Hi,
We have a three and a half month old Malinois female puppy. Tikki. We got her at eight weeks. She’s from a good working background. I liked both the woman breeder and our dog’s parents. Till recently, the going was intense. Very emotional. Hinging on stressful. Now, Tikki is getting to know the ropes so’s to speak of our lives. We are getting to know her too... And we are all a bit more relaxed.
We attend obedience classes at least once a week. She is already ‘starring’ if I could put it that way. (Sorry for showing off. I just find her so astonishing... The best thing that has happened to me in a while!!) She understands the notions of sit, down, recall, heeling. Is beginning to ‘stay’. I’m certainly not claiming she obeys every time. She ‘herds’ her possessions. Sort of plays ‘billiards’ with a number of tennis balls simultaneously! She adores people. Loves the car. Accepts crowds. Had some problems with other dogs but this seems to be sorted out. She is crated at night. Earlier on, I crated her from time to time during the day for breathing space. Apart from a reasonable accident here and there, she is house-trained. Has destroyed nothing dramatic in the house so far.
One question is : are things too good to be true?? Is the proverbial stuff going to hit the fan??
What should we look out for with a Malinois?? (We had rescue dogs, mixed breeds, and then Huskies before. Seemingly knowledgeable people warned me against the Malinois.)
Another question is : as ordinary people, how far do we take her education? To my mind, she has great potential. (But then I always thought our 22 year old daughter was fabulous as well...)
Unfortunately, living in France I haven’t been able to get Ed’s training tapes.
Any advice so’s we don’t make some awful mistake would be welcome.
Berenice

Is this Malinois from showlines or workinglines? What are your future plans for this puppy? If you are looking for a pet that you can have alot of fun with, it sounds like your off to a great start. If your planning on getting involved in French Ring sport or other protection sports, then what type of obedience training are you doing at this class? Treats? Choke collar?
I always tell people that Malinois are not good pets. I say this not because they can't be great pets, but because most pet people would not give a Mal the time it needs to be a well adjusted animal. Have fun with your furry little Devil Dog! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Berenice,

I'm in the U.K and have got one of Ed's tapes and also bought a nice leather leash so you should have no problem getting them sent to you in France.

They arrived here within 2 weeks of ordering and were well worth getting.

Gwen

Hi,
Thanks for the help.
To answer your questions, Tikki (my daughter chose the name..) comes from a breeder, Michelle Ponthomme, near Orleans. 'Red-Devils'. Big ears. Working dogs. Michelle based her lines on a champion female she bred and worked herself. In the championship videos Michelle showed of ten years back she looked a fabulous dog.
I'd already visited a number of kennels, including a 'showdog' (is that the word) breeder. These so-called beautiful dogs frightened the wits out of me. They were like insane, hysterical lunatics. Whereas Michelle's dogs were vigilant, aware and sort of sensible - if I could put it that way.
Michelle very kindly gave me my choice of two litters. Tikki was large, posed and thoughtful. Big paws. Wide head. Big ears. I took her at closer to seven weeks than eight. We have devoted an enormous amount of time to her and have tried to expose her to as many situations as possible - people, kids, ducks, cows, mountains, forests, city, markets, railways and so on.
I would like her to be a family companion and a serious-situation protector. We do a lot of wild-camping. My daughter or self enjoy the idea being able to walk the Paris streets at nights - or day for that matter - without being mugged. Even our Husky was a deterrent. Though in a difficult situation some years back, being a Husky she didn't react and my elderly friend was beaten up before my eyes. Two young thugs who just got away.
In the classes I've been to, choker-chain. At home, voice. No treats.... No eating at the same time as us... I make her lie down nearby so's to have calm.
Gwen, I thought perhaps the French VCR mightn't read American tapes???? I'll indeed order one and take the chance.
Ron - I looked at your site. Very interesting articles.
So - as you must have gathered - I'm very very intrigued. Though can't dare imagine myself going further than having a well-behaved dog... But I dream....
Berenice

Berenice,

The tapes you need for Europe are the PAL format and most of what Ed has are in both formats.