BEFORE YOU GET A BELGIAN MALINOIS - WATCH THIS

Mike Jones gives us his experience working with Belgian malinois and some pointers for you to figure out if they are a good fit for you

[consortthantos]

I got a Mal by accident. I thought I was getting a 6 y/o Shepherd but she tuned out to be a 1y/o crazy Malinois. It was going to be put down if it went back to the pound as she was not normal and returned twice. Luckily I'm retired and she gets out into the bush every day. 3 years later, I have an absolutely beautiful dog. Yes, she might freak out during the night but she sleeps with me. My chickens escaped and I just told her find the chickens, I was stunned how she actually found them in someone elses yard. I'm lucky, I own land and go nowhere without her. She has protected me twice while walking, as for a trainer, I live in the bush and she knows exactly what I want. I would not sell her for anything, I love her more than my wife.

[littleprincess]

My grandparents have two Malinois and my grandfather was cutting trees, my grandmother was away shopping and a large branch broke off and felt on his head. Both dogs were close to him when it happened. One of them, Zitta who's 1, 5y old jumped over the fence and went to warn the neighbors. It's thanks to her that my grandfather survived and is healthy and well again, but if he would have layed their for hours, he wouldn't be arround anymore. Those dogs are everything, but you need to train them well. For my grandparents they are their babies. I often take them for long walks and runs too.

[bennbanes]

I got a Mali, year in now.... And wow... What a dog. Boundless energy, unbelievably loyal. My shadow now, comes everywhere with me. Never been destructive in the house, never chewed my sofa apart, but Im literally running her all day. If she ain't panting, she's not happy. Simple. Definitely NOT a pet dog. Definitely requires it's owner to step up, and if you do, you will never own a dog like it, and will never connect with another dog in the same She's my star.... Just what I needed.

[Trainwreck_Art]

A coworker of mine got a Malinois as a 'failed' police dog. Her alarm system notified her of her back door being breached, and she pulled up the camera app to see that he'd chewed through the doggy door (it was one that had a slat to cover it at night etc) and was playing fetch by himself in their full sized swimming pool with a soccer ball. It got the ball into the pool and was chasing it back and forth. It was STILL doing it almost 3 hours later when we got off work.

And it's not like this dog didn't get exercise. My coworker was one of those people who took their dog on 5 mile daily hikes, 10 mile bicycle rides on the weekends, occasional trips hunting, fishing, etc. It STILL wasn't enough for this particular dog. Soooo much energy.

I ran into her a few months ago, and even though that dog is around 11 years old now, she says he has't slowed down one bit.

[malinoisdogtraining]

Thank you for this video.
My heart breaks seeing all the failures with this magnificent breed.
A malinois is too much dog for 90 % of folks.
The shelters in so cal are filled with malinois that people failed.
Most will not make it out of a shelter alive..
It kills me.
I've dedicated the rest of my life to helping and training the owners of these dogs.
Thank you.

[johnlewis]

I have a Belgian X. He's been a handful, but I'm happy to have him. Extremely smart and energetic. He is my woods buddy. DO NOT use harsh discipline and aggressive talk. They WILL become shy and timid.

[Christinenaly]

Got mine as a puppy. He thrives for naps and cuddles. Please, not all BM are what you say they are. All dogs deserve above and beyond love and training. Ours is 5 years old now and will have your leg for snack if I say so and cuddle with my kids for a movie. It wasn’t as “hard and scary” as people say.

[Findyourinnerdogtraining]

I’m a trainer who just sent your video to a potential client. They are seniors who rescued a young Mal recently. One thing to add to what you said (which was a beautiful mouthful)—is that not all trainers are the right trainers for a Mal. What I offer in training and what a Mal needs are two different topics. I will evaluate this dog and family and refer out. This is when ego needs to be set aside to fulfill the dog. Thank you for a great video!

[jeanniemoody]

I am 65 years old. My first Belgian malinois. I got him at six months old. Spend lots of time training him. He is an awesome dog. Is now two years and elven months old. He is by my side continually no matter what I do. If u have plenty of time to spend with a dog, I recommend this dog. Wonderful pet. That's only my opinion, and a beautiful dog.

[Klugschieterin]

Got in 1988 my first Dutchy with 6 months without knowing what dog he was 😂
May be i was just lucky to instinctively playing with him rough and started to get control over him and his trust. He became an amazing family dog (3 kids and grandma in a big city) and left a big hole in our life after 16 years...till my second Dutchy caught me - again 6 months old, a "dangerous rescue" and again an amazing family dog...she helped me raising my actual Dutchy (also "dangerous rescue" ), who helped me over the loss of her after 15 years...and the death of my husband
Thinking this video is the best i saw about Mals and Dutchies, thank you

[binyamj]

The first couple of weeks I had doubts, and I was worried that I had made a mistake. She's almost 5 months old and I couldn't imagine giving her up. She's extremely smart and very, VERY easy to train. She's extremely high drive, but after 15 minutes of making her mind work, she needs a nap. Also, one thing that is rarely discussed, is the cuddling. Especially if you're the number one person to the Malinois, you will get extreme cuddles and affection. I've never had such an affectionate dog. But that eventually leads to being mouthed and nibbled. Still great!

