Malinois - behavioral advice required - Page 1

I have a 5 month male malinois. He is an absolutely gem of a dog and my wife and I love him to bits.
I have been around dogs all my life (parents) but must say he is the most intelligent i have ever seen

I spend time everyday with him and have taught him basic obidence and little more i.e. sit, stand, down, paw, come, stay, side (lay on your side), roll over (work in progress here).

However, there are certain things about him that i am trying to undertsand and am hoping you will be able to advice me about

We have enrolled him in dog school and he is sadly doing so so there. The reason - he goes absolutely balistic - barking and wants to jump and play with all the dogs. Alone or at home - he is the most perfect dog - perfect obidience. Any advice here? I ry distracting him, using treats no effect.

Similiar on walks, he does perfect untill he sees a dog. Then he goes nuts.

I am socialising him extensively - and he is absolutely great with people and especially kids. In the school of course he is also being exposed to lots of dogs

Any one with some advice would be much appreciated

you wanted a mali, you got one, LOL
my advise is to first improve obedience without destraction, if that is good, make your obedience with another dog on some greater distance, make sure your dog knows he is there, but keep your dog in low drive and focussed on you, if this goes bad, make distance bigger, if good make distance smaller, and be sure to praise and reward your dog on good behaviour like an idiot, because you must be the best thing on earth for him
also a prong would help,at first,  not use it to correct him, but giving him unpleasant result if he wants to get away from you towards other dog

finally find good trainer who knows the breed, that will be better than general all breed puppyclass
good luck

Thanks Duke
Is this really common to Malis (home=good dog; Dog school=lunatic). The trainers there keeping saying 'hes still a puppy' 'its common beaviour' 'hes just excited'. I am just worried that if i dont work on it - will get worse

I am however considering a trainer with mali experience instead of the general dog school classes we are currently following.

I would go to a trainer with experience with malis.  Also, going on walks with other dogs is a good way to socialize.  Start with one other dog and add others later.

Mali trainer contacted and he will see my mali on saturday before deciding a course of action.
Took him to the vet yesterday for a routine check (6 months) - all good and he stands at 24kgs

Hello Jude, 

Could I ask a couple of questions? 

If I were to ask you to place your dog into a Down position in the middle of your Living Room, and you then sat down on a nearby sofa, how long will he remain laying there?

Will he leave a room when required, and remain in an adjoining room while you are in the other room, and the door between is wide open and no baby gate.

When you open your back door into the garden/yard - if you say "Wait", will he wait till a (quiet) slow count of 10 before going out the already opened door, after you say; "OK"?

When he is laying down either resting quietly or engrossed in something, and he is just 3 or 4 ft from you.  (You are sitting on the sofa) - Now you call him.  Does he immediately get up and come over to you to see what you want, or because you are very close nearby - just look to see what you want?

Hope you don't mind my asking.

Regards,
Vixen

Hi Vixen

Thanks for the message

If I were to ask you to place your dog into a Down position in the middle of your Living Room, and you then sat down on a nearby sofa, how long will he remain laying there?

- I would say at least 30 mins if no other distractions e.g. my wife walks in for e.g.

Will he leave a room when required, and remain in an adjoining room while you are in the other room, and the door between is wide open and no baby gate.

- this is a work in progress - most of the times he is ok.

When you open your back door into the garden/yard - if you say "Wait", will he wait till a (quiet) slow count of 10 before going out the already opened door, after you say; "OK"?

- Been working on this and he is pretty much there

When he is laying down either resting quietly or engrossed in something, and he is just 3 or 4 ft from you.  (You are sitting on the sofa) - Now you call him.  Does he immediately get up and come over to you to see what you want, or because you are very close nearby - just look to see what you want?

_ he comes when calls - in fact rather promptly


BW

Hello Jude,  Thank you for your response.  Now let me remind you this is being written to help you and not to annoy you.  Equally, because it is only written text, it is limiting, because I cannot verbally speak with you or meet you both.  Therefore, I will briefly outline a few points ......

Dogs know they are dogs - it is their attitude  of behaviour that we must determine, that is necessary!  (Manners and respect).

Distracting your dog is not indicating that you object to the behaviour displayed .....

You mentioned being; "perfect obedience at home" - this is a common thought, because they have learned our house rules and are nice dogs to live with - BUT that does not mean Obedient.  He will lay down for 30 minutes unless something else interesting happens.  (Did you not tell him to lay down?  Was that obedience only required under certain circumstances, or was it required irrespective of your wife walking into the room)?  Why not One Hour?  (Think about it, why not)?

Leaving a room when required and remaining there with the door between open - "a work in progress"  - means you are not making it clear that you require him to remain.  "most of the times" - mean that some of the time he overrides - and that is not acceptable!  Equally, how long are you going to take to "progress" - what happens if you suddenly NEED him to leave a room for safety purposes, will it be one of the moments that he is "ok" to do so, or when he is not ok and will not!!

The wait at the back door - How long have you been "working on this"?  A few days?  (Hopefully not longer)!

The recall indoors is a Well Done - However, have you also tried after you have called him, and he comes, either not initially responding verbally or physically, or even after saying "Well done" - then remaining casual, but not interactive with him - does he stay attentive to you?  Certainly not wander off!  (Let's say 1-2 minutes, then you tell him; "Away you go").  Remember if you were called by someone very important, and they then took a phone call or were making some notes, you would respectfully wait, not think "I don't know what they want so I'll go away"!

These were only four Scenarios - what might your answers be to others .....!
Can you see that unless he is appropriately responsive at home, you will have inappropriate response outside!

As I mentioned, written text is limiting, but does hopefully help you think about things....

Kind Regards,
Vixen

Many thanks Vixen

Lots to think about and chew on (for us both)

Your comments are much appreciated esp the scenarios