This guide has been split for your convenience to cover different phases of your dogs life. 0-8 weeks (the time with the breeder); 8 weeks to 5 months; 5 months to 14 months; 14 months and over. These areas have been chosen as they represent different phases of your dog’s life- growing puppy, maturing, adult.

While with a breeder a puppy should have been reared in house and as such is accustomed to all normal household noises. Things like vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, T.V’s etc. These should not bother the puppy as it has heard them since birth. From birth puppies should be handled on a daily basis for weighing. Once of a decent age these puppies can then be handled more and thus they are used to different voices, of both sexes, and children. If anyone has come to view the puppies they should see the whole litter (if all are still here).

While with me puppies get used to different rooms in the house, being carried to different rooms or walking as a litter into/ out of different rooms. They will also have been outside to our puppy play area at the side of the house, in winter this is more limited due to the temperature, but this is dry and a good area for them to get used to being outdoor and getting fresh air. Puppies will be used to walking/ standing on blankets, concrete, grass, laminate flooring, newspaper, paving slabs, puppy pads rubber matting, sawdust, tiles, vet bed, and wooden table.

I take my puppies to the vets (20 minute journey on a winding road- a great test of being travel sick). While at the vets they will be gone over by the vet, given their vaccine etc. This is the extent to which we can do during this time due to not having their full vaccinations.

8 weeks to 5 months

First things first, get your puppy used to you and being in your house, within a couple of days they should be completely comfortable and at ease. After this think of the vets and other people. Imagine you’ve just left your family to live with someone new, and you’re suddenly taken to a doctors to be poked and prodded before going to a home you don’t know then more people pouncing on you, it’s a lot to take in. So take the first couple of days easy, get used to the family and a small routine. When you get in food is high on the agenda along with water, get a blanket on the floor and things will look like home for sure.

People can come in and see your puppy, but do think that it may not have had both vaccinations at this point, so try not to expose them to too much. Once your vet has okayed things try to get your puppy out as much as possible. This phase of a dog’s life will help to set them up for life. The more positive experiences they have the more prepared they can be and the better temperament they should maintain.

I recommend socialising your puppy as much as possible when young as Chows are not a breed who readily accept strangers but the more people they meet the better it will be. Some ways of improving socialisation include; attend puppy socialisation classes (where there is only a reward system); walk them in populated areas (they will become accustom to random people stroking them); attend ring craft classes (showing is another aspect where people will be touching your dog, opening its mouth and going over its whole body). I would recommend walking them on a shorter lead to improve your bond with the dog more.

5 months to 14 months, by now the work you did early on is evident. You chow should be happy and confident in any situation if you assisted this process early enough. During this phase a puppy begins to figure things out, where is my place in this family, what can I get away with, why should I do this or that. These are the questions your chow will be asking itself. As such it is important to maintain positive behaviour, puppy classes can be good, but this is about maintaining your relationship with your chow, grooming, walking and expected behaviour. I find my chows respond to my voice very will, if I say no they know to stop things, remember to always reward positive behaviour. As the months progress you should have to say no less as the chow know there’s just no point in attempting certain things.

Be mindful that when in season your chow may behave differently, they may not appreciate other dogs around them as much. Equally once a male is cocking its leg they may become more interested in bitches. Think about a situation and how to ensure the safety of your dog always.

14 months and over, this is when your chow is fully grown, mature and settled. All of the work you put in up to this point pays out, if some behaviour is unwanted at this age it is more difficult to resolve. Avoid your chow getting to that point, train early, be positive and enjoy for many years.

Showing is a great way to bond with your dog, and it assists with behaviour and obedience, your dog will be used to others toughing and going over them, along with being able to relax while others are showing. Showing is social, for you and your dog, it is a way for you to talk with similar people and to voice concerns/ to observe the been in general.

Every dog isn’t a good show dog, some enjoy but won’t win, others could win but won’t enjoy. Occasionally we are lucky enough to get a dog that enjoys every aspect of the day that will also win. For me this is important if a dog isn’t enjoying their day I won’t show them, having a happy dog is most important.

When showing a dog, you aim to show their better attributes and to avoid negative aspects. I ensure my dog is closer to me, and that I am between my dog and others as much as I can be, I prefer to be at the front or at the back of the others to assist with this. Ensure you move the dog at a good pace for them, and every dog doesn’t walk at the same speed. Think about where you stand concerning others if your dog is small should you be next to the tallest, longer dogs next to the squarest etc.? To assist in disguising certain aspects we should think about others and stand in a place that works for your dog.

I try to show using a different lead and collar to what my dogs are used to in everyday life. I find this helps them to get used to how they should behave when showing.

Grooming should be done before the show allowing more of a relaxing environment and less faffing for you and your dog.