Need help with my Belgian Malinoir - Page 1

Hi. My name is Dan and I live in Fort Worth, TX. I "inherited" a Belgian Malinoir a little over a year ago and am having trouble handling him. Here are the basics, perhaps someone can give me some guidance.

 - I got Dallas when he was a pup for my daughter, who no longer lives with me.
 - I got him off of a local farm from someone giving away puppies. We did not get him with papers. I was told he was part GS and part Husky. Recently a man who worked K9 told me he is definitely a Belgian Malinois.
 - Dallas is a very sweet and loving dog. He is affectionate and I've never known him to growl or be maliicious ever.
 - I have severe diabetic nueropathy and because of that I can't take Dallas for walks. I do take him to a dog park about once a week so he can burn off some of his energy.
 - Even with exercise, Dallas runs away when I call him - not from fear but trying to play, he challenges me. He steals food off counters and tables when he knows he's not supposed to. When I am asleep, he tears up the couch cushions and pillow cushions. Worse yet, Dallas tries to run out the front door whenever I open it. He insists on chasing cars and I am very worried that he'll be killed.
 - I picked up a stray terrier so Dallas would have someone to run and play with. They get along quite well, and spend most of the day in the yard as I have to work.
 - I've been able to train Dallas to sit and lie down but haven't had much luck otherwise.
- I considered giving him away, but am concerned because he's bonded to me and I've been told that once this happens, he would have trouble fitting in with another family.

I realize Dallas is a high energy dog and he's probably getting into trouble because he's not getting enough stimulation. Any advice and recommendations would be welcome.

PS. The one to the left is the dog.

 Check your PM's. I know someone who may be able to help you.

Oh Dan....I am SOOO with you.  I have recently inherited my son's Belgian Malinois because he's recently moved to a NO DOG zone apartment.  He brought Cain into my house, when he lived with me, at 6 weeks old (without my permission...............gotta love a teenager) saying it would bring new life into my older Black Lab.  I wanted to kill him, but being an animal lover.  We made due.  Cain lived in my house for about 4 years..............and they (he and his future wife) took him through obedience school.  But I will not say he passed with flying colors.  He's absolutely bright, but very energetic, and a barker.  My lab went through obedience with flying colors, and was a wonderful dog. Cain then moved with my son and his wife for about 2 years...........with little children in the house, and cats as well.  He was much better behaved there under my son's commands.  This dog does listen to my son and behaves better with him in control.  

 But now he is back with me.....................and the lil devil child returns.  He barks so much, in a protective sense, compared to my docile Black lab who passed in October at the age of 15.  I'm sure my neighbors are not too happy.  And he has returned to his bad habits of eating the cat food and often rooting through the trash.  I'm only supposed to have him for a year or so before my son reclalms him...............but I have my doubts. 

I'd like to put him through obedience school with me now...................but he is 6 years old.  Hope it would still work.  I HAVE to get more control of this dog if he is to stay  here with me.  Going NUTS.  How about you?
Jeanette

He is sooo soo smart (one of 6 that went to the DE State Police), but I must admit, I do not have the control of him I would like to have.  It scares me to take him to the dog park because he is so assertive in his approach of other dogs (I am embarrassed at the lack of my control of him), and yet this 70+ pound dog is so gentle with a 9 month old and 2 year old grandchild???  Still cussing my son for this gift!

Jeanette
jvw1227@comcast.net.

 You've inherited a working dog, not a pet.  I'd take the advice of what other people have said and give him to a schutzhund working home or a home like it.  Malinois are a high energy, high drive breed.  You need a crate, and you need time to work with him.  Mal's are not for a casual dog owner.  

Your dog NEEDS exercise and stimulation.  I don't know a thing about your condition, but if you can't get this dog out DAILY for jogs then you are doing the dog a disservice by keeping him.  I have a Husky Malinois mix.  I walk him at a fast pace where he is jogging for 2.5 miles every day, and then I still have to throw the ball for him.  They are an intelligent working breed.  VERY high energy.  Not getting exercised will force him into bad habits at home simply to keep himself from boredom.  To put it plainly, exercise and work his brain, or he goes insane.  

