A well socialized Malinois does well in a home with other animals. Regardless of their breed, some dogs do better than others in homes with other animals based on their individual temperament. As a whole, Belgian Malinois are happy in homes with other animals.
Belgian Malinois are very intelligent dogs who want to please their owners. They are very easy to train, in comparison to other breeds, but they need their trainer to be firm and consistent. [3] X Expert Source Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBCCanine Behavior Consultant Expert Interview. 25 March 2022. You must be prepared to spend a significant amount of time, at least an hour a day, exercising your dog. This breed is a working dog and they do have a lot of energy. [4] X Expert Source Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBCCanine Behavior Consultant Expert Interview. 25 March 2022. If they do not have opportunities to expend energy, such as through play or exercise, they can become destructive and act out.
They are very loving with children but due to their larger size, they can unintentionally knock children over when playing. They also have strong herding instincts and may try to herd small children if not corrected. [5] X Research source Small children should be watched closely around pets since kids have a tendency to pull on dog’s fur, ears, and tails, which can hurt a dog.
Introduce your dog to your neighbors, friends, and family. Use a friendly tone of voice and be excited to see the new person. This lets the Malinois know that you do not perceive these new people as a threat. Once they realize they are not a threat, let the dog approach the new person. [9] X Expert Source Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBCCanine Behavior Consultant Expert Interview. 25 March 2022. Give your friend a few treats to share with the dog so they can form positive associations with meeting new people.
If your friends and family have dogs, set up a play date so the two dogs can meet. Let the dogs approach each other and become acquainted. Demonstrate that you do not perceive the other dog as a threat to your safety by petting it and speaking in a kind and reassuring tone.
Small treats can be very helpful in training exercises, like in teaching obedience commands. Reward your Belgian Malinois immediately after they complete the task you have instructed them so they associate your praise with the action. [11] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Positive reinforcement, through treats or praise, can also help condition your dog to respond favorably to new situations.
Basic commands like sit, stay, and come are all good first commands to begin with. Teach your Malinois to sit by showing them a treat. When the dog looks up at the treat, move the treat close to the dog’s nose, then slowly back over the dog’s head. When the dog tries to follow the treat with its eyes and nose, it will usually sit down. When this happens, give the dog the treat and say “Sit. " Stay and come can be taught in tandem. Have the dog sit in front of you while you are standing. Take a few steps backwards as you say, “stay. ” If the dog gets up to follow you, instruct them to sit again and repeat the process. When the dog has learned to stay, you can begin to use the “come” command to instruct them to follow you as you back away.
Belgian Malinois are very strong and can pull while on a leash. If your dog begins to pull while you are walking them on a leash, you can stand still and wait until they reach the end of the leash and are forced to walk back to you. You can also use treats to encourage dogs to stay close to your side and to match your gait. [13] X Research source Do not use retractable leashes. They are often not strong enough to be used with larger dogs, and they reinforce bad leash habits like walking far ahead or behind you. They can also negatively impact the socialization work that you’ve already done. If you retract the leash anytime another dog or person comes close to you, you are signaling to your Malinois that you perceive that person or dog to be a threat.
Most Belgian Malinois will enjoy training since it gives them an opportunity to spend time with you and provides mental stimulation. [15] X Expert Source Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBCCanine Behavior Consultant Expert Interview. 25 March 2022. Once your dog is fully trained, you should continue to frequently practice the commands that they have learned so they retain them over time.
There are classes for puppies and adult dogs, and most will allow you to sit in on the classes so you learn proper techniques. You can also enroll in an obedience class to teach your Malinois more advanced commands.
Daily walks are not enough exercise for a Belgian Malinois unless you are an avid runner who jogs several miles each and every day. Belgian Malinois do best when they have large fenced in yards to play in. Many Malinois enjoy retrieval games, participating in agility trials, running, hiking, biking, and spending time with their owners outdoors. [16] X Research source In addition to physical exercise, they also need mental exercise. They are very intelligent and may enjoy participating in Schutzhund, advanced obedience training, agility, herding, and tracking exercises. [17] X Research source
Feed your Belgian Malinois on a regular schedule and always have clean water available for them to drink. [18] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source Healthy dog foods should have a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Typically, working dogs need more protein than the average house pet so look for a dog food that is around 25 to 30% protein. Work with your veterinarian to determine the amount of food your dog needs based on their health and activity levels.
Belgian Malinois have short and weatherproof fur. Their coat will shed out twice a year as the dog’s body prepares for winter and summer weather. [19] X Research source They require routine brushing to keep the fur clean and to protect it from matting. During shedding season, they need to be brushed every day.
Their nails should be trimmed regularly to protect them from breaking and becoming over grown. Dog’s nails grow continuously like humans and need to be trimmed every month.
You may notice that the dog is scratching or biting at a certain spot on their body, which can be an indication that there is an issue there. If your dog has allergies, your veterinarian may recommend using an over the counter antihistamine.
Brush their teeth two or three times during the week. This will help to protect their teeth and maintain good oral health. Condition the dog to enjoy brushing their teeth by selecting a dog toothpaste in a flavor that they enjoy and reward them with praise and a small treat after brushing.
Like most larger dog breeds, they are at risk of hip dysplasia. Responsible breeders will genetically test for hip dysplasia before breeding puppies, but you may not know a dog’s genetic background if it is adopted. Veterinarians are able to X-ray the dog’s hips to check for the condition. Some Belgian Malinois are at risk of hereditary juvenile cataracts. Cataracts can develop as the dog gets older and can often be removed through surgery. There is some evidence to suggest that Belgian Malinois may be slightly more susceptible to epilepsy, though extensive research has not been completed. If your dog begins to show signs of epilepsy, take them to the veterinarian immediately. [22] X Research source
Belgian Malinois also require routine vaccinations for diseases like rabies. They also need medical protection from fleas, ticks, and heartworm.
Spaying or neutering your pet also helps to control the companion animal population. There are millions of dogs that are waiting in shelters for homes and sterilization helps to reduce the animal population.
It is a very small chip that is usually implanted in the scruff of the dog’s neck or over their shoulder blades where they cannot reach it.
