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Belgian Malinois Experience?
Hello!
A client of mine, who is a wonderful pet parent, just started living with their partner- who just happens to have a young Belgian Malinois. I met the dog once and briefly. He seemed pretty well adjusted and friendly. That said, he is lacking appropriate exercise and enrichment. They do a lot for him, but have not found the right combination of exercise/enrichment/training for his energy needs. I will likely not be training this dog, but I’d like to offer some sound advice and recommendations for appropriate outlets for this dog. I have no experience with this breed, so I’m asking this group for advice and assistance. Thank you! ❤️
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9 Replies
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I don’t have much experience with the breed and so I look forward to other people’s input. But I’d guess they’d value things like hikes with lots of sniffing/exploration, tug with strict rules, treasure hunts, food puzzles, etc. Maybe bikejoring (with correct harness) …?
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Hi!
Do you know if this pup is specifically from a working line or pet line?
Although I am not super experienced with the breed, I have observed significant differences between the two lines and, even region of where they come from.
Those that I know have them are doing dock diving, frisbee, A LOT of scent work and “working” type jobs (even the pet line), seeking games, agility, rally and lots of food puzzles.
I know some one who has a 2 year old male (not neutered) and is quite content spending 8 hours a day in his room (he shares a house with 2 other people). He does get him out once home and he does scent work, frisbee, drives and hikes with him. The dog is non stop in an “under- controlled”, good, fun way. He is a Mal that could/would convince me to get one IF I did not know there could be an entire different side of some!
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I don’t know that answer, unfortunately. I can say that he is living with two other dogs, one of which I have been helping with fear aggression toward people, and he does fairly well in the home with both of them. He is high energy, even after daily guided play in the yard and loooong hikes. They owners have installed decorative window film to keep him from jumping around and being intense when someone’s outside and he can’t be. Sounds like he’s a little “poorly mannered” for the unprepared and always on the go. I’m still learning about him. One suggestion my trainer friend gave was to start the day working or enriching i.e. meals should be puzzles…work that brain all the ti.e
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These are intense dogs, as you know! I’ll just point out what Kelsey Weber said about this breed group (Herding) in her SEEDS talk and drop a few screenshots of the PDF she shared.
Malinois need to know when they are off-duty, for sure, and they need all the mental enrichment possible. I also like the FDM “Karl Hack” – giving the puppy a large stuffed animal to bite and play with, in lieu of other social partners who may tire of the constant biting.
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Nice! Thank you!
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I’d recommend a highly structured and carefully watched playgroup. An hour of play is exhausting and socialization is good for any adolescent dog. Sometimes I’ll have a couple of client dogs who are under exercised and I’ll offer a small supervised playgroup. That way I can match the dogs that I invite to the group.
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This sounds like a great outlet, @Cyn . What parameters do you use currently to match the dogs you have in playgroups? I know lots of trainers who balk at the idea of play groups for any group other than puppies. I don’t offer any of these services, only private lessons, so I thought I’d ask.
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I have a couple of Malanois mixes, all under age 5 in lessons currently. They are well-mannered, but like to be seen and acknowledged for their attributes. lol, take that any way you like! They are a fun, exuberant and tenacious sort and quite fearless and athletic. I love to see them learn tricks and patterns quickly. One is my personal trainer’s dog, and she is a distance runner and run coach as well. They like to run 4-9 miles together, daily. I’ve had her discuss with her vet about “Is a dog running too much?” But all is well with joints and backs and paws. He also enjoys doggie daycare 2-3 times a week and swimming!
The other two mixes I have were instant brothers, lifelong pals, when the family just adopted this younger one 5 months ago. Both try to outdo the other, good-naturedly. We are still working on manners at times, but they love to learn! Last lesson, we were working on Heeling and finished with tricks like weaving figure 8 between 2 chairs.
Hope this helps! The sky’s the limit, I think, with this Malanois bunch.
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Wonderful!
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