Page 50 - Chow LIfe - Summer 2021
P. 50
Is Training A Chow Even Possible?
(YES IT IS!)
by Dr. Cynthia Becker
Chow Chows are notorious for ignoring us Once you have a motivation technique ready,
when we need them to pay attention. There plan your training session. Know exactly what
are funny T-shirts, memes and an almost you will do and for how long and what will
boasting of how talented our furry friends define a successful result. An example would be:
are at “Chowtitude” and pretending we are • Begin training for heel position
not there……UNLESS there is something
they want! There they are with those adorable • Maximum time for session 10 minutes
faces…who can say no to them? So what is an
enamored Chow person to do? • Reward at heel, take 1 step, reward at
heel
We can use what our Chows want, to get
what WE want. It may be something as • Rewards: roast beef, cheese (reward
simple as housebreaking or as complicated as continuously for 10 seconds small bits)
conformation training, performance training or • Lure for first tries to ensure success
companion event training. Just like us, Chows
enjoy a paycheck, preferably a BIG one to get • Success=Chow sits at heel (reward),
their attention. So the first step in training a moves with handler 1 step forward
Chow is to discover what they want. This could (reward in standing position)
be different for different Chows. Food is usually • Stop, disengage, wait at least 1 minute,
at the top of the list. Some prefer special toys. repeat
Attention from you can also be a motivator. Just
look at how excited they are to see us return • End before Chow is bored. You decide
if we have been gone, if only for a moment. when to end and leave them wanting
Your mission is to find out what will get your more.
Chow excited. Not just mildly interested…. Why end so soon, especially if things are going
EXCITED! If you are persistent in your search, well? Chows get bored with repetition. If the
the motivator for your Chow will appear. paycheck is too small, too many repetitions
performed, or if you fail to make it fun
(read here: too much pressure to perform
or disappointment exhibited), your training
partner will leave. Go back to your training
plan and regroup. Decrease repetitions, increase
the value of your reward (roast beef instead of
training treats or kibble), call first successful
attempt an end to the session and jackpot your
Chow (30 seconds of continuous small pieces of
reward…..30 seconds is a loooooong time. Use
a timer.)
One way to see if you have the correct motivator
is to train off-leash. If you can get your Chow’s
attention with the motivator you have, you
have success in your future. If you cannot get
your Chow’s attention with anything, you are
starting below ground zero. Keep looking for
something to excite your Chow (and no, live
squirrels are not an option). One of my Chows
likes toys, but never was excited until we tried a
duck that quacked. If she hears that sound, she
stops anything she is doing to come back to me
to check it out. We are currently using that to
48
