Belgian Malinois training

Belgian Malinois training for a dog that never stops.

The Malinois is one of the most driven dogs in the world. Our reward-based guides give that energy real work, then teach the off switch most owners are missing.

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Fig. 1Belgian Malinois
A calm Belgian Malinois standing
OriginMalines, Belgium
Height22 to 26 in
Weight40 to 80 lb
AKC groupHerding
Coat colorsFawn with black maskMahoganyRedGray sable
Temperament

Understand your Malinois

A Malinois has more drive than almost any other dog and needs somewhere to put it. Real work first, then rewards for settling, is the whole plan.

Extreme driveGive work before asking for calm.
Lightning fast learnerTrain daily, in short bursts.
Sensitive to motionBuild calm around fast movement.
Bonded to one personTeach time apart early.
By age

How old is your Malinois?

Big guardian breeds change a lot as they grow. Pick an age to see what to work on now.

8 to 16 weeks

Puppy foundations

Name games, tug with rules and lots of sleep.

A mahogany Belgian Malinois illustration for biting and gripping.Biting and grippingA fawn with black mask Belgian Malinois illustration for crate and calm time.Crate and calm timeA mahogany Belgian Malinois illustration for handling and grooming.Handling and grooming
4 to 9 months

Drive switches on

Chasing and obsession appear. Give work, then rest.

A red Belgian Malinois illustration for chasing cars and bikes.Chasing cars and bikesA gray sable Belgian Malinois illustration for ball and toy obsession.Ball and toy obsessionA gray sable Belgian Malinois illustration for destructive chewing.Destructive chewing
9 to 24 months

The wild teenager

Drive peaks. Keep recall and calm distance strong.

A fawn with black mask Belgian Malinois illustration for the teenage months.The teenage monthsA red Belgian Malinois illustration for recall under drive.Recall under driveA mahogany Belgian Malinois illustration for leash reactivity.Leash reactivity
2 years on

The working partner

A focused adult with a reliable off switch.

A fawn with black mask Belgian Malinois illustration for never switching off.Never switching offA gray sable Belgian Malinois illustration for wary of strangers.Wary of strangersA red Belgian Malinois illustration for time alone.Time alone
Training topics

14 Malinois training topics

The problems Malinois owners ask about most, each with first steps you can try today.

A fawn with black mask Belgian Malinois illustration for never switching off.Never switching offA mahogany Belgian Malinois illustration for biting and gripping.Biting and grippingA red Belgian Malinois illustration for chasing cars and bikes.Chasing cars and bikesA gray sable Belgian Malinois illustration for ball and toy obsession.Ball and toy obsessionA fawn with black mask Belgian Malinois illustration for chasing lights and shadows.Chasing lights and shadowsA mahogany Belgian Malinois illustration for leash reactivity.Leash reactivityA red Belgian Malinois illustration for recall under drive.Recall under driveA gray sable Belgian Malinois illustration for wary of strangers.Wary of strangersA fawn with black mask Belgian Malinois illustration for crate and calm time.Crate and calm timeA mahogany Belgian Malinois illustration for handling and grooming.Handling and groomingA red Belgian Malinois illustration for time alone.Time aloneA gray sable Belgian Malinois illustration for destructive chewing.Destructive chewingA fawn with black mask Belgian Malinois illustration for the teenage months.The teenage monthsA mahogany Belgian Malinois illustration for barking and alerting.Barking and alerting
Progress

Everyday goals

Where many young Malinois start, and where steady practice gets you.

Before

  • Never settles
  • Frantic for the ball
  • Lunges at bikes
  • Ignores recall

After

  • Rests on a mat
  • Plays, then lets go
  • Watches bikes pass
  • Comes back mid chase
Next step

Start with one skill.

Give the drive a job today, then reward the first quiet minute afterward.

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