-fenced back yard. However, they will still flourish as outdoor dogs as long as they are still part of the family unit.

Chows can be trusted around children, assuming that the parents supervise play activities. No large dog should be trusted with a child alone, until it is a certainty that the child will not abuse the dog and that the dog will not play too roughly and injure the child.

Chows have a lot of impressive characteristics and are very beautiful dogs, but they aren't made for everyone. An alert dog with an independent nature, the Chow Chow will allow the owner to live with him rather than the other way round. The last advice we can give you on this dog is to train early and train often. While taking your Chow to a local obedience school is great, you will also want your own home study dog obedience course for ongoing training. We recommend Sit, Stay and Fetch for this particular dog.