First I have a strong faith in God and this seems like a strong coincidence.

I have been reading contimplating getting a Mallinois. I have gone to the sch. club to watch and help me evaluate my 6 month old shepherd. Quincy is from strong working lines but is going to make an awesome pet. Love him but know I want a working dog next.

Gone to the club twice a week for two months just to learn.

There is a two yr old dominent, handler agressive male malinois there. The man is ready to rehome him after THREE trps to the ER. This is the mans FIfTH Mal so supposedly experienced handler. (i am not).

The man has offered me the dog.

Here is why.

The dog apparently LOVES me. I have not seen any problems from him. EVERYONE at the club mentions how good the dog is when I am just there. I handled him a few times and no biggy. I partly wonder if everyone is selling me a bill of goods about how different the dog is around me to get me to take him. The owner showed me scars. Supposedly from the dog? He is very bright and alert. They were honest that he would need to be completely seperated from cats and my little dog.

I took him home last night and he was fun. The wife of the owner couldn't believe it. When I brought him back she asked "did you feed him?" apparently food aggresive. (thanks for the heads up)

I tell you I know knothing buth had zero issues not a one. He was hyper but I took him for a run and he stayed right by my side looking at me for 5 miles.

Sorry so long. On one hand it feels meant to be. On the rational side I wonder when the other shoe will drop.

Wow,Michelle...tough decision to make. If you do take him, what are your goals for him/you?

I want to do sch with him. It is probably a year or two ahead of being an IDEAL situation as we will still be traveling with the horses a lot this year.

I think I am a sucker for him because he L O V E S me. Somehow I feel that is a load of bull but my husband likes him and he is hard to impressed and doesn't like the breed.

Could you take him on a trial basis? And, aside from the fact that he has a crush on you , what esle do you like about him?

A trial basis is a GOOD idea. A long enough time to get over the honeymoon period so you can really see what you have.

I dunno...are dominant, handler-aggressive dogs this way only with certain people or will they be this way always? I thought it was the latter but I'll be interested to see what the experienced people say about that.

I think the question is, are you willing to go to the ER with puncture wounds if his love for you turns out to be a fleeting infatuation? Is everyone else you live with willing to risk the same? Sounds to me like these aren't far fetched concerns but real world possibilities based on what you wrote about the dog. These things could happen, even on a trial basis.

What happens if you take this dog and it turns out to be hell for you? Will the original handler take him back?

I don't mean to sound negative, but love doesn't work with a dog like you've described and my guess is that you will be challenged at some point. Are you honestly up for that considerable challenge? Best case scenario would be that you've got a dog that will take a lot of dedication and work on your part. Worst case scenario could be you permanently scarred like the handler was. Not to mention the liability of a dog like that. It is no joke.

Again, I don't mean to sound all negative, but I would think long and hard and seriously about this one. You may be flattered by this dog's apparent good manners around you but when taking a dog on, any dog,...it is best to think more with your head than with your heart.

I have ZERO experinece with mals and very little with civil dogs, so may be completely off target. But if the current owner is very harsh with the dog, it occurs to me that maybe the dog is responding to harsh or inappropriate corrections, and would be stable and far less of a problem with a more positive approach. I think others (mal people) have said that mals are more sensitive to poor handling (e.g. badly timed corrections) then are GSDs. I would guess that you would need to spend a lot of time solidifying your bond with the dog before giving any corrections. Again, I am completely green on this, and am looking forward to comments from experienced board members.

The other shoe is going to drop as soon as you correct him for something, especially if he's really in drive. Personaly I wouldnt take him. If an experienced owner/handler can't handle him I would pass.

 Quote:

On the rational side...

You mean there is an IRRATIONAL side you're actually considering?

I think the question is answered.

 Quote: michelle berdusco

There is a two yr old dominent, handler agressive male malinois there. The man is ready to rehome him after THREE trps to the ER. This is the mans FIfTH Mal so supposedly experienced handler. (i am not).

I would discourage you from this. Sorry, but 3 trips to the ER and he is experienced and your not? No way. I can see the new threads now from you about stitches already. Not saying you cannot handle a dog, but this kind of dog is not a good idea.

Besides, weren't you just saying you wanted a GSD in another thread?

 Quote: michelle berdusco

The dog apparently LOVES me.

Til you correct him.

Ember loves me too, but that doesn't mean she will never challenge me.

I may sound harsh, but this dog deserves to go to a handler that is experienced and can work with him to overcome. As soon as he settles with you he will sense that you are "new" and it will become a nightmare for the both of you.