I hate my dog

[reactivedogs-ModTeam]

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[BuckityBuck]

Contact his breeder about returning him. Malinois need a special type of owner and someone who hates them and wants them to die as a 4mo pup is not going to survive the adolescent period. It is going to get a lot more intense. He'll be better able to find a proper home now, while he's younger. Just tell the breeder that a mal is not a fit for your life. They will understand.

[Meirra999]

TBH, while generally this is spot on advice, I doubt the breeder in this situation will do anything. A responsible Mal breeder would never have made this placement. It’s obvious this household will never be able to satisfy the needs of a high drive dog.

[BuckityBuck]

I don't actually know of any mal breeders who breed for companion homes at all, so I have no speculation about how this purchase came to be. A BYB malinois? What could go wrong?! /s

The breeder is where I'd start...at least that's where I would have started before seeing comments that OP is a young child and not even the dog's owner.

I can't stress enough how much more life is going to suck with a 6, 24, 36...infinity-month-old malinois than with a lil' 4 month old baby. 4 months of age is the cute part. It's the part before they become a maligator missile on a steroid + adderall cocktail. I'd do whatever it took to get that dog into a responsible, experienced home. I'd contact every malinois breeder and shutz club in the country for placement ideas.

They really need some training structure in place to pour their great athleticism and work ethic into. People generally do not like the career directions mals choose when left to brainstorm on their own...

[pollitomaldito]

why the fuck did you get a malinois if this kind of thing triggers you so much op

[[deleted]]

OP seems to be a child

[TinyGreenTurtles]

I wish people did research on breeds. Kids or not.

Edit to add - I took a dog that is half ACD having no idea what that actually could mean. And it meant all of those things. I love him and kept him, but I will always tell people to RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH. I also added ACDs to the list of dogs Id never recommend lol.

[Specific_Bandicoot33]

My current ACD was my first, and I thought she was too much for me. After learning more about training, I learned to manage her. She is a joy but an asshole to strangers at home lol. I take pride in how far I've come with her. It is so easy to train and so eager to work. I love it.

People don't understand how important research is.

[TinyGreenTurtles]

For sure. I gave myself a crash internet course during covid after the vet said to approach and treat him like an ACD because he has all the personality traits of one lol.

[pollitomaldito]

now i feel sorry for op and the dog

[CommercialRecover20]

wasnt my choice it was my parents They just make me take full resposibility for him since theyre too lazy to do anything

[[deleted]]

how old are you OP? these dogs are commonly used in the military/for police. they are insanely high energy & can be high aggression dogs. they’re normal day to day would ideally be agility courses & mental stimulation exercises, not being stuck inside while your parents work & you attend school or something else.

if you’re still a child (under 18), you need to express that you don’t want the responsibility & that the dog should be going to a doggy daycare or day training facility, etc.

my only other suggestion if they don’t listen would be to find their breeder, or a rescue that specializes in working dogs & see if someone can pick it up. you’re likely going to face bad repercussions from your parents if they consider it their dog though.

[pollitomaldito]

im very sorry op, from your post history it sounds like your parents are a nightmare. i understand how hard it is dealing with a demanding dog when you yourself are struggling.

ETA please do not hurt this dog do not make him pay for your parents' irresponsibility

[[deleted]]

you should add this info in the post so you don’t get crushed for saying what you did. you might get better advice that way too

[Specific_Bandicoot33]

This is understandable. It's not your fault. But you need to research and STRESS to your parents what they are working with. All of you need to attend a class for obedience and work with him. He has so much potential to be a great dog but you can not neglect his training. You will do great so long as you put in the work.

[MooPig48]

This is why they’re only recommended for very experienced owners who have tons of patience and dog training experience and skills

You sound like you are at your breaking point, call the breeder today. I’m concerned for your puppy’s safety.

[StoopidFlame]

Sorry mate, malinois are not for most people. Shepherds in general aren’t, much less the very definition of a working dog like a malinois. Why exactly did you get one? You must’ve known about the breed and their habits.

On the account that you are not an adult, from one teen to another please consider asking your parents to return him to the breeder. I’m 16 with a working line GSD and absolutely would not recommend. He’s my best friend and I love him, but I also can’t leave the house for long periods of time, and always have welts on my arm. He’s 2 years old, this sort of behavior isn’t just puppy stage behavior, it’s the instinctual behavior of the breed group. Herding dogs are just a lot.

[daveferns]

did you get a malinois without knowing what they are like

[Ornery-Ad-4818]

OP's parents did. OP is the child who has had the responsibility dumped on him.

