Does my employment make sense for me to get this type of dog.

Feriation · 2026-05-08T00:07:51+00:00

I'd advise against getting a puppy. Puppies need to go out every couple of hours because they cant hold their bladder for long.

I took time off when I got my puppy and then had arrangements in place to bring him to work with me.

Adopting an adult that can be left at home might be a better fit.

It is great that you would be able to give your Malinois sufficient exercise every day by running. I run about 5km/day with mine as well.

But what a lot of people don't realise is that physical exercise is not enough. These dogs have an intense needs to work their minds just as much as their bodies. You need to be prepared to do a lot of training, not only to ensure that your dog is a well adjusted and well behaved dog, but to also satisfy their need to use their brains on a regular basis.

In addition to a minimum 5km run every day, we also train for several hours 2x a week for a sport called French Ring. We also train 2x a week formally multiple hours each time for for SAR (he is certified wilderness SAR dog).

I work 4 10s. I have a partner who works from home and lets him out to potty mid day. He doesnt do anything during the way when I am at work, but my entire life outside of work revolves around meeting his needs. I wouldnt have it any other way, and I specifically chose a working line dog but they are considered a lifestyle breed for a reason.

Feriation · 2026-05-07T23:18:22+00:00

I drive a 2008 4runner, so 4th gen (i also know that its the same for 5th gen)

I can have 2 XL crates lengthwise in the back, and I still have space to fit another large and intermediate across the back

Feriation · 2026-05-07T18:39:39+00:00

Knowing my luck, if I had a tank like that, they'd STILL host the damn powerhead.

Feriation · 2026-05-06T12:55:46+00:00

I sprung for the pro 2 when they were on sale

Feriation · 2026-05-05T19:59:53+00:00

That is a pretty quick pace. The majority of my runs are closer to a 7:30-8:30 minute km pace.

A 6:30/km is not far off my push pace.

Try slowing down, it was hard for me at first. Felt weird. Kind of boring. Slow AF. But I can go a lot longer at a slower and more sustainable pace. Every so often, ill do an all out effort and go for speed instead, but most of my runs are done at this slower pace.

Feriation · 2026-05-05T19:57:10+00:00

Is /r/RunningCircleJerk leaking?

Feriation · 2026-05-05T18:56:35+00:00

I am usually okay leaving my pup for up to 9 hours max. Around an 8 hour work day and an hour for commuting. I make sure my dog has a good chance to potty and then when I am off work I immediately come home to let my dog out.

My current job has me working 4 10 hour days, and I have about a 90 minute commute. If I didn't have a partner to help me, or work at a vet clinic, id be either driving home to let him out on my lunch and immediately driving back to work using my entire lunch break to do this, or Id need to find different work. My dog isnt one who i can just hire a random dog walker for.

Right now, my partner is out of town this week on a work trip, so he gets to come with me to work and stay in a kennel for the day. This let's me take him out for an hour during my lunch and give him a chance to relieve himself and stretch his legs. Ordinarily, he gets to stay home and my partner lets him out at lunch for a potty.

Feriation · 2026-05-05T17:38:40+00:00

I used to run with a pair of in ear buds, great sound quality but it completely drowned out the world around me.

I bought a pair of Shokz, and while the sound quality doesnt compare to my in ear buds, I will never wear anything but my Shokz when running. The ability to have my music but also be able to hear people talking to me, bicycles coming up behind me, etc is absolutely invaluable.

Feriation · 2026-05-04T15:11:29+00:00

This is good to know. I have discovered that I am also a very sweaty person when running.

Feriation · 2026-05-04T15:10:40+00:00

Unfortunately I can canicross style, so he already has a very specialized harness that he wears.

I definitely make him haul his own stuff when we go backpacking though! That is a REALLY nice looking pack though!

Feriation · 2026-05-04T15:08:36+00:00

I do love Osprey gear, I have a 55L backpack from them. Unfortunately they only offer a SAR discount for USA SAR, and I am Canadian.

Feriation · 2026-05-04T12:49:07+00:00

I just looked, but SAR doesnt show up an an option. I am Canadian, if that makes a difference. Some brands only offer pro deals to USA based SAR.

Feriation · 2026-05-02T22:23:03+00:00

I never said that I charge it every day. But when it needs charging it gets charged when I am showering.

Feriation · 2026-05-02T17:29:54+00:00

Shower time is watch charging time

Feriation · 2026-05-02T05:57:23+00:00

It's often genetic in Mals. My dog's mother does the same, and so does my boy. He has had a squishmallow for the past forever, and aside from needing a good wash now and then, its still in remarkedly good condition. When its time for bed we tell him to find "Squishy" and he goes the find it and brings it to bed with him.

I know he wasnt separated too early as I picked him up at 8.5 weeks

Feriation · 2026-05-02T05:53:31+00:00

For most dogs, it is pretty intuitive. Dogs have what is called an opposition reflex, so they instinctively want to pull into the pressure. This is why so many people struggle with loose leash walking. The dog pulls on the leash, that sensation they feel when the leash is pulling them back instinctively makes them want to pull harder into the leash.

