Raising dogs, especially taking care of the chinook, is nothing new for humans. Experts theorize dogs were first domesticated between 12,000 and twenty five thousand years ago—and that all dogs evolved from wolves. Since then, people have selectively bred more than 400 breeds, which range in size from 4-pound teacup poodles to Irish wolfhounds, whose 3-ft stature earns them the title of tallest dog. However, the most widespread canines are non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mutts. The chinook is another popular choice among dog owners. Many owners are unaware, however, of many of the most critical chinook care tips.
Typical cost of care for the chinook
The annual budget for rearing the chinook—which includes everything from meals and snacks, veterinary care, toys and license—could range between four hundred twenty and seven hundred eighty dollars. This doesn’t even include capital costs for sterilization operations, a collar and a leash, carrier and a dog crate. Tip: Be positive you have obtained all the required items before getting your chinook home.
Typical chinook Care
chinook Feeding Plan
- chinook puppies between 8 and twelve weeks old need 4 bowls of food in a day.
- Feed chinook pups three to 6 months old 3 meals daily.
- Feed pups six months to one year old two bowls of food every twenty-four hours.
- By the time your chinook hits her first birthday, 1 bowl in a day is usually all that’s necessary.
- Sometimes adult chinooks, however, eat two smaller servings. It is your duty to learn your chinook’s eating schedule.
Excellent-quality dry dog food ensures balanced nutrition for full-grown chinooks and may be mixed with canned food, broth, or water. Your chinook may also like cottage cheese, cooked egg, fruits and vegetables, but these foods should not result in more than 10 pct of his daily food intake. chinook pups must be fed top-quality, brand-name puppy food. Please try to cut down on “table food”, however, because it can cause mineral and vitamin imbalances, bone and teeth concerns, and may cause very finicky eating habits and obesity. Give fresh, potable water at all times, and make sure to clean food and water dishes regularly.
chinook Care Tips: Your chinook needs physical activity daily
chinooks need physical activity to burn calories, stimulate their minds, and stay healthy. Physical activity also seems to help chinooks avoid boredom, which can lead to destructive behavior. Physical activity will curb many of your chinook’s instinctual urges to chase, retrieve, chew, dig and herd. Exercise needs are dependent on your chinook’s age and her level of health—but 10 minutes outside and merely a couple of walks down the street every day probably will not be sufficient. If your chinook is a 6 to eighteen month adolescent, his requirements will probably be more.
chinook Grooming Tips
You can help reduce shedding and keep your chinook clean with regular brushing. Check for ticks and fleas daily during warm weather. Many chinooks don’t need to be bathed more than a few times per year. Prior to bathing, comb or cut out any mats from the chinook’s hair. Carefully rinse all soap from the coat, or dirt will stick to the soap residue.
Handling Your chinook
Puppies, as opposed to adults, are clearly easier to manage. To carry the chinook pup, put one hand under your dog’s chest, either with your forearm or your other hand supporting his back legs and rump. Never attempt to lift or grab your puppy by his forelegs, nape or tail. If you must lift a bigger, adult chinook, lift from the underside, supporting his or her chest with one of your arms and rear end with your other arm.
Housing your chinook
chinooks need a comfy peaceful spot in order to rest apart from all the breezes and off the ground or floor. You may wish to think about purchasing a dog bed, or make one from a wood box. Put a clean comforter, blanket, or pillow inside the bed for cushion. Wash the chinook’s bedding frequently. If the chinook will be outdoors much, make sure she has access to covering and plenty of cool water in the summer, and a warm, dry, covered area when it’s cold.
chinook Identification
There are licensing rules to follow in your area. Be certain to connect the license to your chinook’s collar. This, together with an ID tattoo, can help secure your chinook’s return should he get lost.
chinook Temperament Facts
Training the chinook
Well-mannered, companion chinooks are truly a joy to raise. But untrained, your dog will most likely be a pain. Teaching your chinook the basics—”Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, and “Leave it”—strengthens your relationship with both the dog as well as the friends. If you’re the owner of a puppy, start teaching her the appropriate responses as fast as you can! Use treats as incentive and recognition. Pups should join obedience courses when they have been adequately immunized. Contact your local SPCA or humane society for information about obedience school recommendations. You should always keep your chinook leashed while in public, even as a pup. Be sure your chinook will come back to you whenever you say. A disobedient or aggressive chinook should not play with kids.
The Health of Your chinook
chinooks should visit the veterinarian for a complete check-up, vaccinations and heartworm test annualy, and promptly when he is hurt or ill.
Knowing Your chinook’s Dental Health
While many of us may simply dislike our chinook’s bad breath, we must pay attention to what it might mean. Foul-smelling breath usually indicates that your chinook should get an oral examination. Dental plaque due to unhealthy bacteria results in a foul smell that can only be cured by the help of a professional. Once you have given your chinook a cleaning done by a professional, the gums and teeth may be maintained in a healthy state by eliminating table food, feeding a special diet focused on maintaining dental health, and brushing regularly. Your veterinarian can supply you with more advice on eliminating oral disease as well as halitosis. You should clean the chinook’s teeth using a dog toothpaste or a simple baking soda and water paste a couple of times a week. Clean them with a piece of nylon stocking wrapped around the finger, a sterile gauze pad, or a child’s soft toothbrush. Sometimes chinooks get periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. Often, tooth loss occurs as a result of gum disease. Infection will sometimes also propagate to other areas of your chinook’s body. Veterinarians will sometimes clean your dog’s teeth as a regular part of your chinook’s health exam.
