I have two dogs and they get along well. The problem I am having with the Mal is if they are both in the yard and the Chihuahua starts running around, the Mal starts chasing her.

Question

Hi,

    First off, I have purchased many of your videos, and I have learned so much from them.  I watch them over and over to be sure that my mind has absorbed every inch of what you are teaching.

    I'm writing to you because I have an issue that I would so appreciate your expert advice on.  I have a 6-month-old male Malinois and a 3-year-old female Chihuahua.  I have had the Malinois since he was 8 weeks old and introduced the Malinois to the Chihuahua, and they get along well.  They like to play, and the Malinois is very social.  The problem I am having with the Malinois is if they are both in the yard and the Chihuahua starts running around, the Malinois starts chasing her.  He's not chasing her to hurt her, but still chases her and when she stops, the Malinois hovers over her waiting to run again.  I am suspecting this is his prey drive kicking in.  I have friends who have Malinois, and when there are other dogs around they don't want to go chase but yet still are social dogs.  I want to know if you can give me advice on how to address this problem.  I want him to be social, but I don't want him chasing dogs.  I am also concerned because he is going to be a French Ring competition dog, and I don't want to lose my bond with him in regards to competition.  Do you think it is because he is still a puppy?

    I look forward to your response, and thank you so very much for your time.

    Mark

Accepted Answer

I would NOT allow your puppy to interact with your other dog in this way. This is most likely prey drive, but due to the size difference and the drive of most Malinois I think it’s an accident waiting to happen. I also have Malinois pup and am training for ringsport and I don’t think by preventing this behavior you will be affecting your training relationship or his ability to socialize with other dogs.

I personally don’t allow my dogs to play together until they will willing leave the other dog any time I say their name. By allowing the behavior your puppy is doing, you are basically letting him have fun with another dog instead of having fun with you.

Once my dogs are past that puppy stage I take them on walks together but I don’t allow too much playing or roughhousing. I want to be the center of my puppy’s universe and while I like him to be social and safe around other dogs, I don’t like to let him rehearse getting all his fun and excitement around other dogs.

You can simply prevent this behavior by not allowing the playing or you can introduce the pup to the ecollar and teach him a recall with low level stim. Your pup is old enough to begin becoming conditioned to the collar and I have found it very useful in everyday life with a high drive puppy. I don’t use it as punishment, but use low level nick to “interrupt” whatever behavior I see my pup getting into.

If you want to read more about electric collars and training you can check this link.

I hope this helps.

Cindy