New Dog

[madcow41]

here's my 1.5 year old Belgian Malinois. He's a retired Military working dog HHickman (wounded warrior, notice his amputated tail). Now he's my little buddy.

[MacAttack]

Those are awesome and beautiful dogs!

[Becky]

What a cutie

[Birdguy]

Good looking dog. You should see how he does at the dock dog events. looks to be built for it though he may lack the rudder beings he is missing his tail  .

[AspenBud]

here's my 1.5 year old Belgian Malinois. He's a retired Military working dog HHickman (wounded warrior, notice his amputated tail). Now he's my little buddy.

How is he around the house and people in general? I like that breed, but they seem like they wouldn't be for everyone. I remember seeing one at a dog park, a drug dog washout, and the only dogs that could keep up with it were my Pointers. An old couple had adopted the dog and I really felt bad for them since they were in way over their heads saying things like "we hope he calms down as he settles in."

[madcow41]

How is he around the house and people in general? I like that breed, but they seem like they wouldn't be for everyone. I remember seeing one at a dog park, a drug dog washout, and the only dogs that could keep up with it were my Pointers. An old couple had adopted the dog and I really felt bad for them since they were in way over their heads saying things like "we hope he calms down as he settles in."
[/quote]

Mals wont calm down... thats the nature of the breed. For HHickman he lacked the drive early on and when tested he failed however he was put in a different program to see how he does later on, so in this other program he sliced his tail open bad and had to have it amputated. that ultimatly sealed his fate and thats how I got him. Now he has drive for days and doesnt appear like it but he is very much a lap dog. You wouldnt know it but he gets his fair share of carrots, sweet potatoes and fish oil also egg yolks.

His interaction with people in general is situation dependant, he is leash aggression at times but only until he knows the person etc. He's my running buddy and good to have around at night. the only thing is he is gunshy at times and also can't swim on top of the water... All in all he picks up new things quick with good impression I think it took me 6 mins to teach him to lay down for his food.

Does anyone know how I can teach him to swim? I would love to do some water stuff with him.

[KFhunter]

I hope you got some experience w dogs having a breed like that.

been around many of them, not sure I'd have one myself as I can't be with it 24/7

[Alchase]

He is a beautiful dog!
I had to teach our Border collie to swim. Just keep taking him to the water on a long lead, and have either you or another dog (especially if they like to water retrieve) and let them work into it.

[AspenBud]

I hope you got some experience w dogs having a breed like that.

been around many of them, not sure I'd have one myself as I can't be with it 24/7

 I work with a guy who was an MP and a civilian cop for a while. As he describes it, German Shepard's have some self control and an off switch. The Malinois's he saw scared him, particularly the bite dogs. They do everything all out and with almost too much glee and vigor.

[madcow41]

I hope you got some experience w dogs having a breed like that.

been around many of them, not sure I'd have one myself as I can't be with it 24/7

we do just fine...

[Maligator]

Mals are a great breed. I will admit they are not for everyone because they do have a higher drive than most...however they are VERY intelligent and as long as they have an outlet for that  energy you will be fine. I use floppy frisbees which I throw from the top of a hill or a chuck it ball thrower or take him to the sound and let him swim his heart out.

My boy have free roam of the place when I'm at work and I have no issues. I have spent a fair amount of time training with the breed and firmly believe they just need to be exercised. As far as teaching him to swim...if he has any prey drive at all just take a ball down to the water and toss it in...not to far...or take him with another dog that already likes to swim...don't just throw him in...I see to many people do that and wonder why their dogs only wade and won't swim.

Best of luck to you, congrats on a great new companion and last but not least...my hats off to you for rescuing the dog 

[akirkland]

I have had some experience with the Special Forces 1st group mals and Dutch Shepherds. Amazing dogs to say the least. When their dogs go on attack, the handlers literally need to choke the dogs out to release the bite. I have seen 90 pound mals pull 250 pound men out of truck windows. The funny thing is at home, they are couch potatoes. They make fantastic family members.

[madcow41]

I have had some experience with the Special Forces 1st group mals and Dutch Shepherds. Amazing dogs to say the least. When their dogs go on attack, the handlers literally need to choke the dogs out to release the bite. I have seen 90 pound mals pull 250 pound men out of truck windows. The funny thing is at home, they are couch potatoes. They make fantastic family members.

Well you dont want to give a command to get them to release as it could cause them to anticipate the command and some other things, I wouldnt say they make great family pets. mine does but others might not. If you have kids or other animals due to their prey drive. they definitly need their attention though and if you dont know what you are doing you can ruin a good dog

[madcow41]

I have had some experience with the Special Forces 1st group mals and Dutch Shepherds. Amazing dogs to say the least. When their dogs go on attack, the handlers literally need to choke the dogs out to release the bite. I have seen 90 pound mals pull 250 pound men out of truck windows. The funny thing is at home, they are couch potatoes. They make fantastic family members.

Well you dont want to give a command to get them to release as it could cause them to anticipate the command and some other things, I wouldnt say they make great family pets. mine does but others might not. If you have kids or other animals due to their prey drive. they definitly need their attention though and if you dont know what you are doing you can ruin a good dog