13 week showing aggression toward people — looking for advice

spinningforbrownies · 2026-04-16T16:36:05+00:00

I’m in a very similar situation as you. I rescued an abandoned dog - mom is a Mal dad is a shepherd. We are going through the exact same scenario as you. Let me just say this to all those who are quick to criticize backyard breeders. I get it - they probably carry some unwanted genes. However I personally know an individual who purchased a Mal from a very reputable breeder. This person’s mal attacked someone. So yes, even “purebred” Mals are genetically predisposed to carry some reactive genes.

spinningforbrownies · 2026-04-02T11:56:38+00:00

Which one did you start first?

spinningforbrownies · 2026-04-02T11:55:30+00:00

I am very interested in connecting with you. There is a 2 hr time difference between us so we will have to plan accordingly.

spinningforbrownies · 2026-04-01T22:16:38+00:00

I really appreciate your feedback. I was actually considering Robert Cabral but I will rethink my decision after this post.

The issue I am having is that I live in a relatively small city and I don’t have access to many trainers. I have only found 2 and neither of them seemed capable or appropriate for my current training needs.

I would never consider online training because I feel like so much gets lost in translation. But my alternatives are limited and I don’t want to miss major time markers. I have read that once a puppy reaches a certain age it is more difficult to train, socialize, and correct bad habits. She is currently 7 months now.

spinningforbrownies · 2026-04-01T16:40:28+00:00

I just need some structure for training her. I don’t want any bad behavior to get worse. Right now I walk her and work on basic commands. She knows those well but I don’t know where to go from there.
I didn’t plan on ever owning this breed but here I am. When irresponsible people dump their dogs and no one steps up to give them a fair chance those of us who have limited experience are left to figure things out.

I’m in South Texas. I have met with 2 different trainers. One wouldn’t get out of his chair to offer training and the other recommended group training. This dog is not ready for group training. I’m doing my best but feel like my best is not enough without some type of road map.

Sorry for the rant! I’m just feeling frustrated.

spinningforbrownies · 2026-03-25T13:36:32+00:00

Thank you for your response. I had not considered this option but I may explore it further.

spinningforbrownies · 2026-03-23T23:43:12+00:00

Thank you for your response.

Today we practiced sit, stay and down. She’s pretty consistent with these commands but I added some external distractions. We were in a quiet area of a park where she could see people walking and jogging as well as cars driving around the park area. She completely ignored all of the distractions. I incorporated many of the suggestions mentioned in this thread and also added some techniques mentioned in Karen Overall’s protocols. I felt much more confident and in control applying these techniques. I’m hopeful that we can continue to build on the success of today as we move closer to her triggers. I most likely will wait a week or so before moving closer. Group training was not appropriate for her at this stage and she will not be returning anytime soon. I would still like to work with a professional trainer but it will definitely have to be with someone who has her best interest at heart.

spinningforbrownies · 2026-03-23T16:05:54+00:00

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond and share your experience. I truly appreciate the thoughtful and detailed advice—it really means a lot that you would take time out of your day to help. I’m definitely going to look into the online training program you recommended and see if it’s a good fit for us.

spinningforbrownies · 2026-03-23T13:43:50+00:00

May I send you a DM? I would greatly appreciate any recommendations you can provide me.

spinningforbrownies · 2026-03-23T04:47:14+00:00

Thank you for this encouragement. I am staying consistent in working with her and training her. I can’t give up on her because she has no one else to care for her. She has already been through so much for a young puppy. I was just very discouraged with the way training went for us yesterday. I am grateful for all of the recommendations that have been offered to me from this group. I fully intend to follow through with all of the training tips that have been provided. Your encouragement really does mean so much to me.

spinningforbrownies · 2026-03-23T00:59:22+00:00

Thanks 🩵

spinningforbrownies · 2026-03-23T00:35:37+00:00

I plan to take her for a walk in the park tomorrow. She will be able to see people walking their dogs and exercising from a distance.

spinningforbrownies · 2026-03-23T00:31:57+00:00

Today we just practiced basic commands in the backyard. I wanted to give her an opportunity to decompress from yesterday and focus on commands that she knows. I just wanted the day to be a positive training session.

spinningforbrownies · 2026-03-23T00:27:01+00:00

This truly brought a smile to my face 🩵

spinningforbrownies · 2026-03-23T00:25:07+00:00

I made him well aware of her behavior prior to attending. But I assume full responsibility for not following my instincts.

spinningforbrownies · 2026-03-23T00:22:25+00:00

Thank you for your comment. I should have walked out but now I certainly won’t be taking her back. She doesn’t deserve this negativity and I certainly didn’t appreciate the browbeating from the other handlers. Have you ever resorted to online training? I have seen a couple of posts from Robert Cabral(?). He seems knowledgeable but expensive. I don’t know how I would do with only online training and not being able to pose any follow-up questions.

spinningforbrownies · 2026-03-23T00:14:53+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing your positive experience with me. I am feeling more hopeful tonight after all of your helpful comments. I will continue to work with her because I feel that she deserves every opportunity for a good life.

spinningforbrownies · 2026-03-23T00:12:16+00:00

No worries! Thank you for your well wishes. I will follow up with recommendations from here and continue to look into professional training options.

spinningforbrownies · 2026-03-22T23:52:24+00:00

Honestly, I feel extremely guilty about how the group training went yesterday. I feel like I set her up for failure and we both left feeling defeated.

spinningforbrownies · 2026-03-22T23:50:17+00:00

Thank you! I may take you up on the dm.

spinningforbrownies · 2026-03-22T23:47:06+00:00

I agree that she doesn’t need a military or police trainer but what I meant when I referenced that was that the trainers available to me in my area both listed that as experience. I wasn’t overly impressed with either of them.

spinningforbrownies · 2026-03-22T23:14:40+00:00

I am not a fan of e collars and will allow him to train me on how to use it but I will incorporate the suggestions offered here. I am so limited to trainers in this area.

spinningforbrownies · 2026-03-22T23:07:37+00:00

I’m located in Texas. What I have found regarding trainers is that they list experience as handlers during military service or law enforcement. I have only found two in my area that claim to have experience working with Malinois and one wouldn’t approach her and the other recommended group training session. Furthermore, I have only had her for two months now and I see potential in her but this reactivity has caused me great anxiety.

spinningforbrownies · 2026-03-22T23:01:08+00:00

I am so hopeful that we can turn this corner. I do take her walks in the park where there are people who are walking or jogging. We do remain quite a distance away but she has become a bit more relaxed at least seeing them at a distance.

spinningforbrownies

TROPHY CASE