Chow Chow Attack

[becca_4321]

I've been waiting to hear back from a man I know who also works with Chows. I just dont think enough information has been given. Did the dog actually attack, or was exaggeration and the dog growled? I just think more information needed to heard. That's just my opinion.

This got way to heated and several of us said mean things. For being adults we sure can act like children! I kind of take it all more personal because I do have the full blooded Chow that the breed gets talked about like it's a monster, at least that is how I take it. I see such love in my monster. Now I worry because my grandbabies leave in the morning and I was sure counting on them to grow up around my dogs so they'd know how to act around little kids. Now I worry what happens if a year goes by before Gracie plays with a little one again. Will she have lost that patience? Makes me sad.

Manchester, will you ask Sarah for me what her opinion is of getting Gracie fixed before she goes into heat. I am asking because I read doing it before isnt a good for them. Plus, Gracie is doing so good that I found myself thinking what if she gets scared there, and causes a set back in all I've done with her so far. Stupid, I know, but cant help it. I just want her to have it together by the time she reaches 1 and 2. I never wanted my kids to grow up to be the kids everyone hates to see coming, and I dont want my dogs to grow up to be dogs everyone hates to see or fears.

 

[Manchesters]

Female Chows

I've been waiting to hear back from a man I know who also works with Chows. I just dont think enough information has been given. Did the dog actually attack, or was exaggeration and the dog growled? I just think more information needed to heard. That's just my opinion.

This got way to heated and several of us said mean things. For being adults we sure can act like children! I kind of take it all more personal because I do have the full blooded Chow that the breed gets talked about like it's a monster, at least that is how I take it. I see such love in my monster. Now I worry because my grandbabies leave in the morning and I was sure counting on them to grow up around my dogs so they'd know how to act around little kids. Now I worry what happens if a year goes by before Gracie plays with a little one again. Will she have lost that patience? Makes me sad.

Manchester, will you ask Sarah for me what her opinion is of getting Gracie fixed before she goes into heat. I am asking because I read doing it before isnt a good for them. Plus, Gracie is doing so good that I found myself thinking what if she gets scared there, and causes a set back in all I've done with her so far. Stupid, I know, but cant help it. I just want her to have it together by the time she reaches 1 and 2. I never wanted my kids to grow up to be the kids everyone hates to see coming, and I dont want my dogs to grow up to be dogs everyone hates to see or fears.

The females are totally different from males---no testosterone.

Do you have a pedigree on your dog? You should have been given a 5 generation pedigree. That way Sarah could give you and idea of what to expect physically and mentally.

 

[becca_4321]

I do but not handy. We boxed stuff up making room to bring our office home. My 2 spare bedrooms are now a office and one is storage. Gracie is doing great. I feel better about going ahead and getting her fixed now since my sister's daughter works with our vet now. I considered waiting until she was a year old, thinking maybe then I wouldnt have any set backs with her. Maybe I wont anyway, I just want to do things right with her.
Princess was fixed before she went into heat. She is so scared of going to the vets now. She still loves the vet, licks her, but it's a real chore to get her in the building and even harder to get her into the room! Maybe that's why I worry so much about it scaring Gracie because I seen the effects it had on Princess who loves the world. I dont want any set backs with her. She's my baby.

 

[Manchesters]

Just About All Dogs

I do but not handy. We boxed stuff up making room to bring our office home. My 2 spare bedrooms are now a office and one is storage. Gracie is doing great. I feel better about going ahead and getting her fixed now since my sister's daughter works with our vet now. I considered waiting until she was a year old, thinking maybe then I wouldnt have any set backs with her. Maybe I wont anyway, I just want to do things right with her.
Princess was fixed before she went into heat. She is so scared of going to the vets now. She still loves the vet, licks her, but it's a real chore to get her in the building and even harder to get her into the room! Maybe that's why I worry so much about it scaring Gracie because I seen the effects it had on Princess who loves the world. I dont want any set backs with her. She's my baby.

