Common Chow Chow Behavior Problems and the Instinct Behind Each
General training information. Every dog is an individual; for health or behavior concerns, see your veterinarian.
Most chow chow behavior problems make more sense once you know what the dog was built to do. The breed comes from northern China, more than 2,000 years ago, according to the Canine Bible breed page. These were working dogs used for hunting, guarding and pulling carts.
That history shows up in the living room. A dog bred to guard may stare down your guests. A dog bred to work independently may ignore your cue. This guide walks through the most common chow chow problems, the instinct behind each one, and a plain training plan you can follow.
Individual dogs vary. Treat everything here as a starting point, not a prediction for your dog.
What You Will Need
- Small, soft, high-value treats you can deliver fast
- A flat collar or well-fitted harness and a standard 6-foot leash
- A baby gate or exercise pen to manage space
- A mat or bed for settle practice
- A grooming brush, since heavy shedding is part of daily life with this breed
- A notebook to log triggers, distances and progress
- Fresh water and a cool spot for breaks
You do not need special gear. Prong, choke and shock collars are never part of this plan. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) supports reward-based training, and these tools can make fear and aggression worse.
First, Understand the Breed's Baseline
Orvis describes the Chow Chow as independent of spirit and standoffish with strangers, loyal to family, and often bonded most closely to one favorite person. It also calls the breed protective and territorial. The Canine Bible page adds that the breed is dignified, calm and strong-willed, and can be aloof.
Neither source describes a dog that wants to please on command. Both point to a dog that needs consistent, patient handling. If you are new to the basics, start with our complete guide to training a Chow Chow, then come back here for specific problems.
Step 1: Name the Problem and the Instinct Behind It
Before you train, decide which behavior you are actually dealing with. Write down when it happens, who is present and what happened right before. The patterns below are drawn from the challenges the Chow Chow Club welfare committee and breed profiles describe.
| Behavior | Likely instinct |
|---|---|
| Ignoring cues, "stubborn" streak | Independent working-dog mindset |
| Stiffness or lunging at strangers | Guarding and wariness of outsiders |
| Guarding home, yard or people | Protective, territorial nature |
| Tension with other dogs | Reserved nature, weak early socialization |
| Shutting down in heat | Thick double coat and low stamina |
A label like "stubborn" is only a starting point. Your job is to figure out whether the dog is unmotivated, confused, afraid or simply choosing something else.
Step 2: Prevent Problems From Day One
The Chow Chow Club welfare article "Please Train Your Chow" stresses that training starts the day the dog comes home. It also says socialization before 12 to 16 weeks matters, and that a second fear period arrives at about 6 to 8 months.
Put that into practice:
- Start routines immediately. Set meal times, door manners and house rules in the first week. Do not wait for the dog to "settle in."
- Socialize on purpose. Introduce calm, friendly people, surfaces, sounds and well-mannered dogs in short, pleasant sessions. Pair each new thing with a treat. Check with your veterinarian about safe outings before your puppy's vaccines are complete.
- Protect the fear period. Around 6 to 8 months, keep experiences gentle. If your dog startles, increase distance and let them recover. Do not force a greeting.
- Keep handling positive. Practice touching paws, ears and the coat while brushing, with treats. A thick coat means lots of grooming, so the dog needs to enjoy it.
Step 3: Build a Training Plan for Each Problem
Problem A: Ignoring Cues and Seeming Stubborn
The instinct: Orvis calls the breed intelligent but highly independent and stubborn, and says it needs patience, consistency and positive methods. A dog bred to work without constant direction will often weigh your request against other options.
The plan:
- Train in short sessions of a few minutes, a few times a day, before meals.
- Teach one cue at a time in a quiet room. Mark the right behavior and reward right away.
- Make the reward worth the effort. If your dog walks away, the treat may not be good enough, or the session may be too long.
- Add distractions slowly. Move from the kitchen to the hallway, then the yard, then the street.
- Give a cue once. Do not repeat it five times, which teaches the dog that the first one is optional.
Problem B: Wariness and Reactivity With Strangers
The instinct: Orvis describes the breed as standoffish with strangers. A guarding heritage means a new person at the door can look like a job to do.
The plan:
- Find the distance at which your dog notices a stranger but stays relaxed. This is your working distance.
- When your dog sees a person at that distance, mark and reward calm looks.
- Move closer only over many sessions, and only while your dog stays loose.
- Never require strangers to pet your dog. Ask visitors to ignore the dog and drop treats on the floor instead.
- Teach a "go to your mat" cue for when guests arrive.
Problem C: Guarding and Territorial Behavior
The instinct: The breed is described by Orvis as protective and territorial. The dog is not being spiteful. Guarding is the job the dog was bred to do.
