Chow Chow Training Guide – Crate, Toilet & More Tips!

Cat-like, aloof and independent are probably the most common traits of a Chow Chow. And, while it is true that these teddy bear-like dogs are not the best when it comes to cuddling, a Chow is an incredibly loyal companion that will protect its owners to a fault.

As with all dog breeds that bring about an extra ounce of personality, it is important to implement a strict training routine from a young age.

When and how to train your Chow Chow, as well as some valuable tips, are provided in this extensive Chow Chow training guide.

Should I Train My Chow Chow?

Yes, absolutely. In general, every breed should receive adequate dog training, no matter the size or even age, but in general, the sooner, the better.
 

Are Chow Chows Easy To Train?

Chow Chows are probably not the easiest dogs to train as they have a very independent streak and might not be as eager to please their owners as other breeds. But, thanks to their level of intelligence, they will pick up tricks quickly and learn relatively fast.
 

What Kind Of Training Does A Chow Chow Need?

Chow Chows will require dog training that starts at a very young age to turn them into happy and sociable family members. You should make sure to start training on a high-reward basis for short sessions as they are young puppies.

They will need large amounts of socialisation training to avoid being wary of strangers and other dogs or pets. On top of that, obedience training is of high importance to this breed as they should never be able to assert dominance over humans, which will otherwise make them very hard to control.
 

Toilet Training A Chow Chow Puppy

Housebreaking a dog requires consistency and dedication from the minute you bring your puppy home. The more consistent you are with toilet training your Chow, the quicker you will see results and won’t be surprised by stepping into a little accident on your favourite carpet.

When to start toilet training your Chow Chow puppy

Technically you can toilet train a dog at any age, but the best is to start potty training your Chow Chow between 8 and 12 weeks of age.

How to toilet train your Chow Chow puppy

1. Create a safe and comfortable space where your Chow will have its main spot in the house. Use a crate or a dog bed in a cosy corner of your apartment or house, and make sure your puppy is comfortable there.
2. Start in the early morning and carry your puppy outside to a patch of grass or soil or wherever else you want it to go potty.
3. Wait next to your puppy until it has done its deed, and shower it with lots of verbal praise and a little treat so that it starts to associate going potty outside with something positive.
4. Continue this procedure every two hours or so, and make sure to take your puppy outside one last time right before bedtime.
5. If you catch your dog urinating or pooing inside the house, pick it up quickly and say “No!” while taking it outside to its designated potty area and waiting for it to finish. Then give praise again.
6. Pay attention to the behaviour of your puppy and let it go outside as soon as it starts to get nervous or show any other signs of having to go.
7. Be consistent once you start to potty train your Chow, and you will see poo-sitive results very quickly.

Crate Training Your Chow Chow

Why is it important to crate train your Chow Chow puppy?

The philosophy behind crate training is that if you crate train your Chow correctly, your dog will start viewing the crate as a safe space, similar to a den in nature and its home, rather than a place of confinement.

For dog owners, crate training is beneficial as it assists you with potty training your dog, limiting the access to your apartment or house when needed and provides a safe way to transport your Chow in the car.

When to start crate training your Chow Chow puppy

The best way to crate train your Chow is once it has settled into the new home, at an early age, as it can take several months until your pup has fully understood and gotten used to the crate.

How to crate train your Chow Chow puppy

1. Establish a positive environment around the crate. Bring your dog into its crate when it is calm and happy, and aid this process with treats if necessary.
2. Make sure your dog is comfy in there. Provide a dog bed, blankets or cushions inside the crate and maybe add its favourite toy to make it feel homey.
3. Every time your dog goes into the crate, rewarding it with a treat is the way to go.
4. Incorporate the crate into playtime and try to throw a ball into the crate so that the puppy associates it with other fun situations.
5. Don’t ever let your dog into the crate wearing a collar or anything else, as it could get stuck and strangle itself.
6. Maintain the crate as a positive experience and never use it as punishment for your dog.

Pros and cons of crate training

Here is a quick recap on the biggest advantages and disadvantages of crate training Chows:

Pros

• Helps with potty training
• Creates a safe space for your puppy and adult dog
• Hones den instincts
• Keeps dog safe in home or car

Cons

• Dangerous if assembled wrong
• If not trained well, can be associated with negative emotions
• Can cause physical frustration if in the crate too long

Can I Train My Chow Chow To Do Tricks?

Yes, you can teach your Chow to do tricks! Patience is key, as well as using high-value treats.Don’t expect your Chows to become show dogs, but you will be able to teach them some fun commands such as “paw” or “spin”.
 

Tips For Training Your Chow Chow

Be consistent

Use the same commands, hand signs and noises when training your dog to do – or not do -certain things and try to have several training sessions throughout the day. Even when your adult dog is fully trained, you should do some recap sessions now and then to reinforce the commands and also to keep the level of respect.

Positive reinforcement is key

Contrary to some beliefs, punishment does not assert dominance and create respect; it causes distrust in your dog. A dog will always stick to the behaviour which involves the biggest reward for them, so if you praise your dog for listening to your command, it is very likely to do so again.

Avoid over-using treats

Too many treats are bad for your dog’s health, and they should never eat too many as they will otherwise not enjoy their actual food anymore or gain too much weight.

Consider clicker training

As Chows can sometimes be stubborn, introducing a neutral sound such as a clicker, followed by positive reinforcement – such as a treat – is a great way to make your dog listen to your command.

You use the clicker regularly at the exact moment your dog did what you want it to do and follow that straight with a treat as a reward. This way, your dog will start associating the click with the desired behaviour and understand more clearly what you expect from him.
 

Final Thoughts on Training A Chow Chow

Most people associate Chows with aggressive or aloof behaviour, but most of the time, they just haven’t been trained well.

If you start with socialisation at an early age, establish respect from your dog towards you and teach it the correct commands, your dog’s misunderstood temperament will turn into relaxed loyalty, and you will have an obedient friend for the rest of their life.