Go into rigor mortis when they realize they are at the vet's. It has no long term effect.....as soon as they are walking OUT the door, they are already on the road to recovery. Sarah said I could give you her email addy if you want. As she was saying she is about one of the oldest breeders left in the country (meaning amount of years involved in the breed). And she KNOWS the weird things to be on the lookout for with Chows. Just quirks that can pop up in everyday living. May just happen once, but might leave you wondering WHY it happened.

If ya want let me know, and I will PM it to you. And as I said, you would really enjoy Anna K. Nicholas Chow Chow book. Tons of beautiful pictures....including several of Sarah's dogs. Good tool for looking up what the dogs behind your dogs looked like, etc. I didn't like Joan Brearly's book. I think I still have my copy around here somewhere, come to think of it.

So, let me know if ya want her addy.

And you have my sympathy on the rooms loaded with "stuff". That can be a real nightmare!!!! Not to mention pain in the butt!

 

[becca_4321]

I would like to have her email address. Always nice to know if Gracie was to do something odd I didnt understand why, that I have people who have raised Chows many years and understand the breed to turn to. I might even just double check with her from time to time just to reassure myself I've handled something right.

Graice is doing great but I see that next stage setting in which is were I think I have to stay on my toes with her to make sure during this time she doesnt think she has just became the alpha. I love this personality. It's unlike any I have ever seen. I will look for that book. As I said when I first started coming to this board, I had never had a chow before. My husband had the chows. He told me I needed to sit down and do research on the breed because a Chow is like no other, so I did. Reading up more on the breed with never hurt a thing. I have lots of room for learning.

Princess was said to be a short haired chow. As a puppy she did look it except the ears. As she grew we became 100% sure she has lab in her. Gracie is the full deal. I've been taking pictures today since this is my last day with Ashlyn. I'll post some this weekend. Right now it's impossible to get nice pictures of her because the 1st thing she does after going potty is go hop in the pool, then jumps out and plays. By the time she starts to dry off she's outside back in the pool again.
Thank you so much Manchesters.

 

[Manchesters]

Spaying

I would like to have her email address. Always nice to know if Gracie was to do something odd I didnt understand why, that I have people who have raised Chows many years and understand the breed to turn to. I might even just double check with her from time to time just to reassure myself I've handled something right.

Graice is doing great but I see that next stage setting in which is were I think I have to stay on my toes with her to make sure during this time she doesnt think she has just became the alpha. I love this personality. It's unlike any I have ever seen. I will look for that book. As I said when I first started coming to this board, I had never had a chow before. My husband had the chows. He told me I needed to sit down and do research on the breed because a Chow is like no other, so I did. Reading up more on the breed with never hurt a thing. I have lots of room for learning.

Princess was said to be a short haired chow. As a puppy she did look it except the ears. As she grew we became 100% sure she has lab in her. Gracie is the full deal. I've been taking pictures today since this is my last day with Ashlyn. I'll post some this weekend. Right now it's impossible to get nice pictures of her because the 1st thing she does after going potty is go hop in the pool, then jumps out and plays. By the time she starts to dry off she's outside back in the pool again.
Thank you so much Manchesters.

Sarah said there would be no problem with spaying Gracie at 6 months of age.

 

[becca_4321]

Thanks for asking.
Oh I talked to the man I know who is also great with Chows. He takes in Rescue chows. I sent him a copy of the orginal question. Here's his answer:

Someone once said "The only thing wrong with Chows is people" and it is very true. A lot of owners don't truly understand the chow personality and how their mind works. A chow needs disipline from the time they are puppies until the day they die. People figure when their chow hits a certain age the socialization is done with. Not true. That is a lifelong thing with them. Chows are not impressed by people the way most breeds are. They love their family and will do anything for them, but the rest of the world can go to hell as far as they are concerned. This lady, like a lot of others, has lost control of her chow, and the dog no longer knows its place . This is not the dogs fault, but the owners. She has let the dog step up too high on the ladder of life and now the dogs thinks he is in control and ranks above other people in the pack. The first thing I would recommend to this lady is a professional trainer.

