[BillM]

Hi! There is so much to say regarding your post that it would take a book. You’ve come to the right place. I have a 5 month old Mal pup as well, got him at 8 weeks. I started preparing for him like 3 months before I brought him home (while he was still in mama’s belly). One thing I did was join this site.

Just start at the “Start Here” lessons and go through each video. There are 6 sections, Sections 1,2,& 3 then the follow ups underneath (Socialization, Advance Obedience, Puppy Training).

As you start working through these with your pup, I’m sure you will have questions about what you are doing. That might be the better way for other members to deliver meaningful advice/information.

All the best with your pup! They are lifestyle changers, but very much worth it!

[Kinga]

Thank you for your advice! I’ve been following Robert’s videos step by step and hope that my little demon and I will grow together through this journey. Wishing you all the best!

[Cameron]

I thought I was ready for a mal after years of breeding and raising Dogos, but i wasn’t. They’re unique. Your schedule looks good to me. I’d advise that you get into some sport, something that gives both of you a job together. They need that purpose. They can be very handler sensitive but they do need you to set absolute boundaries. Young, they’re so cute you can’t imagine discipline or corrections, but you’ll pay dearly later if you don’t.

I’d also recommend doing as much environmental work as you can, and consider how and where. I think dog parks are a terrible idea (my opinion). If your dog has a bad interaction with another dog, just one, it can create fear and aggression towards dogs (this one I learned the hard way). Take them out to stores (Home Depot, etc). Let them interact with people as they’re young, but taper that off as they get older. Many people are intimidated by an adult mal rushing them, even if it is just for a greeting.

I’m also a big believer in the dominant dog ‘slip’ collar for mals. I don’t find the prongs nearly as beneficial in most cases (again, my opinion). I think ecollars can be useful, used correctly as a training tool. I don’t want to rely on the ecollar the dogs entire life, or lose control when they aren’t wearing it or the battery dies. I try to use it to teach, then wean off and proof without it. I can’t use an ecollar during trials so they have to work without them anyway.

Touch them during training. I’ve found physical manipulation during training helps them trust you. I’ve seen a number of police dogs bite their handlers at police certification and trial events because the dog wasn’t used to it (Often when the dog needs to be shouldered to go up a ladder). These situations are more intense than pet owners, but the principle remains. Touching the dog to manipulate them into a correct heel, or sit, etc desensitizes them and shows them you can be trusted. My youngest mal loves being touched by me or my son. I can carry her on my shoulder, lift her up, whatever, as can my son. My wife did no physical manipulation and the dog doesn’t trust her (she likes her, but love and trust aren’t the same thing).

Depending on your goals, you may consider this next part. I don’t let my mals self gratify. This means there are no toys left out. They get lots of time with tugs and toys, but only with me. They learn that all good things come from me and that they need my approval for these things. My youngest is just learning this during bite work: You want to bite the decoy, well the only way you get that is from me. It’s been a hard lesson for her, but she’s starting to realize that looking at her target won’t allow her to get it, but looking to me for a nod will. I think she knows this, but is struggling with internal conflict (but she’s getting it).

If you take one thing away from my post: Set boundaries and establish yourself as the one in charge.

[Simon]

Such a good post! All really sound advice.

Only addition I could make is don’t be afraid of starting to develop bite work through play from an early stage. But only on the proviso that it is in conjunction with the opposite “out” obedience. It is a very powerful bond maker as well as being an invaluable control.

, Best of luck to the OP with their new pup.

[Michael]

Great post..

[Kinga]

Thanks for your response! I’ve already started using some of your advice. I’ve noticed he loves to run—just run—so I believe he might end up being my running buddy one day. I’d also like to try some protection training with him. Right now, we’re having fun with biting and dragging games. I’m also working a lot on control touch. Oh and like you said, no self-gratification. Small steps, but progress is still progress!

[Katrin]

I have been able to train a few dogs. At the beginning, I always focused on the exercises. I had dogs that performed good and with a lot of motivation as soon as the training started.
But I had problems when the dogs had to wait until the training could start or until they were allowed to go tracking or untill they were allowed to fight with the helper.

Now I pay much more attention to calmness. It is not difficult to get working dogs to work. Showing them that they also need calmness and patience is, in my opinion, the biggest challenge.Simply stopping somewhere on a walk and doing nothing for a few minutes can be a challenge. The dog should wait without doing any exercise. No sit or down, just wait and don’t disturb.

[BillM]

THIS!!! ^^^

[Kinga]

You’re totally right! Keeping Loki calm outside the crate for even 5 minutes feels like the challenge of my life right now.

[Gene]

So I may be repeating some stuff here. Yes, start with the “Start Here”. Then 6 Months and Under, then the “Socialization”. Especially watch Debra & Murrow in the Socialization section. Also there is Ellen & Mellow, the first couple videos in the video section. There is another video with a puppy named Nemo. These videos are all about establishing a solid relationship with your puppy. There are NO corrections given in these videos. It is all about having a good time. All luring and shaping. I don’t think Robert started any serious training with corrections with Schmuley until 4 months. Since you have only had the puppy 2 weeks concentrate on look at me and follow me, “Engagement Training”. It is used for puppies and in dog shelters.

[Kinga]

Thanks! I’m already following Robert’s program step by step, and I’ll definitely check out your recommendation too!