Hello

I was just wondering if ANYONE keeps malinoises as pets? if so what are they like? i always found them extremly beautiful dogs but i have ENOUGH tROUBLE with my shepherd! but energy wise is it true they just arent really great house pets cause they are constantly moving and will never just sit down relax and chew a bone? or fall asleeep on the floor? also i was told that MANY OF them pace back and fourth in their crates?

I have a malinois and am slowly getting him to settle in the house. Days that we do a lot of training are much better, but I didn't get him as a 7 week puppy I got him as a 10 month pup. I have to admit I am not really focusing on this a whole lot but if I let him do whatever (which I never do in the house) I doubt he would settle. We had a belgium judge here and he and his wife were horrified that you would even consider it. They said till five months then out to the kennel.

I have a high drive Mal and he is fine in the house, I do try to exercise him everyday, except for Christmas, I guess he got tick off for not getting enough exercise and so he ate a few light bulb of my Christmas tree. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Steve,

I know it can be done. I have a Mal as an indoor dog. I’m sure there are a lot of people out there that do. That high-energy type dog may take a little getting use to, and is not for everyone. No different than the Jack Russell Terror. I mean terrier. :rolleyes: My dog is quite calm in the house, and in fact he is sleeping under my computer desk right now. Since puppy hood there has been no playing associated/allowed inside the house. These are my rules and they are applied when he gets out of hand. Some say that it may be harsh, but it’s no different than my mom telling me not to ride my bicycle in the house. When he finally settles down, I take him outside and we play. It is always on my terms. No toys are available inside or outside the house. So when it comes to training OB with his toys he gets crazed and he sees training is fun. Now I do spend virtually 24 hours a day with him as well. So I’m sure that has a lot to do with it. But exercise, training, and time spent with them is a definite must. But with a GSD and a Mal playing chase me through the house may sound a bit frightening. Otherwise pack and put the fine china away.

Would you consider Malinois rescue? These dogs have been temerment evaluated, and are usually low to medium drive dogs. They have dogs all over the country. Here is a link:

ABMC belgian malinois rescue

The nice thing about a GOOD rescue is that you pretty much know what you are getting; they have been eval'd in homes so there are few suprises. I have never worked with this particular rescue personally, but they have a pretty good rep, to the best of my knowledge.

I agree with you, Mals are beautiful dogs! And to have a GSD and a Mal, what a pair! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have a male Mal in the house (7 Months old). It takes constant re-enforcement to make sure he isnt doing something he shouldnt. It is a slow process.
Last night was a good night. 1 hour walk, trip to the store in the car, two ball in the back yard, then watched about 30 minutes of TV. Then it was back out front doing some OB work. Then back to watch some more football. Then back outside for some retrieve games in the front yard. Then back inside for a little to watch more of the game. Then back out for another short walk and then crated so I can have some downtime.
The dog is always going.
The only thing that keeps him quiet in the house is a big rawhide bone or his kong stuffed with something. He will work on that till it is done.
I love it though. Keeps me off my butt!

wow that is so intense! i wonder if most working malls have the on off switch?

i am also assuming they require more exercise then most gsds?

 Quote:

i wonder if most working malls have the on off switch?

I think my guys's off switch is broken... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I have an 8 mo old Mal that spends a lot of time in the house - he does very well to be as high energy as he is - of course lots of outside exercise helps...but he is learning house manners very well...for awhile I was wondering if we would make it together... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Of course, at this point he is still supervised 100% of the time in the house or he is in his crate - I believe he could shred my entire couch in less than 10 seconds... :rolleyes:

Jen...yes they CAN shred a couch in under 10 seconds! I know one that did it (demolished is more like it with seat foam taken out, steering wheel and stick shift gone--all in less than 5 minutes) to the interior of a car when he was 6 months old....not pretty!

Like I say to everyone...IF you can survive a Mal's adolescence...You've done extremely well and that was half the battle! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

We should all be wearing T-Shirts that say: 'I'm owned by a Malinois...and I'm a SURVIVOR!' lol