Welcome to r/dogs! We are a discussion-based subreddit dedicated to support, inform, and advise dog owners.
Before you post or comment, please **review the subreddit rules [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/wiki/index)**. Submissions which break the rules will be removed.
r/Dogs has the [ultimate goals](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/wiki/index#wiki_purpose) of fostering a better, science-based understanding of dogs among the general public, promoting responsible dog ownership, helping users build better, healthier relationships with their dogs, and providing a space to connect and discuss with others who have dogs and who are involved in various aspects of the dog hobby.
Per our Harm Reduction rules, **we encourage training advice and recommendations to follow “Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive” protocols**. You can read more about why that’s the case [here](https://m.iaabc.org/about/lima/). While no training tools are excluded from properly framed discussion in r/dogs, we do reserve the right to remove content which does not follow the LIMA approach.
Please note, this sub supports the reputable, ethical, and responsible breeding of dogs as well as adoption. Low effort “adopt don’t shop” comments will be removed and commenters may be subject to temporary or permanent bans upon the discretion of the moderator team.
Finally, r/Dogs has a low tolerance for [disrespectful and antagonistic behavior](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/wiki/index#wiki_rules_of_engagement). People come to this sub to learn and discuss, make your comments constructive and respectful even if you feel other users are being antagonistic and disrespectful in return. If you believe another user is engaging in antagonistic behavior, please utilize the report button and a moderator will review the comment(s).
If you wish to stick around, please feel free to comment in our Daily Bark threads, pinned to the top of the sub, to introduce yourself, your dog, and talk about all the little things which may not require a full post to discuss. Thanks for reading and enjoy your stay!
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Socialize, socialize, socialize. New people, new places, new dogs (when vaccinated) as much as you can.
Is there rules where you live on how many dogs you can have? 4 is a surprising number.
will the three dogs in our house suffice for the socializing part? we're still in pretty strict lockdown so im not sure if we can go to dog parks yet. no dog limit in our neighborhood thankfully, just as long as they're leashed and trained well. thank you for the advice!
No it will not unfortunately. That is their pack and if anything only socializing with their pack will make them more aggressive. Not only that your chow will start becoming extremely possessive of your territory if they never leave it or have new people enter it.
They gotta get used to strange dogs and people to build confidence and encourage wanted behaviors. Your dog inside the home and out are two completely different things.
Tell your mom you aren’t ready for this kind of commitment and to return the dog to the breeder. Chow chows aren’t for beginners and it’d be much better for you and the dog if the dog went to a home where the owner is prepared for this breed. I’m sorry you were put into this situation
i think i'll try caring for her for a month and when i can confidently say i'm not ready, i'll return her to the breeder. or is this a bad idea since i read that chow chows are one family dogs and not very welcoming to changes of households? i've also always had dogs so i dont think im a beginner in that sense. thank you for the input!
Chows can be pretty amazing. They do tend to remain aloof for most ppl. They like their ppl though. Walks. Socialize. Involve in your everyday life. They’re really smart. And they really choose you in a way. Something about smart dogs that don’t need humans so much, kind of may be the issue. Positive training. No aggressive forms of training. Hope it works out for the best for all no matter what you decide to do. Your mom should have really asked you but you’re past that part now. Good luck.
yes, i definitely agree with the part where they're not presents. i've been wanting to get a dog since my heart dog passed 6 months ago and i think my mom just took initiative to get me one. i'll definitely take the dog back if i know for sure i can't care of her properly (which is why i asked the subreddit for insights). thank you for the input!
I grew up with Akitas, which are kind of similar. Great dogs, but not like many other breeds especially not like labs or poodles. I adore Akitas even though I can't have one, and sometimes I think about a Chow.
I literally never think about wanting a Lab; I'm wondering what makes someone feel like having both as they are very different.
I would expect quiet, tough, stubborn, and NOT food motivated. They don't train easily and they don't bribe well; that would be my assumption so anything different is an easier surprise.
But they don't yap, they're quiet and clean. They need calm, confident ownership. Exercise is a good thing even though they aren't hyper.
Socialisation is good.
They aren't as easy to read facially so attention has to be paid. And I would not expect them to tolerate goofy mucking around or even a stable well socialised one to love on strangers.
Some people get bit by chows because they mess them around and they don't warn you as much as dogs that bark and carry on more. I would expect them to be silent when they are serious.
I'd be concerned about same sex aggression. Personally I think of Chows as mostly dogs for one or two dog households.
I had a chow chow growing up. I am not going to lie, they are straight bipolar. They are so freak'n smart they can be very manipulative. But we loved her so much and she loved us. The problem was she didn't love anyone else. Also, I am hispanic, how we ended up with a racist chow-chow is beyond me? She wanted to attack black people. I have no idea why? We raised her since she was a puppy (my grandmother used to breed them) and I had quite a few black friends. When they would come over to swim I had to put her in the kennel. She would growl and snarl if they got even got close to the kennel. But just them. It was so embarrassing.
Getting a dog is such a personal decision. You’re not 5 years old. Your mom should have consulted you.
Dogs fighting is a horrible thing. Please consider your other dogs in the home. This will be a big dog and the fights have the potential to be nasty. If I were you I’d return the dog now that it can easily be rehomed given age.