He says more but it's very long. I'm not posting this to get this going again. I'm debating if I should even post it. He believes the dog hasnt reached the point of unhelpable.

Manchesters, thank you for Sarah's email address.

 

[Old Dog]

Well having had a chow out of the two worst tempered chows in the world good breeding just not good tempers.......mine was raised just as the man in becca's post stated and he was a lovely dog.......aloof but he tolerated and even liked meeting people so they are workable if you understand them and are willing to put the time in with them.........and Manchesterz is right the females are totally differant natured than the bullheaded males. After reading that gentlemens original post, I wonder along with probably not having disciplineand being a whole male in his prime. I am wondering if the dog is seeing good........this is a big part of many chows problems is their poor sight and that can lead to shyness and spookiness over and beyond how they can normally react....causing agressiveness when people approach or not being able to clearly tell what is approaching. All wrinkled face chows or chows with the smaller eye should be checked for entropion which is a common problem in chows and sharpei's.
Gracie is about the color my male was. Such a pretty color. And by the way Sarah is a renowned chow breeder......she knows chows, nice lady.

 

[Old Dog]

Those of us who have ate,slept and worked with dogs most of our adult lives surely have a grasp on dog behavior. I have bred,showed,professionally groomed(all breeds)trained and held training classes both confirmation and obedience for our local clubs which I was on the foundation of our obedience club board, counciled many an owner with dog behavioral problems be it house breaking, tempermentor obedience whether they were pubred or all american for over 40 years..or forgot vet tech for 12years.......I have no certificate stating I know dog behavior most of the so called dog behavior-ist I have come in contact with apply book knowledge and most don't have extensive background with dogs .......I wouldn't take my dog to one or recommend gong to one unless I knew that they had more than book knowledge.........nothing like years of on hand experience. Not to say that animal behaviorist can all be lumped together but one would have to show me more than a plaque on his or her door.

I am certainly glad to see everyone calmed down. When you have years of experience you are rarely going to post eroneous info. If I don't know the answer I have a wealth of knowlegdable people available that do.........we are here to help and educate those that don't know........and hopefully are opened minded enough to hear all differant sides to a question. anyone cares to you can read my post under breeds: chow chow.

 

[yuckaduck]

Those of us who have ate,slept and worked with dogs most of our adult lives surely have a grasp on dog behavior. I have bred,showed,professionally groomed(all breeds)trained and held training classes both confirmation and obedience for our local clubs which I was on the foundation of our obedience club board, counciled many an owner with dog behavioral problems be it house breaking, tempermentor obedience whether they were pubred or all american for over 40 years..or forgot vet tech for 12years.......I have no certificate stating I know dog behavior most of the so called dog behavior-ist I have come in contact with apply book knowledge and most don't have extensive background with dogs .......I wouldn't take my dog to one or recommend gong to one unless I knew that they had more than book knowledge.........nothing like years of on hand experience. Not to say that animal behaviorist can all be lumped together but one would have to show me more than a plaque on his or her door.

I am certainly glad to see everyone calmed down. When you have years of experience you are rarely going to post eroneous info. If I don't know the answer I have a wealth of knowlegdable people available that do.........we are here to help and educate those that don't know........and hopefully are opened minded enough to hear all differant sides to a question. anyone cares to you can read my post under breeds: chow chow.

I know nothing about chows but I would sure trust what Old Dog and Manchesters say as they have proven their knowledge countless times to me.

 

[EliNHunter]

Hi, Old Dog... you are a breath of fresh air. You are able to put across your knowledge in a non-condescending way. It's amazing how others will listen more to posts such as yours. I hope "others" will learn your ways...

 

[Zoom]

Just because: There are three chows at work right now and all three of them seem to be very nice and pretty stable. Granted, all three of them are spayed females.

 

[EliNHunter]

I've known some very nice chows... and I've also known some very unstable ones. I've also known some very unstable labs. Get where I'm coming from?

