is she normal?..... - Page 1

I have a female malinois 7 months old from my cousin...She just keep on running and jumping around in my fenced yard the whole time that she is awake,....no stopping.  I thought malinois are energetic but needs stimulation from the owner to move around.  Is that a normal characterestic of a malinois or she is just a hyperactive dog?

What kind of exercise is she getting?

First let me say that the Malinois is my favorite breed and I have been involved with it since 1980. Having said that, I also am well aware that the breed suffers from nerve issues and thoe nerve issues need expression, hence what you see the dog doing. No, it does not need you to stimulate it, its a Malinois...one of my best friend's dogs, a bitch, would run/pace the yard the entire time it was outside and there was no stopping it...again, nerve issues. What lines is your dog out of, that may help answer this question better.

she is not trained but does simple sit, stand, and in where she will run back to her house.  My cousin gave her to me because I mentioned once that I want a pet dog to play around with.  One more thing is I can not pick up some small things because she will just spring towards me acting like she will bite my hand, and I can not even point at something because she will go crazy right away and will most of the time jump up my hands with a snapping bite sound.  And she is mad on everything that moves, insects, birds, small animals, and all even  planes that passes by is a target.  I really want to teach her to fetch, but am scared that she will bite my hand when I pick up something to throw away.  She also drag me several meters in the neck-high grasses when she chase a stray cat, and she always have that grumbling angry sound.

Give this dog to someone who will be able to deal with it, someone who understands Malinois. If this dog is sound mentally, its too much of a dog for you, and its only 7 months old...
If the dog does indeed have a nerve issue, its too much dog for you again to handle. I am not sure where you are from, but, there may be someone around you that knows the breed. Malinois suck as pets, especially in the wrong hands and this is not the dog for you to play around with...you also sound very young!

Hired Dog..........I'm not really sure what line is she because this is my first experience with  this kind of dog,  I will ask her (my cousin).  When she said that she will give me a dog, what I have in mind is a cuddly and gentle dog. 

           
         
            
            

maybe it is not a nerve issue because she doesn't act scared.  In fact she is very playful, but very out of control.  She will crazily run around people in circle and acts very manicly happy, but it won't take long before she starts biting our heels.  Maybe you are right, I'm too young for this dog.  Will find somebody to train her to behave, if not I'll just give her away.  Thanks

hired dog,,here she is.  Can we tell what line is she out of.....


              

No, of course I cannot tell what lines the dog is out of...if I were pressed to make an educated guess, I would say there is French predigree in there and maybe some Belgian, but, without a pedigree, no one could tell you for sure.
Malinois are THE epitome of all working dogs, they are not bred to be cuddly or cute, I have preached this for 33 years, but, I appreciate the fact that you seem to be smart and will either look for a trainer or place this dog in a proper home. If you do find a pedigree, I would love to see it, take care!

Jemi,

From what you have described so far, we do not have enough info to say she has a nerve issue.  The snapping teeth is normal.  The growling sound while she is playing or chasing birds/leaves or playing tug is normal .  Nipping your heels is normal.  Bumping and banging into you is normal.  Jumping at the ball or stick in your hand (because she is so excited she can't wait) is normal.  If she growls at people, then that may or may not be a nerve issue.  Nerve is relative to who you are talking to.  Most pet people think that malinois display nervy behavior.  The working dog people have different descriptions for reactive behavior, with the worst being "nervy".  Chasing small animals is normal.  So far she sounds like a typical malinois puppy. Make sure you get her out and about - expose her to different places, people, sounds, noises, animals, dogs, etc.  We call this socialization.  If you do not socialize her enough, you could create a nervy temperament. 

Since you seem to want a gentle and cuddly dog, then I suggest that find a new home for her before she gets too old.  Find someone who likes this type of dog.  Find someone who can play ball with her and take her running or biking.  It would be the best thing for her and for you.  Right now you sound exasperated, and even a little scared, of what sounds like a normal malinois puppy.  Also, she may be a little too big for you.

Annamarie