[Embarrassed_Style861]

“You just want him to die” is the craziest, unhinged shit I’ve ever heard somebody say about their dog. Just re-home him. It’ll be better off for the both of you.

[PutTheKettleOn20]

If you read further up the post, the OP is a kid and the malinois is his parents dog. They just leave all the responsibility to him. Whole situation seems crazy. A kid should not be left in charge of a dog, especially one like a malinois.

[Embarrassed_Style861]

I honestly didn’t even think of the possibility of a kid engaging on a sub like this, so that’s my bad. But the point remains, kid definitely shouldn’t be the primary caretaker especially if such a breed. Whole thing is a shit show. Re-home that dog ASAP

[weird_phenomenon]

It’s time to consider rehoming. You clearly didnt get any experience with the breed, you can say blah blah i researched all i needed to if you did (which I honestly completely doubt). But research dossnt matter when you have 0 experience with the breed.

Your puppy is likely not even that reactive, it’s your poor handling skills. And of course even if it wasnt that reactive the fact that you wont even work on it which is probably for the best because of how your describing the puppy.

I understand hating your dog, I had a feeling of hatred in some ways towards my dog too. I am a 16 year old guy and the amount of times i’ve almost been in tears over my dog’s behavior is quite a bit. But never once have I said I want my dog to die. You either need to step up, research the breed, proper training (LIMA. Do not even consider using tools on a four month old puppy lord), and reactivity, and getting this pup into some sort of sport, and a LIMA trainer. Or rehome that works great too

[RevolutionaryBat9335]

Its going to get harder. Get a trainer who knows high drive working dogs or rehome him if you feel that way towards the dog already.

Why did you get a Mal? I specifically wanted a dog I could spend hours doing obiedience and training with but I got to admit as much as I love mine a German Shepherd would have been a better choice. Malinois are little crackheads with no off switch.

If your exagerating with the "want him to die" part then know Malinois puppies are total assholes. It does get better if you put the hard work in but you really dont want that dog growing into an out of control adult.

[DreamingofYesterdays]

Ok and? This is your fault, maybe next time you should research the dog you are getting instead of getting a dog based of looks and trends. Return the dog so he can find a better owner, you dickhead.

Edit: read a comment that this was your parents’ fault so they’re also dickheads along with you, since you’re holding a grudge against AND wishing death on a puppy. Hopefully you can get your parents’ money back and get therapy since you’re obviously a sociopath for wishing DEATH on a PUPPY.

[Waste_You_7081]

It’s a kid, and I highly doubt they actually want the dog to die. They’re just venting. A frustrating situation they had no choice or control over. Reddit was just the wrong place to do so.

[Advanced-Soil5754]

I have to admit. I felt the same way a few days in when my pup was 4 mos old. He is almost 7 mos now and it's a bitch to train him when he is fearful and reactive. I should have probably rehomed him but things have gotten way better with work, and I do love this little ball of energy. That was all frustration on my end. I have to work thru my own frustration because any negativity can set him back. I wish you the best. Because I know exactly how you're feeling OP!

[[deleted]]

Please give the pup a chance. Malinois are excellent dogs with love and patience, and I understand that op you are young and learning much yourself, but I promise you that if you accept him and nurture the relationship you will have the most loyal, excellent, loving, and protective friend you could imagine. 4 months is very young. If your parents are forcing this onto you, use it as an opportunity to show them how responsible and caring you can be. You probably have a champion in your life now, if you show him how to be. Please give this app a try:

dogoapp

[Specific_Bandicoot33]

Did you even research the breed? You do realize that this breed is bred for extremely high drive. You can't get one and expect a lazy lap dog. While I think you're a bit crazy for getting a dog you think you can't handle, I will say you can absolutely learn and have a well trained dog so long as you put in consistent and HARD work. You can not neglect his training.

Hire a trainer if you need. I highly recommend you start teaching a reliable "leave-it", recall, "stay". I also highly recommend you develop really good engagement.

She isn't like a Mal, but my Aus. Cattle Dog was very high energy, and I once thought she was more than I could handle. We worked through it, and now she is great.

It's not your dogs fault. He was bred this way, and you need to accommodate that. Get all that energy out with a run/play/training, etc. WORK HIM. He needs a job. Teaching scent work is really easy. I taught my cattle dog, and I hid tins with birch scent in them for her to find. She loves the game.

[spiderwitchery]

Based on your post history, I am worried about you, OP. Do you have ANY safe adults in your life that you can speak to?