I'm picking up a malinois pup this weekend. Haven't had a puppy for 6 years so my mind isn't fresh. I wish I'd found the forum sooner lol. I want to pick up some of the DVD's Ed sells but we will see I need to buy stuff for the pup.

Should I keep the dog away from my kids and if so for how long? (ages 2 and 3) My wife wants the kids to be able to play with the puppy.

I think that I should Totally keep it in a crate while not training or playing with him if I'm reading Ed's advice right. I would like to know because it's going to be our first total house dog what I should do.


I really want to start this dog out right for many reasons.
Should I keep the pup on leash at first inside? My wife is worried the kids are going to get upset because they can't play with the pup.


Anything you can tell me will help

Thanks!!

You're getting a 5 week old puppy this weekend? You do know this is about 3 weeks early right?

 Quote: John Caven

Should I keep the dog away from my kids and if so for how long? (ages 2 and 3) My wife wants the kids to be able to play with the puppy.

Generally speaking, I wouldn't recommend that anybody go out and buy a Malinois pup to play with their kids. It almost always is a bad combination. My 5 year old daughter (an expert on Mal pups by now for sure) can tell you that all Malinois puppies are bad news once they hit about the 4-5 week mark.

 Quote:

I think that I should Totally keep it in a crate while not training or playing with him if I'm reading Ed's advice right. I would like to know because it's going to be our first total house dog what I should do.

Depending on your pup's temperament and your living situation, it will be important to manage the pup to keep him out of trouble. Crates, puppy pens, baby gates, tethering, and mental and physical exercise are all tools for management.

 Quote:

I really want to start this dog out right for many reasons.
Should I keep the pup on leash at first inside? My wife is worried the kids are going to get upset because they can't play with the pup.

Tethering (leashing) the pup to you might be a good idea, unless your pup is very mouthy/bitey. Then your pup might just attach himself to you with his teeth. Also, young pups and very young kids don't make for a great combination, and this is especially so for Malinois pups. Mal pups typically explore with their teeth, and this will include mouthing/play biting your children or knocking them down. You'll have to be careful with the kids' toys too - they will be fair game and can easily be destroyed and/or swallowed by a pup/dog.

 Quote:

Anything you can tell me will help

5 weeks is much too young for a pup to leave the litter. Where is the pup coming from? Who is the breeder? What is his pedigree? Have you done a lot of research on the breed? What plans do you have to exercise/work this pup?

I'm going to 'third' the 5 weeks is TOO YOUNG advice... you should ask your breeder to hang on to the pup for another 3 weeks so you can become more prepared, AND let the pup mature with his/her littermates and dam.

I'm new here and not an expert, so that is my caveat.

I perceive a serious problem between your wife's perception of what the puppy is going to do for your family and kids, and what the puppy is going to need to grow up healthy and well-balanced. Why does your wife think it is a good idea for your children to 'play' with the puppy. She knows the puppy is not a toy, right? Why would your wife be worried about the kids being upset about not being able to play with the puppy? Your kids are going to understand that a puppy is not a toy, right? That they don't get to play with the puppy whenever they want?

It already sounds like there is unexamined pressure on this puppy to play with children who are not old enough to understand what a puppy needs, and play with them when the children want to play with him.

I have grand children, and there is no way I would let them play with my dogs. I would let them help me with their training, but really, these dogs need a grown up to supervise them. I wouldn't want the kids to get mouthed, bitten, knocked over, or scratched.

Jenny won't let her grandchildren play with her pups, and they are FAR lower drive then a 5 week old Maligator! Those things are like teeth on pogo sticks. I'd really read Konnie's post throughly, she knows what she's talking about!

Edited by Kelly Byrd (04/26/2011 12:45 AM)
Edit reason: (Jenny, you know I LOVE Jethro. No offense to either of your boys. I'm sure you know what I was getting at. Kids+ insane needle teeth puppy = bad times for everyone.

I know my first knee jerk objection was about the age of this puppy but something else is nagging on me about your opening message. It's possible that depending on your kids, your puppy, and your kid and dog training and management skills that your dog may NEVER be child safe.