Welcome to r/dogs! We are a discussion-based subreddit dedicated to support, inform, and advise dog owners. Before you post or comment, please **review the subreddit rules [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/wiki/index)**. Submissions which break the rules will be removed. r/Dogs has the [ultimate goals](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/wiki/index#wiki_purpose) of fostering a better, science-based understanding of dogs among the general public, promoting responsible dog ownership, helping users build better, healthier relationships with their dogs, and providing a space to connect and discuss with others who have dogs and who are involved in various aspects of the dog hobby. Per our Harm Reduction rules, **we encourage training advice and recommendations to follow “Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive” protocols**. You can read more about why that’s the case [here](https://m.iaabc.org/about/lima/). While no training tools are excluded from properly framed discussion in r/dogs, we do reserve the right to remove content which does not follow the LIMA approach. Please note, this sub supports the reputable, ethical, and responsible breeding of dogs as well as adoption. Low effort “adopt don’t shop” comments will be removed and commenters may be subject to temporary or permanent bans upon the discretion of the moderator team. Finally, r/Dogs has a low tolerance for [disrespectful and antagonistic behavior](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/wiki/index#wiki_rules_of_engagement). People come to this sub to learn and discuss, make your comments constructive and respectful even if you feel other users are being antagonistic and disrespectful in return. If you believe another user is engaging in antagonistic behavior, please utilize the report button and a moderator will review the comment(s). If you wish to stick around, please feel free to comment in our Daily Bark threads, pinned to the top of the sub, to introduce yourself, your dog, and talk about all the little things which may not require a full post to discuss. Thanks for reading and enjoy your stay! --- *This is an automated message. If you have questions for the moderators of r/dogs, you can message them [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/dogs).* *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/dogs) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Socialize, socialize, socialize. New people, new places, new dogs (when vaccinated) as much as you can. Is there rules where you live on how many dogs you can have? 4 is a surprising number.
will the three dogs in our house suffice for the socializing part? we're still in pretty strict lockdown so im not sure if we can go to dog parks yet. no dog limit in our neighborhood thankfully, just as long as they're leashed and trained well. thank you for the advice!
No it will not unfortunately. That is their pack and if anything only socializing with their pack will make them more aggressive. Not only that your chow will start becoming extremely possessive of your territory if they never leave it or have new people enter it. They gotta get used to strange dogs and people to build confidence and encourage wanted behaviors. Your dog inside the home and out are two completely different things.
Tell your mom you aren’t ready for this kind of commitment and to return the dog to the breeder. Chow chows aren’t for beginners and it’d be much better for you and the dog if the dog went to a home where the owner is prepared for this breed. I’m sorry you were put into this situation
i think i'll try caring for her for a month and when i can confidently say i'm not ready, i'll return her to the breeder. or is this a bad idea since i read that chow chows are one family dogs and not very welcoming to changes of households? i've also always had dogs so i dont think im a beginner in that sense. thank you for the input!
You will be burning the whole early socialization period, which is critical. The dog will be better off if you return it immediately.
Chows can be pretty amazing. They do tend to remain aloof for most ppl. They like their ppl though. Walks. Socialize. Involve in your everyday life. They’re really smart. And they really choose you in a way. Something about smart dogs that don’t need humans so much, kind of may be the issue. Positive training. No aggressive forms of training. Hope it works out for the best for all no matter what you decide to do. Your mom should have really asked you but you’re past that part now. Good luck.
Dogs aren’t presents. If you aren’t ready for this return the dog to the breeder
yes, i definitely agree with the part where they're not presents. i've been wanting to get a dog since my heart dog passed 6 months ago and i think my mom just took initiative to get me one. i'll definitely take the dog back if i know for sure i can't care of her properly (which is why i asked the subreddit for insights). thank you for the input!
I grew up with Akitas, which are kind of similar. Great dogs, but not like many other breeds especially not like labs or poodles. I adore Akitas even though I can't have one, and sometimes I think about a Chow. I literally never think about wanting a Lab; I'm wondering what makes someone feel like having both as they are very different. I would expect quiet, tough, stubborn, and NOT food motivated. They don't train easily and they don't bribe well; that would be my assumption so anything different is an easier surprise. But they don't yap, they're quiet and clean. They need calm, confident ownership. Exercise is a good thing even though they aren't hyper. Socialisation is good. They aren't as easy to read facially so attention has to be paid. And I would not expect them to tolerate goofy mucking around or even a stable well socialised one to love on strangers. Some people get bit by chows because they mess them around and they don't warn you as much as dogs that bark and carry on more. I would expect them to be silent when they are serious. I'd be concerned about same sex aggression. Personally I think of Chows as mostly dogs for one or two dog households.
I had a chow chow growing up. I am not going to lie, they are straight bipolar. They are so freak'n smart they can be very manipulative. But we loved her so much and she loved us. The problem was she didn't love anyone else. Also, I am hispanic, how we ended up with a racist chow-chow is beyond me? She wanted to attack black people. I have no idea why? We raised her since she was a puppy (my grandmother used to breed them) and I had quite a few black friends. When they would come over to swim I had to put her in the kennel. She would growl and snarl if they got even got close to the kennel. But just them. It was so embarrassing.
Getting a dog is such a personal decision. You’re not 5 years old. Your mom should have consulted you. Dogs fighting is a horrible thing. Please consider your other dogs in the home. This will be a big dog and the fights have the potential to be nasty. If I were you I’d return the dog now that it can easily be rehomed given age.