Blue Chow Puppy!

Maybe you could get her a book on Chows as a Welcome to the New Addition gift.  And maybe a generalized book like The Culture Clash or something to help her get on her way.  

How about getting her to feed better food so the pup will at least have a chance to grow up helathy?  it doens't have to be the most expensive on the block, but at leas tbetter than Ol' Roy!

I don't want to disagree with what you said buy maybe a new pup to be the companion of the other dog is just what the other dog needs. Maybe the two dogs will keep eachother happy and at least they can have each other. I don't know why a chow, the fur is so difficult to care for, but it seems like her mind is in the right place. I don't know the whole story but if you just welcome the little dog and help her get a good start so she could at least be on the right track.

It's not just the fur that's hard to take care of. Chows have strong personalities and territorial instincts. Getting one because they're cute is the absolute worst reason ever. I think this situation is a disaster waiting to happen.... I think having 3 kids under the age of 5 is not a good idea with this breed. [&:] I'm sure there are exceptions, but I just don't think it's a good idea at all, and ESPECIALLY with a novice dog owner.

Also, I could be wrong, but I think Chows are more of loners; I don't exactly think the Chow would be paling around with her Beagle.
 
Honestly, there are just so many red flags in the whole situation.....

What I would recommend, if she's set on keeping the puppy, is to start training immediately. I would have him in a puppy kindergarten at 16 weeks and really commit to training. I hope everything works out okay, but I just don't have a good feeling at all.

If I was ever to get a chow puppy the things I would do are---socialize, socialize, socialize, do not leave pup outside to live at any time of it's life, NILIF training from the beginning, obedience training from as early as they will allow because they are quite stubborn and refuse commands often, consistent grooming from an early age because the last thing she wants is a chow in full coat that won't let her groom him, a healthy diet--they are prone to stomach cancer. 
 
If I can help out in any way please let me know. 
 

One thing she absolutely MUST know...is that Chows, as a result of their deep set eyes, and facial wrinkling, can have poor peripheral vision. Quick movements, esp directed towards them...can cause them to startle and some will take to snapping. Some breeders of Chows have issues with quick moving judges in the ring, and children outside of it...always approach a Chow from the FRONT so they can see you, and you will get a better reception. They are not overly tolerant of rough handling either....the combo makes them a generally poor choice for kids not old enough or well supervised enough to know the CORRECT way to interact with a dog. This one feature more than any other likely contributes to the Chows "rep"...they are not overly aggressive as a breed, they just require good upbringing and understanding that they are not Labs, and are aloof by nature.
 
Have her make sure her Chows eyes are as healthy as can be, no entropion present as is common in the breed (eyelids turned inwards rubbing the eye causing discharge and pain)...blue dogs can also be more susceptible to skin and coat ailments so make sure she feeds a good quality food and stays on top of any issues with the coat. They are also sensitive to anesthesia. Then the rear end knee issues and front end elbow displasia issues. Information is power....I am sure you will give her lots[]

can have poor peripheral vision

 
They absolutely DO  have poor peripheral vision.  Willow only has a moderate muzzle and her eyes are not extremely set in and she has horrible peripheral vision.

I just want to add to this that chows can be good with children, mine is, she is 7 years old this year, and lives with 2 boys both under 5.  She, however, does not live with me, as yes Chows are usually loner dogs and she had to go live where she would be the only dog.  My best friend has her and she does fine with her kids and with any kids she has ever been around.  But I knew what chows need to have to make them good family dogs, she went to obediance class, she is an indoor dog, she goes out for the day but inside all night and playing with the kids.  They can be find with this, but it took a lot of attention and diligence on my part.

It's true a lot of people on the chow forum have kids.  It's ALL in the socialization and proper training and teaching of pack hierarchy when they are young.  I also know that a lot of people on that forum have two chows or a chow and another breed or a chow mix.  So, it IS possible to socialize to other dogs.  BUT, if you don't most likely they won't like other dogs.  Willow can't stand the sight of another dog, she'd actually better with cats! 

Thanks for all the great advice guys! I knew I could rely on you all. Unfortunately I have bad bad news. I am SOOO upset right now, still shocked. (btw, sorry it took me so long to get back to this post, I started a new job and it's been crazy, no more i-dog at work []).
I met my friend on sunday. She's in bad shape, her husband (soon to be ex) is making her life hell, he's violent and tries to hurt her by trying to hurt the kids (not physically). He took the dogs, both of them, Kally (Joeys mommy and Carter - the chow puppy). He dropped the kids off saturday (he gets visitation, but not by himself), he's not even allowed to get out of the car (restraining order). She said he drove off and she took the dogs outside to potty. 10 Minutes later she went to let them back in and they were both gone [].
Now he's telling the kids that he had to take the dogs away because their mom was bad. We have NO idea where they are, he moved in with his grandmother, she checked there but no luck []. I am soooo sad, I PRAY he didn't hurt them.

ORIGINAL: nadinetreadway

Thanks for all the great advice guys! I knew I could rely on you all. Unfortunately I have bad bad news. I am SOOO upset right now, still shocked. (btw, sorry it took me so long to get back to this post, I started a new job and it's been crazy, no more i-dog at work []).
I met my friend on sunday. She's in bad shape, her husband (soon to be ex) is making her life hell, he's violent and tries to hurt her by trying to hurt the kids (not physically). He took the dogs, both of them, Kally (Joeys mommy and Carter - the chow puppy). He dropped the kids off saturday (he gets visitation, but not by himself), he's not even allowed to get out of the car (restraining order). She said he drove off and she took the dogs outside to potty. 10 Minutes later she went to let them back in and they were both gone [].
Now he's telling the kids that he had to take the dogs away because their mom was bad. We have NO idea where they are, he moved in with his grandmother, she checked there but no luck []. I am soooo sad, I PRAY he didn't hurt them.

 
Oh my goodness! What a sick individual. [] I hope those dogs are okay and that your friend and her kids are safe...

Ugh. . .this makes me so po'd.  Here will be another chow that grows up all screwed up and then later when he acts aggressively, it will be the breeds fault.