You have a 2 and 3 year old. IMO it will be at least a couple of years before it's a good idea to let your kids play with the new puppy who will then be a dog and even then it will be under full supervision. Until that point there should be ground rules that your kids will need to learn. Leave the dog alone while it's eating, do not pull on the dog, do not bother the dog while it's sleeping, do not take toys away from the dog (that's Mommy and Daddy's job), and for pete's sake don't bite the dog. Your kids are old enough to learn what No means. You may have to deal with some tantrums at first but eventually they will learn if you're consistent.

As far as the dog side of things. Your dog is going to go through a case of the alligators, a case of the teenage buttheads, and finally end up as an adult. Hopefully if you're wanting a family pet your dog will have learned that children are not chew toys, that running like a bulldozer through the house is unacceptable, and that you will protect them from all the scary things in life. Not every dog gets to this place and these are the dogs that indeed may not be child safe no matter how much you wish they would be.

You need to talk to your spouse and set up realistic expectations for the relationship this dog will need to have with your kids and how this dog will work in your lives. Please do this before you get your puppy. You also need to make sure your wife is 110% on board. If she isn't DO NOT GET THIS PUPPY.

You have been given very good advice. Please, read Konnie's post again. I agree with every word. Seriously consider whether this puppy will be a good fit for your situation. Malinois puppies are not for every family especially at 5 weeks of age. One of the things that puppies learn in that critical 5 to 8 week period is bite inhibition. And, a malinois puppy can not get enough of that when they are going to a family with young children. Remember that this breed is different than many others and needs a very knowledgeable owner.

I just realized I typed 5 weeks! I guess I needed some caffeine.

The male 4 months old. He's had training done as the breeder is also a trainer. I'm looking for the dog to be a well rounded family dog. I do hope it can provide some home defense for my wife and kids when dad is at work. I've handled large GSD's (I know this isn't a GSD!) before so I think I will be ok. I just haven't had a inside dog in over 10 years. The breeder himself has several of these dogs and a child of his own. From watching his youtube video's I think he knows what he's doing with dogs.

What I was looking for in this thread was maybe a few pointers to start out. I've been thinking about this for awhile today and I'm pretty sure I just need to keep the dog on a short leash around my kids until other wise proven. I will not get rid of a dog for a mistake I've made with proper handling. I will fix the issue. My wife is on board but she's a cat person so the learning curve for her will be a much taller order. She's been around my fathers bird dog whom I trained. He's a big dump oaf lol... I'm going to do my best to help her with it. I really feel I can handle this pup once I get it.

Funny story:

I had a officer's K9 mal who was heeled by him all of a sudden jump up and put his paws on my shoulders and gave me kisses. Boy did that get my attention.. Especially when he was like "dont!! grab his collar I can't shock him your too close! " I've been told I have a "thing" with animals. I'm one of those people. I was almost attacked by a GSD at age 17. My stupid friend put him outside after inviting me into the dogs backyard. Didn't come outside just me and the dog. This was DDR dog. I saw him look at me and start to creep like he was going to attack me. I got on one knee and clapped and called him repeatedly in a puppy calling voice. thank god it worked renny was a BIG dog and I would of been lunch meat.


Here is my Lady RIP ran her self to death when my dad let her out while I was gone


she was a serious dog too

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/Roguewardom/hunting/2d67d21c.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/Roguewardom/PICT0031.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/Roguewardom/7c3518e6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/Roguewardom/25c2da17.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/Roguewardom/PICT0027.jpg

here's tubby my dads pup i helped train:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/Roguewardom/PICT0021.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/Roguewardom/PICT0034.jpg


Tubby was 2 here on his first hunt with my lady (she had over $3400 worth of training)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/Roguewardom/hunting/48da7f22.jpg


Tubby is 4 now. Lady was 8 when she passed.







Edited by Connie Sutherland (04/26/2011 10:42 AM)
Edit reason: un-embed oversize pic

Oh my, your bird dogs are stunning! I have always loved pointers!

Um, just a weird sidenote. The breeder does know you have very young children at home, right? Maybe I was always super paranoid, but the few times I placed pups or even when purchasing a pup for myself, no one would sell one to me unless my children were at least 5 and in one case 8 years old. I pretty much followed that rule whan I have to find homes for puppies (I am not a breeder, but I have been known to be a sucker and take in homeless beasties to foster).
Eiter way, I wish you all the best with yur newest family member, may you all find this experience enriching.