I saw an episode of the dog whisperer the other day where an elderly couple unwisely adopted a Beagle, another high energy working breed.  The man was physically unable to walk, and the woman overweight and out of shape.  He taught them and the dog what to do, which involved TWO JOGS per day.  Once with the man in his powered wheelchair, and the other with the woman on her adult size tricycle.  I don't know if either of those are options for your condition.  The dog was taught to jog along and was tied to the mode of transportation so neither owner actually had to hold the leash.

I understand you love the dog, but its torture to keep a dog of any type if you cannot provide what they need.  It shows more love to be strong and give him to a home where he will get that care.  If your condition prevents daily walks of any length then you are better suited to an apartment sized dog that can get enough exercise playing fetch in the living room.  Or a cat.

We have a K9 training facility in our area, as well as many trainers that work with agility and working dogs.  Maybe you can call around to these centers in your area and offer the dog for adoption and perhaps there is someone with a similar dog that would have no trouble adding another one to their family.  Networking is the best option, I feel, for finding the RIGHT home, not just A home, for a pet.

Zeus was in a shelter for a full year from 6 months of age.  He was there so long they thought they'd never find a home for him.  Even when I showed interest in the dog with obvious social problems they were careful in screening me until they found we had 1.25 fenced acres.  When they allowed me to take him no less than 5 volunteer dog walkers came out to the waiting room to find out who was finally adopting him and if I seemed a good fit.  One woman was especially concerned until I looked at Zeus and asked him if he'd mind being walked for 2 miles every day?  She said, "you're a WALKER!?! Perfect!  I know he found the right place now!"  

First of all, with all due respect to the guy who referred to the dog whisperer, please do not take any advice from Millan. Most of the mythods he uses are outdated, and a lot of them are cruel. They never work on long terms - you'll end up with a dog who behaves very well and nicely when you're around because it's scared of you, but it would never be reliable around anything when you're not around, let alone the uncessary cruelity and the fact that most of those methods have been proven not to work. I know this is off topic and would probably lead to a very big debate, but I've worked with dogs (2 of which were Malinois). Especially with Malinois, please use posetive methods, and get help from a professional trainer who only uses posetive methods. Use negative methods based on punishment with any Malinois, and  you'll end up with an agressive dog you can't trust around anything that has the ability to move.

As for your dog, it's a working dog. It really does need a job to do. Please don't associate it with German Shepherds, German Shepherds do well if they're provided with enough excercise and stimulation that gets the dog to believe its doing a job. Malinois need a lot more. If you're thinking of keeping this dog, you need a yard that isn't small (preferably a big one for it to patrol and/or guard). Most importantly, your dog needs A LOT of socialisation with anything you intend to expose it to, children, cats, puppies, dogs....etc. This needs to begin from a very early age. You have to understand that this dog was bred to work, and it wants to work. It's used in military service and the police, and an unexperienced dog owner won't necessarily be able to provide enough excercise and stimulation for it, I worked with the breed, and it's a lovely and a loyal breed, extremely intelligent, and I love it. Yet, I personally wouldn't own one myself (although I own a German Shepherd). I know you love the dog, but please get advice from a professional, and if you have the slightest doubt about your ability to provide all its needs, please do what's best for you and it.. Otherwise, you will end up with a dog that loves to work, but has no job to do, and that will most definitely lead to agression and a lot of obsessions. I'm not saying you can't necessarily handle the dog, I'm saying that he's not your ordinary dog who'll do well with the daily walk and a few games of 'fetch' please be fair to your dog and to yourself. Either put in the time and effort, or find it a good home that can provide all that, or simply look for a Malinois club that could take care of it.

Good luck.

First off I have my third Malinios puppy,my 1st lived to be 17 my 2nd passed at 8 from something unknown so I do have some experience with this breed. I also used to decoy ( guy in bitesuit ) in A.S.L.,  French Ring and personal protection training. You can keep the dog with some effort on your part. You should find your local French Ring club from them you will not only learn about your dog but probably find a trainer that understands the breed. Just because someone has a dog training business doesn't mean they know anything about training dogs in fact most that I have seen are completely clueless. As I said a French Ring club or a Shutzund or American Street Ring club would be your very best bet to get among the people you need to train you to train your dog. Plus it will educate you and save you a ton of money in dog training bills by bypassing all the incompetent trainers.