The plan:
- Manage the setup first. Use gates, closed doors and leashes so the dog cannot rehearse guarding behavior.
- Teach a reliable settle on a mat, away from the door or fence line.
- When the doorbell rings, toss treats on the mat and cue the dog to go there. Over time, the bell predicts a treat and a place to go.
- Do not punish growling or staring. A warning is useful information. Punishing it can teach a dog to skip the warning.
- Keep guests and children from approaching the dog's food, bed or toys.
Problem D: Tension With Other Dogs
The instinct: The Canine Bible says the breed may be reserved or dominant with other dogs, and that early socialization is key. Reserved dogs often prefer space, and some can be pushy when they do engage.
The plan:
- Skip crowded dog parks. Choose planned, parallel walks with one calm, known dog at a time.
- Keep leashes loose and walk at a distance where both dogs are relaxed.
- Reward your dog for looking at the other dog and then back at you.
- End sessions early and on a good note. Short and successful beats long and tense.
- Be honest about what your dog enjoys. Some adult Chows are happiest as the only dog.
Problem E: Overheating and Low Stamina
The instinct: This is physical rather than behavioral, but it shapes behavior. Orvis says the breed does not need vigorous exercise, tires quickly and can struggle in heat. A dog that lies down mid-walk may not be stubborn. It may be hot.
The plan:
- Aim for about an hour of moderate daily exercise, as Orvis suggests, split into shorter outings.
- Walk early or late in warm weather, and keep a shaded rest spot and water available.
- Stop any activity if your dog is panting hard, drooling heavily or slowing down. Call your veterinarian if you are worried.
- Use brain work, like sniffing games and short training, to fill the gaps when it is too warm to walk.
Step 4: Practice Daily and Track Progress
Consistency matters more than intensity. Everyone in the household should use the same cues, the same rules and the same rewards.
Each week, review your notes. Is the working distance getting smaller? Is recovery after a trigger faster? Small improvements count.
Structured activities can also give your dog a job. The Chow Chow Club's Obedience/Performance page lists Obedience, Rally, Agility, Barn Hunt, Trick Dog, Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and Tracking among the activities Chows take part in. Pick one that suits your dog's comfort level and stamina.
Tips for Better Results
- Train before you are frustrated. If you feel your patience thinning, end on an easy win.
- Reward calm, not just tricks. Drop a treat when your dog lies quietly while you are busy.
- Respect the one-person bond. If your dog favors one person, have others take part in feeding and training so the dog learns to look to the whole family.
- Be careful with young children. The Canine Bible says the breed tends to do better with older children who understand boundaries. Supervise all interactions.
- Keep sessions fun. A bored Chow often simply stops playing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using force or intimidation. Harsh methods, including alpha rolls, scruffing, and prong, choke or shock collars, go against AVSAB guidance. They can damage trust and raise the risk of defensive behavior.
- Waiting too long. Putting off training until the dog is a year old means practicing the problem for months.
- Flooding the dog. Pushing a wary dog into crowds or forced greetings usually backfires.
- Skipping vet checks. Pain can change behavior. The sources list hip and elbow dysplasia, eye disorders and other conditions among the breed's health concerns. A sudden shift in temperament deserves a veterinary exam.
- Assuming a group class fits every problem. The Chow Chow Club article warns that serious problems such as aggression are not for group classes.
Expected Results
With steady, reward-based practice, many owners find that their dog becomes easier to manage over weeks to months. You may see quicker responses to cues, calmer reactions at the door and better recovery after something startling.
Results depend on the dog's background, age, health and your consistency. A guarding or wary dog may always need management. The goal is a dog who copes better, not a different dog. No plan can promise a specific outcome.
When to Call a Certified Trainer or Veterinary Behaviorist
Get professional help early if you see any of the following:
- Growling, snapping or biting toward people, especially with little warning
- Guarding food, toys or spaces in a way that makes daily life unsafe
- Fights or repeated serious tension with other dogs
- Fear that is getting worse despite careful work
- A sudden behavior change that might signal pain or illness
Start with your veterinarian to rule out medical causes. Then look for a certified trainer who uses reward-based methods, or ask your vet about a referral to a veterinary behaviorist for complex or aggressive cases. Medication or supplement questions belong with the veterinarian, never with a general guide like this one.
Ask any trainer how they would handle your dog's problem, and walk away from anyone who recommends pain, fear or intimidation. For serious problems, expect private sessions rather than a group class. The Chow Chow Club also offers breed resources worth checking.
A Final Word
Chows can be loyal, dignified companions. They are also dogs with strong opinions and a long working past. Meet those instincts with patience, structure and rewards, and you give your dog the best chance of fitting into your home. For a broader foundation, return to the complete guide to training a Chow Chow.