[Daft Punk @PollutionPunk]

It’s fairly common that some working dogs can dislike and growl and snap if someone hovers over their heads. I have had a similar experience to yours with Daft Punk who was rescued from abuse at 2 years of age.

It seems many Shepards/protection dogs don’t like it when someone -not thought of as a family leader- put their head on top of the dog’s head or above their head. Maybe he anticipated the hovering as aggressive. Had your malinois been standing up and not on the couch it may have been less likely to happen? I corrected the behaviour with disappointment and separation in the kitchen. I was advised to neuter him by another trainer. I have not done that yet. Still hoping for little punks.

[Daft Punk @PollutionPunk]

I got Daft Punk from a rescue shelter. He was abused. Left on a 3 meter lead driven into the ground. He was 23 months old when rescued.

I was approved to adopt him when he was 25 months old in February 2020. It is not too late. I started watching Robert and Goofy in April 2020. Robert’s experience and ability to share and teach have been a lifesaver for Daft Punk and me. Many trainers here were unfamiliar with the Belgian Malinois.

It will take some time. We both still have many lessons to learn. I have kept my expectations low. I found taking him to as many spots as possible to interact with people and cyclists/runners (he wants all of them to stop and interact with him) was difficult. But, it was and still is what he needs. We’ve not been able to train him because of the pandemic. While here in Switzerland we were always able to go outside with a dog, we were not able to socialize our pets with humans or much at all with other dogs.

Look close at one of our neighbour’s little Yorkie. They were able to play together. He did find a Weimaraner that loves to play rough. They are good friends too.