[Ed]

There is a lot of material on the site. What I found most helpful was to dive in and listen to dozens, perhaps over 100, chats, Q&As, etc. It kind of reshapes the way you think about it. On being the alpha… perhaps another perspective is being his/her rock, everything may be going to all sort of extremes and he/she knows that you are there as solid as can be. You provide him/her with leadership, protection, development, the skills to succeed in a human world, and the primary motivation for your actions are in his/her best interest. I had the same weird feeling about the first good 1-on-1 trainer we hired — he pitched a 5-session package, etc. Turns out he was what I needed at that time. I think most of the dog training that goes on are for the easy dogs. So perhaps you can ask for references where he/she has addressed similar issues with high drive dogs. It is awkward to call references up ourselves, but if these are the best he/she can come up with and they are not very happy to take your call, that in itself would be valuable info.

[Claudia]

Hi Ed,

Thank you the words of support. I haven’t been in this website for a whale so I’m just now catching up with the reply.

And you are right with all the stuff you said about watching videos and reading about what to expect and some of the myths. Structure and discipline

Thank you, Thank you!

[Gene]

You didn’t indicate how old he is. This site is filled with puppy stuff. There is an organization called the Malinois K9 Association which you might consider joining. They may be able to set you up with a reputable trainer. They also have info and training tools relating to the Mali. Stick with it. No crying. Wish you the best.

[Claudia]

Hi Takoda,

First of all let me thank you for your response.. I haven’t bee on this website for a while and I sorry I though I have include his age, But yes he is a one year old BM. I did stick with it. thank you for your advice. I want you to know I taking them very serious.

Thank you and the best to you too!

[Stacey]

I adopted a GSD/Mal mix when he was 7 months old. I went through exactly what you are going through now. My advice is similar to the first comment…..watch training videos, read about reactive dogs and training techniques, and try to find a good trainer you feel comfortable with. Get the proper tools. We eventually moved from a prong collar to an e-collar with lots of training. Train every day with your dog. It is going to take a lot of your time and resources, so get comfortable with that fact. Make the dog a priority.

We have had our dog for 9 months now, and he has blossomed. You have only had your dog for 2 weeks, that is not enough time to fully get to know a dog, IMO. The more time that goes by, the more you will trust each other. Unless he is dangerous and is biting people, don’t give up. It’s ok to feel this way, but turn your feelings into action. The resources are out there……Robert has so many helpful videos. And you can do private training sessions with him!

Don’t give up. We are all here to support you.🙂

[Claudia]

Hi Stacey,

Thank you for taking the time to write a comment.. And yes I reading and watching videos.

I just stared to read about schutzhund.. Because I did heard Robert I think and one of his videos to find a trainer that does schutzhund IPO. I did interview a handful of trainers with different styles and no luck(long story) .

And yes I agree about using all the tools available and with time too my dog and I we are doing. much better since not perfect but better not that I expect perfection.. but a brighter future.

Than you Stacey!

[Riggan]

Claudia, First of all, welcome to the site! You will find lots of very supportive people here, many with a wealth of knowledge about dogs and dog training. Second, you have only had your dog 2 weeks, so you should expect it to be a bit of a rocky start. You don’t say what your dog’s background is, but it is quite possible he has already been through quite a lot in his 1 year of life. He needs time to adjust and get used to you just as you need time to get used to him. The rule of thumb is that a rescue takes about 3 months to settle into a new home, and then will continue to show enormous change for the first year. So don’t give up on him or you yet!

Lastly, you don’t say what types of issues you are having so we can only offer very general suggestions. The top thing that you need to build with your new dog is trust. I love the comment about being his “rock.” That is certainly a good start! Patience and consistency are key. Setting reasonable expectations is also important. Remember that in some way, your dog has already been traumatized and in some form abandoned by those who should have provided for him (even if it was for a good reason – the dog doesn’t understand any of that, and just knows his world has changed drastically).

Robert has some excellent resources related to rescue dogs and bringing them into the home. Here are a few:

How to Rescue a Shelter Dog – Podcast Episode 67 – Robert Cabral

SHELTER DOG RESCUE Dog Q&A LIVE Understanding What is Best for Rescue Dogs – YouTube

He also has several good articles about bringing a shelter dog home on the Bound Angels website, but for some reason none of the links are working right now. (#Alin – can you help us get access to that material? I don’t see the articles I am thinking about on the Resources page. Thanks!)

Hang in there for a while, Claudia. Let us know more specifically what the issues you are encountering are. And don’t worry about your English. You did great!

