I was wondering what some might say is the biggest or most important difference in the training of the two. I have a Mal pup that is 7 months old now.

David, with your experience I doubt that you'd have any difficulty making the transition between Mals and GSD's. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

For me, the biggest difference was that I needed to tone down my handling and corrections with Mals - they are on the average softer than GSD's and need a gentler hand. But I'm big and loud to begin with, so that was good for me to learn anyway.

I can say that although my male GSD is my best dog, my male Mal is my favorite dog. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

WILL R. wrote:

 Quote:

my male Mal is my favorite dog

Just wanted to make this post for the record! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

PS: see ya soon, LOL

I got this Mal at 8 weeks old. I have been very inducive with it.Most Mals Ive worked with (all actually) have been grown and were either very good dogs or ruined and operating on their last nerve. I heard a person I considered to be very knowledgable in training ( about 6 months ago) say once that he didnt know much about training Mals. That really surprised me. I thought if he didnt know, what was it I didnt know ? What I do know (or think I know) is that they are more handler sensitive and less forgiving. With the GSD being more forgiving. Ive been very patient with this pup and smile alot. Ive been second guessing alot of things in my training. So I find myself in a position like this 1) A less forgiving dog needs to be taught things correctly the first time around 2) This a Mal, keep it fun and rely on perfect timing with the rewards... So anyway I keep pumping the treats to it/ball or tug and try to be very consistent and have great timing and wondering WHEN am I going to become more demanding. I keep thinking Ill reevaluate everything at 1 year old. It has been fun though!

I was in the same boat last summer, but buko was 10 months when I got him. I am only now thinking about going to the prong for his forging. I was amazed at how quickly he learned the situation and pattern. The command was not there. I had the object guard, change of positions, out and down, search and bark all fairly well in less than a month.

I am absolutely torn between getting a Mal and getting a Czech GSD. I'd like to do the Will R thing and get both but my county only lets you have have three dogs and I have two BYB GSD's already.