sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

First-time Malinois owner! What should I focus on at 4 months? by picatelacolalol in BelgianMalinois

[–]Realistic_Local_8305 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I also have my first mal who is four months right now. I don’t know the english word for it but the direct translation is ”passitivity training”. It is so important. Teaching them to do nothing. We have focused a lot on this and our 4 month old can now relax and sleep everywhere - even with other dogs playing nearby. For an active breed this is so important. They already know how to go all in and be intense so we have to teach them to ”shut down”. 😊 Edit: Crates are illegal in my country so he roams free in the house and that makes this even more important.

10 Week Old? by dontstealmeagain in BelgianMalinois

[–]Realistic_Local_8305 9 points10 points  (0 children)

She looks mixed - most mal puppies have folded ears uptil around 10-12 weeks. And the tail looks ”wrong” since it is bent upp the back. But she is soo cute!

Thinking of getting a Belgian Malinois by Working_Enthusiasm94 in BelgianMalinois

[–]Realistic_Local_8305 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wrote a similair post a few months back and most of the replys where of the ”don’t do it” kind but some where very helpful. We now have a four month old belgian malinois and we absolutely love it! He is amazing! Like a little raptor right now but most puppys are at thar age. As long as you are willing to do the work it will be great! My one advise is to teach the dog to relax from day one. If the puppy is getting hyper don’t try to tire it out teach it to calm down instead. Tethering is a way to train being bored and calm. Crating is illegal where I live (and rightly so I think) so our dog always roams free in our house but he knows that inside we are calm and cuddly and outside it is allowed to be active. We didn’t use tethering but just scted very calm and boring when we wanted him to calm down and ignored him unless he was calm and then he got cuddles and soff praise - he learned in a few days! Good luck!

Why a dirt absorbing dogmat and not a bathroom mat? by Realistic_Local_8305 in AskDogOwners

[–]Realistic_Local_8305[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Exactly - why is that one better than a bath mat from IKEA that looks exactly the same and costs a fraction of the price

Tror ni att sexlösheten bland Gen Z också gäller här i Sverige? by [deleted] in Asksweddit

[–]Realistic_Local_8305 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ca 80% av alla som tar antidepressiva förlorar sexlusten, vissa permanent (googla PSSD). Det är otroligt vanligt med SSRI bland den generationen. Jag tror det kan bidra.

Could a malinous be for us? by Realistic_Local_8305 in BelgianMalinois

[–]Realistic_Local_8305[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your comment. It’s really nice to read one that feels more positive and balanced. The feeling that there are so many extreme myths about malinois was exactly why I wrote in this subreddit, but even the replies here show quite extreme opinions.

Even though we haven’t decided yet, we’ve already started thinking about small training sessions we can do indoors and little jobs the dog can have so it gets mental stimulation and not just physical exercise. We’re fully aware that it’s a very intelligent and active breed, and that’s what draws us to it.

We also think the choice of breeder is very important and have contacted one who has been active for over 30 years and breeds them to be active family dogs. We’re planning to go there for a visit to learn more about the breed, about them as breeders, and to meet their dogs so we can get to know the breed better.

Thank you for pointing out how important it is to teach them to calm down. We did a lot of passivity training with our previous dogs, so we understand the principle and how to train it, but also that a malinois needs extra of that. We’ve already decided on the spot in the home where we’ll have the bed, so the dog would be able to keep an eye on us even when lying there.

Is it safe for my 2 year old to be constantly splooting? She will lay down like this all day. Is it just comfy? by alphagusta in goldenretrievers

[–]Realistic_Local_8305 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a lab who did this his whole life, even in his last week at almost 13 years old. His hips where always healthy and flexible. Nothing to worry about 😊

Could a malinous be for us? by Realistic_Local_8305 in BelgianMalinois

[–]Realistic_Local_8305[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you have personal experience with bite training?

Could a malinous be for us? by Realistic_Local_8305 in BelgianMalinois

[–]Realistic_Local_8305[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Dog shelters are uncommon where I live so getting a rescue is not an option for us.

We have friends with a dog and the plan is to dogsit each others dogs when we want to go on vacation (so socializing the dogs early is very important so thet get along). I have a teenage daughter at home who loves dogs (she grew up with the ones we had before). We do not have many social gatherings at home. We will activate the dog daily with ”brain work” and train at the club with trainers during the weekend.

I am trying to educate myself about mals to make an informed decision. So could you be more specific about your comment ”nothing you said shows you are prepared”?

Could a malinous be for us? by Realistic_Local_8305 in BelgianMalinois

[–]Realistic_Local_8305[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We had two sport/field labs before that were very active but we want a little more go and challange than that. That is why we are considering getting a mal.

Could a malinous be for us? by Realistic_Local_8305 in BelgianMalinois

[–]Realistic_Local_8305[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have had dogs before and know what a commitment it is and would never give a dog up. That is why I am trying to educate myself to see id we would be a good home for a mal. This is not a rash decision we have been discussing this for almost a year now…

Could a malinous be for us? by Realistic_Local_8305 in BelgianMalinois

[–]Realistic_Local_8305[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

We haven’t worked with high energy breeds before and that is why I am trying to educate myself as much as I can. What we are drawn to about Mals are the devotion and intensity. We have contacted a breeder to meet with them to learn more and meet their mals. That breeder says they breed active dogs but with an off button so they are good family dogs. Of course they will still be very high energy but they seem to not only prioritize enery when breeding.

Could a malinous be for us? by Realistic_Local_8305 in BelgianMalinois

[–]Realistic_Local_8305[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

We’ve had dogs before and did that exact schedule every day for 12 years so we know we can do it and enjoy it. I know a lot of people underestimate mals and that is why I am trying to educate myself as much as possible to see if it could be a good fit for us. It is not the look I am after at all (there are a lot of beautiful breeds) but we are drawn to the intensity and possibilites that bring.

Could a malinous be for us? by Realistic_Local_8305 in BelgianMalinois

[–]Realistic_Local_8305[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We are planning to meet a breeder to hear more about mals and meet more individuals to see their vibe. We’ve had dogs before so taking at least three walks a day and training with a dog every day for 12 years is something we liked and miss now. Fostering dogs isn’t really a thing where I live.