After scouring hundreds(literally) of web pages and calling to talk to a handful of breeders I finally did it. Put down a deposit this morning on a Malinois pup. Litters on the ground already and I reserved a male who will be shipped to me around December 30th, weather depending. I was uncertain about getting a Mal but after looking at everything that was out there I'm comfortable that I made the right choice.

Looking forward to puppy shenanigans!

Is there anything that REALLY helped you with a young high drive puppy? Books, certain toys, etc. I have a few Leerburg DVDs that will be watched repeatedly prior to pups arrival of course.

Real bones in the crate as pacifiers helped a lot. Not worried about broken baby teeth.

We had new bones every few days when the Pinker was small.

Can't wait to see photos -- do you have baby photos already? A male, a female, light or dark?

How exciting. How old will the pup be that you're getting? I can't wait to hear about your adventures and experiences.

Wish I had some advice to offer other than to hang on. It's going to be a wild ride. Looking back, I don't know how we or Bailey survived her puppyhood but we seemed to get through it. Just did everything we could to keep her busy and tired.

congrats, get the ME vids. carefully consider the introduction process with yr other dogs and don't let them feel they are on the backburner.
positively reward the other dogs for showing interest in the new guy and let them know they are still loved and wanted.

have fun don't sweat the small stuff or project too much expectation on pup, let him bond and be a puppy in a new scary environment.

oh and most importantly don't blame the puppy for doing things you think are wrong because you did not manage the environment properly like leaving stuff you don't want chewed accessible to a puppy who will naturally explore and chew stuff.

Along with all the usual, teach them calm behavior from day one. Impulse control games, relaxing in your lap, etc. Down time is as important as busy time, frozen kongs and bully sticks are great for getting a pup to settle in a crate.

Practice deep breathing, start stocking up on rags and keep little braided ropes with flirty endson them to have on hand for on the spot redirection. What plans for the new little sweetie? Also I'd get an exercise pen if you don't have one in hand.

I'll be getting a male pup at 8 weeks old. I'm leaving which male I get completely up to the breeder. I would prefer a darker pup but I know the coat changes color anyway so temperament is priority.

Here's one of the pups. Still at the baby seal looking stage.



Plans include anything and everything that looks interesting. Bitework doesn't really have a lot of appeal to me but obedience, tracking, agility, scent work, rally, etc. We'll give anything that looks fun a shot and see what happens.

I'm thinking of naming him Ryker or Taz(Tazmanian Devil) but open to suggestions.

Don't allow the pup to do anything you don't want it to.

That means if it craps on the floor it's your fault for letting the dog out of your sight.

If you walk in the room and find the crap on the floor do you punish it?

No simply because the dog has no idea what your pissed about if it was even a min after he did it.

Same with any bad habit. If you don't stop it when it BEGINS then little will be learned.

If the pup chews up your shoes ask how he had access to them.

If the pup gets in the trash where you when it happened?

YOU have to stop it "as it's beginning"

Correct the dog when you walk in the kitchen and the trash is all over the floor and the dog has been watching tv with you for ten mins how can he understand NOT to get in the trash in the first place.

All it knows is that it's in trouble when the trash in on the floor. It doesn't connect the dots to while it was doing it 2 mins ago.

If the pup get on the furniture and you don't want him there how did he get up there?

When these things happen is it the pups fault?

No because it's a puppy. He is doing what comes natural.

Sounds simple and it is. Training a puppy is simple. Breaking bad habits sucks!

Be consistent with it.

Don't play rough house games when the pup is in the house. That's where it should be learning how to chill out.

Congratulations Cathy!

I have nothing but complete respect for people that chose to have a Mal in their lives, it's one of those breeds I couldn't imagine ever owning, because while I have had some stubborn and pig-headed dogs over the last 40 years, only a fool would think having a dog smarter than them is a good idea.

Fortunately the Mal is, as yet, a rare sight among the general dog owning populace here in rural Norfolk, and I say fortunately, because I fret and gnash my teeth over the people who are out-witted by a naughty Whippet, I also have little patience with people who sneer and say that it is just a dog, of COURSE it's just a dog, but one with an IQ higher than the person who owns it, is a tad over ambitious.

You and your new wee boy are going to have a blank page, and I envy you the sheer joy of a brand new life, with the sweet breath and the soft belly

You see, I am too sentimental and daft about my dogs, and that is why I would be such an easy mark for a smart one

Lots of best wishes from me, for the lucky pup that gets to go home with you x

"daft" - now there's a word you don't hear often these days.

i like it.