Blog

Malinois training blog

25 guides, written for the breed and free to read.

Training basics

All 6 training basics guides
Training basicsWhy Are Belgian Malinois So Smart? Trainability at HomeA Belgian Malinois puppy usually looks trained weeks before they behave trained.Training basicsCrate Calm and Alone-Time Skills for a Malinois Who Bonds HardA Belgian Malinois may relax in a latched crate while you remain beside them, yet worry as soon as you leave the room.Training basicsHousetraining a Malinois Puppy With a Reward ScheduleFast learning can make a Belgian Malinois puppy look reliable before the route is clear, but speed does not tell them which door, surface or moment the…Training basicsBelgian Malinois Working Dog Training for Pet OwnersPicture a police-dog video: a Malinois sails over a barrier and answers every cue, and an hour later the pet on your rug is shredding a cushion and ignoring…Training basicsLoose-Leash Walking for a Malinois Who Circles and LungesLoose-leash walking improves when you respond before a Belgian Malinois reaches the end of the leash.Training basicsTeaching a Belgian Malinois to Turn Back Mid-ChaseOrdinary recall advice says to repeat the cue until the response is automatic, and that is where it stops serving a Belgian Malinois.

Puppy training

All 2 puppy training guides
Puppy trainingA Malinois Training Timeline From Puppy to Age TwoAt 8 weeks, a Belgian Malinois puppy has reached a birthday, not completed a set of life skills.Puppy trainingWhy Do Malinois Puppies Bite So Much? Teach a Soft MouthWhy does a Malinois puppy bite so much, and when will it stop? The usual reply is that all puppies do it and grow out of it.

Behavior

All 13 behavior guides
BehaviorBelgian Malinois Herding the Kids? Give Their Instinct a JobThe breed standard describes a herding dog who is usually in motion and capable of working livestock all day, and the American standard adds a marked tendency…BehaviorAre Belgian Malinois Considered an Aggressive Breed?Some Belgian Malinois trot to the door with soft ears and greet a visitor with a wiggle and a sniff.BehaviorKeeping Belgian Malinois Ball and Toy Play Fun, Not FranticLeaving the ball out and throwing it until the dog is wild is a common way for play to tip into frenzy.BehaviorBelgian Malinois: Frustration barkingHow do you make a Belgian Malinois stop barking? The usual answers are to ignore it or to say quiet, and both fall short when the barking comes from…BehaviorWhy Is My Malinois Wrecking the House? Try Real WorkThe parent club warns that without intensive, long-term training, Malinois create their own activities, and those activities can be destructive.BehaviorMalinois Quirks: Pacing, Circling and Never Switching OffSome Belgian Malinois wear a path along the fence line, spin in tight circles while dinner is poured and track every movement outside the window.BehaviorCats, Chickens, Little Dogs: Training a Prey-Driven MalinoisPrey drive in a Belgian Malinois can show up early, so start calm, rewarded practice well before the dog is anywhere near a cat, a flock of hens, or a small…BehaviorMalinois and Kids: Supervision Rules That Keep Everyone SafeThe mistake to avoid is assuming a family-raised Belgian Malinois will sort things out with the kids alone.BehaviorFamily Pet or Full-Time Job? Living With a MalinoisCan a Malinois be a regular family pet? The usual answer is yes, with enough exercise, and it sounds reasonable until you watch a Belgian Malinois come back…BehaviorBelgian Malinois Tug Games With Rules for a Strong GripYes, tug is one of the best outlets for a Belgian Malinois, as long as the game has rules: it starts on your cue, the dog grips the toy and nothing else, and…BehaviorA Steady Sit for a Belgian Malinois When Wheels Go ByA calm evening walk, and then a bike whirs up from behind. Your Belgian Malinois freezes, stares at the spinning wheels, and lunges so hard you nearly lose…BehaviorHome Alone Practice for a Belgian Malinois Who Shadows YouOne Belgian Malinois naps on a mat in the kitchen while their owner cooks with the door shut.BehaviorOne Alert Bark, Then Quiet: Belgian Malinois Barking MannersAlert barking is easier to shape before it has been rehearsed many times, because every long round of barking makes the next one more likely.

Exercise and jobs

All 2 exercise and jobs guides
Exercise and jobsHow High Can a Belgian Malinois Jump? Teaching Wall MannersMany Belgian Malinois can get over ordinary fencing when conditions line up.Exercise and jobsBelgian Malinois Exercise Needs: Is a Daily Walk Enough?A Belgian Malinois does not need one magic number of exercise minutes.

Care

All 2 care guides
CareDo Malinois Shed a Lot? Make Brushing a Training HabitStart brushing the week your Belgian Malinois puppy comes home, not the month the hair starts landing on your couch.CareHow to Make Nail Trims and Body Checks Easy for a Belgian MalinoisThe usual advice is to handle your dog's feet often, trim nails in short sessions and run your hands over their body each week.