[Asymmetrical.athlete_]

After working with these dogs overseas and as a cop, I took a year of doing nothing but research before I got one. When I made the decision to get one, I still took another few months to pick the right breeder. When I got her I spent the next year of training her, I let a trainer take her for two weeks and make sure that everything I was doing was right. Now, she is amazing…she is very obedient, loving, and protective. She will play with all the neighborhood kids in our yard and she still knows when to turn it on and off. I couldn’t have asked for a better dog…but with all that comes a price tag, not just money but lots of time. She did not eat from a dog dish for 6 months. Everything she got for food came out of my hand or my family’s hand and she worked for every bite. And….no, they don’t stop biting 😂

[codythrasher]

I got lucky! I rescued a 2yr old pure breed Belgian malinios last year in September and he was going to be put down and he has major separation anxiety. Did a lot of research and even then it’s a whole different animal. Had him professionally trained and he is part of our family and he is definitely a great house dog. A lot of work. I was worried when the movie came out because of that reason. To many are abandoned because people don’t know how to care for them

[carolinachartier]

I rescued a Malinois from living in a cage in a hot Florida garage this summer. I had never heard of a Malinois. It is a full time job. Thankfully I have “some” experience with working dogs but never a Malinois. It’s a TON OF WORK. I figure it will keep me going, young and fit. Most of all they he gives tons of love in return.

[hanzyj]

Good video man. I’ve had one for 3 years now and she is literally as much of a commitment as having a kid. That likes to bite

[kenthouston]

I've had 9 Mali's and one GSD/Mali mix - all rescues. Personalities have spanned the spectrum from a Mali who identifies as a Golden Retriever to a nitrous-injected meth-head with a death wish ... turned up to 11. Some I've rehabbed and re-homed (because they needed a different environment or more "job" than I could give them), and some I've kept. I don't think I'll ever have another breed, but your warnings are 100% spot-on: If you don't intend to spend a *significant* amount of time with them, look for a different breed. If you don't find something to stimulate their mind, THEY will find something to stimulate their mind like, say, disassembling your couch or cutting the garden hose into neat little 8" sections ... all 50 feet of it. The fantastic thing is that you will get out of them what you put into them - they love to learn and work. Activity needs will depend on temperament/personality of the particular dog. Some can play for hours and seem to never get tired ... others get bored of playing after only 15 minutes or so. I have two at the moment: "Lazy and Crazy" - polar opposites of the behavioral/drive spectrum ... but both are good dogs.

[darceyshank]

Thank you so much for clarifying this. I have 4 Mali's and a Dutchie and all have a specific job. I own a training facility and have founded a Non-profit for Service Dogs and tell my clients this on a daily basis. Thank you for keeping it honest and real!

[jimbetche]

I acquired my malinois from a guy who had no clue about this breed . We believe he is 16 months old. After having him, ( Atlas) for almost 6 month's , he's been a awesome companion to our family. All he wants is to be loved and please his owner's. I couldn't have made it better decision on taking him into our home and lives. He's so smart and is protective of our family. He also has learned a few parlor tricks. We love Atlas so much and can't wait to have a lot of fun with him over the year's.

[timmanion]

I always had GSD's . After retirement from the military I was looking for another German Shepherd Dog when the opportunity to adopt a 1 yr old female Malinois. I'd been freinds with guys in our K9 cell so was pretty familiar with the huge differences and needs. So I got this beautiful female Malinois and have never looked back . Without a doubt the best dog I've ever been lucky enough to have . She definitely is so different in the way of energy, prey drive and desire to learn . I'm fortunate to live in the country with a lot of land . I have the time required to work with her everyday. Excercise 4 times a day, everyday, plus work with her training and obstacle course (I built her an obstacle course in the back) everyday. From bite work to tracking shedding so well . Definitely has taken a huge chunk of my life the last 2.5 yrs but has enriched my life in so many ways . Haven't ever regretted my decision to get her . Ever. Good video though. People need to realize the enormous amount ot time it will take in the all around care a Malinois needs . If you can't give that amount of time, a Malinois probably isn't the right choice.

[maldad]

Got my first one in '94, just thought it was a cool looking GSD type breed. Boy was I in for a surprise 😮
Had them ever since because once I figured out how to direct them properly I can't imagine a better sidekick.