Treats for Chow Chow and Akita suspicious of new food

A Chow Chow and an Akita that are both wary of new treats — that's actually a pretty common combination. Both breeds tend to be independent, a bit suspicious by nature, and they don't respond well to being coaxed. The good news is that neophobic dogs like these usually come around quickly to single-ingredient meat treats because the smell is real and uncomplicated — there's nothing masking it. The best treats in general are high in protein, low in additives, and sized for the dog. Most heavily marketed treats are nutritionally poor and often smell artificial, which is exactly what puts off a discerning dog. Can you tell me: are the treats mainly for rewarding good behaviour, general snacking, or something like dental health? And do either dog have any dietary restrictions or known sensitivities?

That sniff-and-walk-away is classic Chow behaviour — they're not being difficult, they're just genuinely unimpressed by anything that smells processed or unfamiliar. For both dogs, the key is a treat where the smell does the convincing before they even taste it. What weight are they roughly? I want to make sure the treat size is appropriate — Akitas are usually 30–40kg and Chows around 25–30kg, but I'd rather not assume.

Good — healthy weights makes this straightforward. My recommendation is Lily's Kitchen Chicken Jerky Strips. They're made from 95% chicken breast with nothing else of significance — no glycerine, no added sugar, no coating. The texture is firm and chewy, which suits larger breeds well, and the smell is genuinely meaty rather than artificially enhanced. For a suspicious dog like your Chow, that natural scent profile is usually what breaks the resistance. They're also easy to break into smaller pieces for training without crumbling. At 38kg the Akita can have them whole; for the Chow I'd break them in half just to keep portion size appropriate. You'll likely find both dogs accept them within the first or second offering rather than the usual standoff.

Yes — with a Chow and an Akita together, always treat them separately or with clear distance between them, especially at first. Both breeds can be resource-guardy, and even if they coexist well, introducing a new high-value treat can change the dynamic temporarily. Feed them in different rooms or at opposite ends of the garden during training. Once they've both accepted the treat as a routine part of their day, you'll have much more flexibility. Don't free-feed these either — keep them as earned rewards so they retain value and don't become a source of competition.

That's the right approach. Give it two or three sessions before judging — even suspicious dogs usually come around once the smell is familiar. If for any reason the Chow still won't engage, fish skin treats like Icelandic+ Cod Skin are worth trying as a backup; the smell is more intense and sometimes that's what tips it for the really stubborn ones. Good luck with both of them.