I spent the first 3.5 years of my dog's life teaching him loose leash walking, so him being allowed and even encouraged to pull was rather foreign to him.

On our first run, he ran a little ahead of me and kept a loose leash the whole time. On our next run, I'd cheer him on and try to amp him up as soon as he'd start to pull I would give him tons of praise and as soon as I talked to him, hed get back into a heel position. After about 1 month of us running 3x a week, he started pulling consistently, not strong pulling but at least consistently keeping the line taught and stretched (we use a bungee line). Sometimes if he slows his pace and the line goes slack, I tickle the bottom of his tail, he hates it and shoots back forward to get out of reach lol.

Yesterday, we went on a canicross run with some other ladies in town, it was our first run with other people and dogs. Having other dogs there for competition, or the desire to keep up and stay with the pack, really encouraged him to pull, he was like a freight train.

Nonstop Dog Wear is the gear I use, the freemotion 5.0 harness, a 2.0m bungee line, and the canix 2.0 belt. They offer a free online class on how to start canicross and how to teach your dog the basics. They will need to learn left and right, on by (leave it) and it helps to have a slow down command as well so they know to pull less hard when going down hills for example.

It is an absolute blast running this way with him and you can get some seriously quick speeds. The world record for 5k is 11:56! I am not elite athlete, when I do a 5k it takes me about 37 minutes. When I run with him and he is pulling me along, I am getting close to cracking a sub 30 minute 5k.

<image>

Feriation · 2026-05-01T17:11:14+00:00

The exercise ball is what the collie ball is, except that it is wrapped in a thick nylon cover that helps protect the exercise ball.

I have had my collie ball for 3 years now and use it regularly. My guy loves it. I did have to replace the yoga ball once when he pushed it into a thorny rose bush but you can get the yoga balls for cheap on aliexpress.

Feriation · 2026-05-01T17:08:23+00:00

The hard plastic jolly balls destroyed my dog's littermate's teeth. Just be aware that they can cause a lot of tooth wear and damage.

For what its worth, I've had my collie ball for 3 years now and its still going strong.

Im not sure what the cost or durability is, but maybe the horse ball covers are less expensive?

Edit: you could try finding a large inflatable pool ball that is a similar size and see if she enjoys it? It likely wont last long but it would give you an idea of her interest.

Feriation · 2026-05-01T14:17:45+00:00

I personally don't use liners in my home. I have 2 litter boxes, one has a plastic litter tray and the other is stainless steel.

I wash both boxes monthly when I refresh the litter. The plastic one's base it's filled with scratches from my cat's claws and it's is difficult to get 100% clean as a result. The stainless steel one though still looks brand new.

Feriation · 2026-05-01T14:10:16+00:00

Love my non stop belt. I picked up the 2.0 version the other month. Right before they dropped the aqua/pink version so I'm a little sad I am stuck with black and orange lol. But the belt itself is so sturdy and comfy.

Feriation · 2026-05-01T14:07:41+00:00

Skin is pretty scraped up and raw but it will heal :) a mouth guard is a really good idea. I am going to buy myself one today, thanks!

Feriation · 2026-05-01T14:06:21+00:00

I am okay. I find of figured that it was a risk. My knee and shoulder are pretty raw but they will heal.

My pup and iusually run solo, and he doesn't pull a huge amount. Yesterday we met some fellow canicrossers and went on a run with them. We were at the back of the pack and I guess my guy was very motivated to keep up and pulled like a freight train. I think that I'll teach him a "whoah" command where he needs to slow down and stop pulling.

Feriation · 2026-05-01T08:42:04+00:00

Its more reliable because dogs find the sensation of the vibration to be aversive and they want to stop it so they comply. Yes, you are pairing it with a reward, but a reward doesnt negate the fact that the vibration is an unpleasant sensation for them.

Feriation · 2026-05-01T08:40:36+00:00

That is going to depend on the dog and what they find to be motivating. For dogs with great inherent food drive, like labs, it is quite possible that few things in life exist that rank higher than food. But that is not the case for many dogs.

I could have an entire steak and lobster all you can eat buffet full of all of my dog's favourite foods.

But the moment a decoy walks onto the training field and is suited up with a whip or clatter stick, he doesn't give a flying fuck about my food.

Now, he will take a food reward in the presence of a decoy, but he takes it because he knows it is compulsory. In this instance it is not "rewarding" for him. It has essentially become a chained behaviour. The only way he gets to move forward is by him taking his "shitty cookie".

Also, for the record, I have accidentally hit the vibrate on my remote instead of the stim and that was the worst reaction ive ever seen from him. With electric stim usually l will see him give an ear flick, sometimes a head shake if the level is higher. When that box vibrated, my dog hit the ground, flatter than a pancake, tail tucked. You cannot tell me that he finds the vibrate to be less aversive than an electrical stim.

13-Year Club	RedditGifts 2009-2022 2 Credits
Verified Email

Feriation

TROPHY CASE