please help me decide - Page 1

hi! i have been researching malinois for some time now. i am an extememly active person. but i am actually nervous- second guessing my choice,thinking i would not be able to give a mal all he needs as far as this crazy energy i keep reading about. im so confused i really dont know what to do. i want an active dog,but then when its time to relax at home id like him to be ok with that too.....or say a rainy day where there is no activity,will i have a maniac on my hands? is this a legit concern or am i just feeling nervous....thanks!!!!

I have a 8 month old Mali.  He is from Ot Vitosha working lines so he has a high drive.  The key is to work the dog.  I meet with a schutzhund club every Saturday and then once a week meet with a trainer.  Then on my own I probably get out 3 other times, depending on weather, but I live in NJ and recently weather has kept me from doing too much training.  You can see when he needs to work to get some energy out and you need to do something or believe me, I've heard horror stories about them finding other ways to get the energy out.  If you are working on ball drive then it's simple play some fetch in the house with him and a dog with a good drive will expell a lot of energy just playing fetch.  Good luck with your decision, this is my first Malinois and I'll keep with the breed they are great dogs, very smart, extremely loyal, and the energy level is uncompairable.

try and search for a Mal with a moderate drive level, not all are over the top,,,most of us wish of course, maybe one with not so crazy drive levels would be more what you are looking for,,,in alot of cases, top sport breeders or Top  working kennels sell these dogs very cheap, or even give them away too approved homes,  not all are super stars, but might be just what you are looking for,,hope this helps.

Lexicoco,

Where are you located ?   I have 2 possiblities for you.  

As, some of the others have said ,  a lower drive Mal is what you would want.  

I have an extremely easy going 15 month old male ,  gorgeous pigment,  Very Socially stable , can be around other dogs .  He is crate trained , very clean boy.    I am looking to place him, because he doesn't  have the drive I need for Narc, or Sport.    But,  He would be fantastic for a first time dog regardless of breed. 

Then, I have an 11 week old female that I would place in a pet home. 

Please email me and I can answer any questions you have.    

pisanarab@iquest.net

Check out www.caninetrainigconcepts.com/delasflores  The pups are due next week and I expect stable temperaments.

Okay, lot's of folks do talk about the high energy of Mals, but you will have to divide the group up into those that have them as working dogs and those who have them as pets.  A working dog is all about work and everytime they see a handler, they want out and want action - it is their life style...out means attention and to them, play.

A Mal for a pet is awesome.  They are people (owner) dogs and want to be with you.  They can be content being on the couch thinking they are a lap dog or be happy playing catch - they just want to be with you.  You want to crash?  No problem, they will be happy to sleep with you and will even try to get so close they will steal your pillow.

If you want a Mal for a pet, go see a pup where the parents are available to be seen.  Watch the temperament of the parents and if they are okay with you throwing them a ball or petting them (all well adjusted and socialized Mals should be) then you have a good pic. 

With a new Mal pup, you need to introduce them to as much stimulus (new environment) as possible when they are young.  Have different people pet or hold them, have them around children, have them around other animals, have them around new sights, sounds, and hussle and bussle.  The more you get them out, the more they become one of the best dogs you will ever own.

A pup raised as a working dog should have a lot of the same stimulus but the handler will usually limit the interaction with new people as they want to maintain the focus of the dog at the task at hand - ie., when you get out, it is to work, not play and visit.

I have two Mals as pets and live in a set of Townhouses.  I know of people who have Mals in apartments.  You just have to pick the right pups and turn up the TLC with them, they will respond great and will be happy doing whatever you are doing as long as they are with you.

Just don't leave them to entertain themselves all the time because a bored Mal will remind you that they are bored.  Also a Mal raised with cats are okay with them...but the "chase instinct" with small animals that run from them is takes work.  I call re-training sessions with Mals as "come to Jesus meetings."  You don't have to be heavy handed as they don't respond to it well, but you do have to be firm, and show displeasure in your voice, they want to please you so bad that they will try to suck up and make things right.    

 

Oh, I have three 8 week old females and one male.  You can see my ad here and I am located near Houston, TX

Hi, new here, just signed in. I am from Croatia, EU, a malinois owner. I will try to keep it short.

So,  Aron is my first dog ever, a 2 yrs, 3 months old malinois. I can write for hours about the problems i had training him but now he is a very obidient dog, house pet, and like its used to be named "couch potatoe". What I can tell you from my own experience is that it all depends on how much patience you have and how much time you have to provide for educate your dog. It really took me a lot, but surely it is worthed now. Yes he has a strong prey drive, he is hyperactive, he is a guard dog when needed. But he is a wonderfull pet as well, he spends most of the time inside the house, never made any damage. So, yes if you would like a real dog friend and a pet, get a malinois, but try to get one that has a moderate drive (moderate for a malinois is a relative term...