The Best Ways to Raise a Chow

Raising dogs is a rewarding and enjoyable experience for many people. A popular breed of dog is the chow, sometimes referred to as a chow chow. These dogs are characterized by mid-length fluffy fur, short snouts, small ears, stocky bodies and purplish or black tongues. To properly train your chow puppy to be an intelligent, gentle, loving, clean adult, you must implement several training methods.

  1. A Chow's Temperament

    • A chow is basically protective of his owners. He may demonstrate this with aggressive behavior toward strangers and new animals. Although many chows show aggressive behavior to others, this is not the case for all chows or chow mixes. Many chows are born with a gentle, easy temperament, but be sure to educate yourself on the possible behaviors shown in chows to prepare for properly raising and training your chow puppy.

    Potty Training

    • Chows are a naturally clean breed and are generally well-behaved indoors. However, you must still take the time to properly potty-train your chow puppy. Try to refrain from using pee-pee pads or other indoor dog potty equipment. As soon as you get your puppy, immediately begin taking him outdoors every hour to give your puppy the opportunity to use the bathroom outdoors. When your puppy uses the bathroom, reward him with praise and hugs. A chow puppy should generally be taken outside to use the bathroom as soon as he wakes from a nap or within several minutes after drinking water or eating food. Consistently offering your puppy the outdoors for using the bathroom will help him understand that he should not use the bathroom in your house.

    Barking

    • The chow's protective nature will be evident from the dog's barking at strange noises, smells and sights. It might be tempting to yell at your dog for barking, especially at inconvenient times such as when you are trying to sleep and when you are on the phone. However, try to resist this temptation. Instead, check out the situation and see why your dog is barking. Your chow may be trying to warn you of possible lurking danger, such as a person hanging around your property. His barking may keep an unwanted person away. Or it may be something as simple as him trying to alert you that he needs to go outside to use the bathroom.

    Integrating Socially

    • To help avoid aggressive behavior and poor social behavior in your adult chow, show your puppy love and affection. Showing your dog proper attention as early as possible will help him to be more easily socially integrated. Bring your chow puppy around family and friends at an early age to get him used to other people. Carefully introduce him to family pets to reduce the possibility of aggressive behavior as he grows into adulthood.