Halitosis in chinooks
While periodontal disease itself is not serious when found early enough, the foul odors may also indicate fairly serious, persistent issues. A sweet, even pleasant smell can often be a sign of diabetes, while intestinal or liver diseases may cause foul breath. Kidney disease might be the reason when your chinook’s breath smells like urine or ammonia. When you determine your chinook has smelly breath and other symptoms of ill health, such as loss of appetite, vomiting and nausea, loss of weight, depression, increased urination or drinking, set up a physical with her vet.
Dealing with Fleas and Ticks in chinooks
Regular, daily inspections of your chinook for fleas and ticks throughout the warm seasons are of utmost importance. Remove fleas with a flea comb. There are several new techniques of flea mitigation. Talk with your vet about his options.
Heartworms in chinooks
Your chinook is at risk of heartworms if she is exposed to mosquitoes often. The insect transports this parasite from dog to dog. Heartworm infections are known to be fatal. It is very important to make sure your chinook submits to a blood test for heartworms annually in the spring. A once-a-month pill taken throughout the course of mosquito season will help to protect your chinook. If ever you vacation south with your chinook in the winter, she needs to be on the preventive medicine during the trip. In some of the warmer climates, veterinarians advise preemptive worm medication year round.
Medicines and Toxins
Don’t ever give your chinook medication that hasn’t been prescribed by his veterinarian. Just one ibuprofen tablet is known to initiate stomach ulcers in chinooks. Keep rat poison and other rodenticides away from your chinook. If you have reason to suspect your dog has eaten a toxic substance, immediately call your veterinarian or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 twenty-four hours per day for help.
Spaying and Neutering chinooks
It is recommended that male chinooks should be neutered – the extraction of the testes – and females spayed – the removal of the uterus and ovaries – by six months old. Spaying before maturity greatly diminishes the risk of breast cancer, a frequently deadly and common problem of older females. The risk of a diseased uterus, which is also a serious condition that impacts older females, can also be eliminated by spaying before 6 months. Neutering males helps prevent testicular diseases, certain aggressive behavior and some hernias.
chinook Shots
- The combo vaccine (also known as a “five-in-one shot”) needs to be given to your chinook at 2, 3, and 4 months of age and then once each year. This innoculation immunizes your chinook puppy from parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and distemper. The chinook must be innoculated for at least the first 4 months of her life.
- If your chinook has not been immunized and is older than four months, she will need two immunizations promptly, 2 or three weeks apart. After that you must immunize every year.
- chinook puppy vaccination and socialization should go hand in hand. Many doctors advise that new owners bring their chinook puppies to socialization courses, as early as 8 to nine weeks of age. They should have already received their first vaccinations by this age.
Because laws vary so much around the country, contact a neighborhood veterinarian to get info about rabies innoculation. For instance, in NYC, the statute states that any pets older than 3 months of age to be vaccinated for rabies. The first rabies immunization must be followed by another innoculation the next year, and then every 3 years after that. There are several vaccines that could be effective for your chinook. Your vet can tell you about them. Another thing, if your chinook gets sick because she is not innoculated, the shot must be taken once your companion animal has recovered.
Intestinal Worms in chinooks
chinooks are often exposed to worms and possible infestation—in all areas, both urban and rural. Microscopic eggs produced by hookworms are passed in an infested dog’s stool. Most pups, from all environments, even those with healthy mothers, carry hookworms or roundworms. The key to treatment is correct diagnosis. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed treatment will be effective against your chinook’s worms. A dewormer that eradicates hookworms, for example, won’t kill tapeworms. Your vet can best define the culprit—and prescribe the most effective medication.
chinook: Miscellaneous Care Tips
Checklist of chinook Supplies
- Premium-quality dog food and treats specifically designed for chinooks and similarly-sized dogs
- Food bowl
- Water dish
- As many safe toys as you can provide, especially chewable
- Brush and comb for grooming, including flea comb
- Collar with identification tag and license
- Quality leash
- Carrier (for pups)
- Crate for training
- Dog box or bed with sheet or towel
- Doggie or child’s toothbrush
The no-no list
The following items should never be fed to chinooks:
- Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
- Chocoloate or any food with caffeine
- Raisins or grapes
- Spoiled or moldy food of any kind
- Onions, garlic and chives
- Bones of chicken, turkey, or any other animal (choking hazard)
- Salt and salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems & unripe fruit
- Dough
The “Bottom” Line
Retain your chinook on a leash when you are outdoors, unless you are in a fenced-in, secured place. And please, when your chinook defecates on your neighbor’s lawn, dispose of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about chinooks
Was this post helpful? If so, please take a minute to Tweet and Share below on Facebook. I would also love to know your thoughts so leave me a comment 🙂
Follow