Riggan

[Riggan]

Oops – I didn’t tag Alin correctly. Trying again!

Robert also has several good articles about bringing a shelter dog home on the Bound Angels website, but for some reason none of the links are working right now. (@alin – can you help us get access to that material? I don’t see the articles I am thinking about on the Resources page. Thanks!)

[Alin]

I don’t see an issue with the links. Were they returning a 404 error?

[Gene]

I get “Hmmm… can’t find page,” has been this way for awhile

[Aniko]

Hi Claudia,

Throughout my life I have given home to about 10 rescue dogs. You say your dog is loving. Go with that. Your dog experienced a lot of change in its life and probably lost hope of finding permanency.

In my experience these dogs are loving and easy to handle but it takes them about 2 months to look at you with love in their eyes. You only had your dog for a short time so give it time and be kind to him. Don’t worry about being the alpha, give him structure, train him and the rest will come as a result. He will love you and consider you as number 1 in his life.

[melvin]

Hi Claudia,

If you are committed to putting your emotions aside and you have ended up with a super high drive dog, I think you can try the following:

– For training: Join a working dog club with experienced trainers who will know how to handle a high drive dog.

– For home: STRUCTURE & MANAGEMENT, 100% of the time. Buy a crate, an expen, and have a clear plan as to potty time / training / food. No free/unplanned time until you get this under controle. Your home is your home, if you find the peace of mind and clarity to think and execute in your home then you might find a path 🙂

Good lucK!

[Tommy]

Hi Claudia

You say you ar a small person, I don’t think you should put too much into this.

I think it is more about how you think of your self.

I am also pretty small 5,5 (165cm) newer been a problem with dogs.

a woman I know is a bit smaller than you, she and her husband have about 45 high drive sleddogs and they absolutely respect her.

The only problem with being a small sized person in regards to dog’s is if you think it is.

It will affect the way you act and dog’s sense this.

I don’t first and foremost see myself as Tommy the small person, I focus more on Tommy the pack leader.

Just convince yourself you are the boss of the entaier world and try to think that ofcourse he is going to listen to you

I hope this gives you one less thing to worry about

[Claudia]

Hi Tommy,

Thank you so much for your response, I haven’t being here in a very long time.

I’m having more clarity of thinking and the relationship with my dog is much better right now.

I have decided to do as much of the training myself.. Got three schutzhund books from the library; Just to build a good the foundation for him and I.

Specially for me to know what I’m doing

And then go from there.

Ones again thank you kindly for your response.

[Claudia]

Hello Riggan,

Thank you very much for the welcoming; I look forward to be an active

member of the group.

I appreciate the support and words of wisdom

I’m happy to say that everything is going much, much better between my dog and I.

You and the other person were spot on by saying that its only “being two weeks” and that the rule of thump is three months.

I have come to resize as well that my dog and my other animals (two cats) depend on me and that I should be their rock I totally agree.

And the issues that I failed to mention on top of reactivity, lunging, and aggression towards people and dogs basically anything that moves. He would nibble at me so much I had so many bruises on my ankles, legs, arms that in the middle of summer I had to be wearing long sleeves and pants.

He would play so rough that I would show up to work with black eyes at some point.. Had to be ensuring my coworkers I wasn’t been beat up at home.

I was massive relief when I found out that the nibbling was something normal for dogs and that playing rough is also a normal part of the development process.

And please don’t even get me started with the trainer situation.. So I was aware that getting BMS was a huge responsibility. Robert Cabral and I think Maligator Mom have said “Don’t get Malinois but If you get one hire a professional trainer”.

I was going to write word by word my horrible experience with this trainer that offer me a free consultation but I realize I was going back to relived bad memories..

Bottom line the so call dog trainers are willing to say whatever it takes and use (scare tactics) to prey on the owners feelings. And if that’s not all when I ask him what where my options or the dog options for that matter because if place him back in a shelter. Other people, like me are going to find themselves dealing with the same stuff so then the dog would go from home to home till he get euthanize and here is where the trainer drop the bomb and said” he/it the dog was not my burden to carry”

The cherry on top another trainer told me he hasn’t seeing a dog like that in “eight years”

I do not know if this reply is public or not but please if you see anyone in this chat asking for advice on how to choose a dog trainer.. tell them to be aware of this type of so call dog trainers.

So anyway that’s water under the bridge.. I’m doing some reading on schutzhund not the sport but to learn to train my dog and some obedience.

Thank you and have a good rest of your week !