 

[Zoom]

Oh, very much so. There's about a 60/40 ratio of 'good' labs to 'shifty' labs that come in; the temperment differences are amazing, not to mention the fact that I checked in to two labs in a row that are very sweet, but each weigh over a 100 pounds.

I'm also starting to see the general decline in the Goldens. There's a couple that come in that have to be handled with an extra measure of caution, otherwise someone is goign to get bit. These dogs also can't be put out with the other dogs. That's sad.

 

[EliNHunter]

It's a sad day when we see an aggressive golden. It just makes me sick...

 

[Manchesters]

Thanks for asking.
Oh I talked to the man I know who is also great with Chows. He takes in Rescue chows. I sent him a copy of the orginal question. Here's his answer:

Someone once said "The only thing wrong with Chows is people" and it is very true. A lot of owners don't truly understand the chow personality and how their mind works. A chow needs disipline from the time they are puppies until the day they die. People figure when their chow hits a certain age the socialization is done with. Not true. That is a lifelong thing with them. Chows are not impressed by people the way most breeds are. They love their family and will do anything for them, but the rest of the world can go to hell as far as they are concerned. This lady, like a lot of others, has lost control of her chow, and the dog no longer knows its place . This is not the dogs fault, but the owners. She has let the dog step up too high on the ladder of life and now the dogs thinks he is in control and ranks above other people in the pack. The first thing I would recommend to this lady is a professional trainer.

He says more but it's very long. I'm not posting this to get this going again. I'm debating if I should even post it. He believes the dog hasnt reached the point of unhelpable.

Manchesters, thank you for Sarah's email address.

I agree with everything the gentleman says. I stated several times that I was typing what Sarah was telling me as far as putting the dog down. I agreed with her under the circumstances of a purely pet person trying to deal with an agressive Chow.

You may remember my post where I said NEUTER, NEUTER, NEUTER. Then try the trainer!!!

It is just that generally the prognosis is not good in a case like this.

Hope Sarah can help mentor you! She has helped me with many things over the years.

 

[Manchesters]

Hi, Old Dog... you are a breath of fresh air. You are able to put across your knowledge in a non-condescending way. It's amazing how others will listen more to posts such as yours. I hope "others" will learn your ways...

most of the so called dog behavior-ist I have come in contact with apply book knowledge and most don't have extensive background with dogs .......I wouldn't take my dog to one or recommend gong to one unless I knew that they had more than book knowledge.........nothing like years of on hand experience. Not to say that animal behaviorist can all be lumped together but one would have to show me more than a plaque on his or her door.

Sounds like exactly the same thing I said.....the whole post, in fact.

And if you stay as nice, open minded, and sweet as you are, someday I will tell you a secret!!!

 

[EliNHunter]

Sounds like exactly the same thing I said.....the whole post, in fact.

And if you stay as nice, open minded, and sweet as you are, someday I will tell you a secret!!!

Uh... let me guess. You and Old Dog are one and the same... am I right??

 

[Manchesters]

Nope

Uh... let me guess. You and Old Dog are one and the same... am I right??

Nope we are not the same person. No way, no how! I give ya my word on that.

My DSL is acting up horribly, so if I ain't around too much for a while, don't everybody get too happy, rofl.

 

[Renee750il]

She is so scared of going to the vets now. She still loves the vet, licks her, but it's a real chore to get her in the building and even harder to get her into the room! Maybe that's why I worry so much about it scaring Gracie because I seen the effects it had on Princess who loves the world. I dont want any set backs with her. She's my baby.

Becca, your vet should be more than happy for you to bring your Gracie and Princess by for some unstressful FREE social calls, just to walk in, get petted, maybe weighed, fed a few treats and be spoiled briefly so they get the idea that the vet's office is a GOOD place. Mine was thrilled when I suggested that with my grrrrls as he's dealt with Filas before - not necessarily in the hands of people who have a clue - and his colorful description of them is "alligators with fur." But he absolutely loves Shiva and Kharma and has no problems with either one of them.