From 6-7 weeks old, any tips on raising a young FR pup? (Malinois)

Thanks, I do not have the Leerburg "raising a working puppy" video but I am looking for those types of tips.

Hi Jennifer,

I have a presa puppy whom I plan on training in PP and ScH. I bought the working puppy DVD and highly recommend you do as well. There's a ton of info in it. If you just ask for random "tips" I'm sure you will miss some important issues that you would see on the DVD.

I also bought and would highly recommend the "Building Drive, Focus and Grip" DVD. It is excellent.

IMHO, if you learn just a couple of things from each DVD, it was WELL worth the purchase (just think about the amount of cash you have already invested in your pup). But, I would wager that you would learn much more than a couple things from each DVD.

One suggestion, if you pose a particular question rather than a general request for "tips" you: (1) are likely to get more responses, (2) those replies will be "better" and more thorough, and (3) you won't get a lot of information you already know.


Good Luck

Basic Dog Obedience

8 weeks to 8 Months

How to Raise a Working Puppy

Building Drive and Focus

Bite Training for Puppies

First Steps of Bite Training



Here is my recommendations. This is the list I give everyone that asks.

Awesome information and nothing is missed.

Go see Michael Ellis whenever you can. I can't think of a better person to guide a training program in ringsport.

We just had him here at our place a week and a half ago, but I have been to many of his seminars.

Even if you attend without a dog, you will get so much out of it.

Thanks for those links. I am new to the website.

Right now I am just hoping she stops crying in the crate I can't even sleep, poor pup. She's gonna be a great dog though!

For any sport you want to raise a confident obnoxious pup.......

Obnoxious is definitely the word.
Mouthy. Pushy. Into everything.

Be very, VERY careful of putting your dog in a situation that it can't "win". You want to always stack the deck in your dog's favor, so that it thinks life is always winnable.

Be especially wary of putting your dog into a situation where it could have a negative experience, for example, a friend of mine just had her 10 week old puppy attacked by another dog at the vet.

Biggest tip I can come up with elaborates on Alyssa's... not only try to make your pup "win", but also take the steps needed so that corrections (except for rank issues) are not needed. If the pup is getting into everything, instead of correcting it, give it a toy (substitute) you catch it chewing on something, give a toy it CAN chew on. No correction, just wiggle a toy to lure it, then let it play. Biting, same thing. When you cannot watch the pup and have it tethered to you, crate!
All free time should involve you, to make yourself the center of your dogs' world. All playtime should also include you. Don't let strangers pet or treat your pup. Same goes for family members. Be jealous of your pups attention - don't share it with ANYONE or ANYTHING. Don't let your pup play with other dogs - not needed, and it will start to prefer to play with them rather than with you. Causes a lot of problems immediately and over time.
I'll say again - go out of your way to set up your home and every interaction with your pup so that your pup can do NO wrong. This means a little more work on your part, but corrections are really unnecessary if you set things up right. Have fun! (Also important)