Belgian Malinois are good dogs.If you can provide the physical exercise, attention, and training that they require, they will make great family pets.They have needs that are unique to their breed.They require a lot of exercise, are easy to train, and are very loyal.
Step 1: Provide a safe place to call home.
Belgian Malinois can live to be 14 to 16 years old and become part of your family.Pets who want to earn your praise and love are loving and loyal.Take care of them, give them attention, and be affectionate with them.In a variety of homes, they can do well with other pets or as the only dog.A dog does well in a home with other animals.Some dogs do better in homes with other animals than others, based on their individual temperament.Belgian Malinois are happy in homes with other animals.
Step 2: Give your dog plenty of space to play.
Your lifestyle should also fit the needs of a Belgian Malinois.Belgian Malinois do best in environments where they have space to run and play.A Belgian Malinois would find it hard to live in a small apartment without a yard.
Step 3: Spend several hours a week training.
Belgian Malinois require a lot of time and attention to become well trained.They like to be around their owners and family.They don't like being left alone for long periods of time.Belgian Malinois are intelligent dogs who want to please their owners.They are easy to train, but need their trainer to be consistent.You need to be prepared to spend at least an hour a day exercising your dog.The breed of dog has a lot of energy.They can become destructive if they don't have opportunities to play or exercise.
Step 4: If applicable, watch your dog around children.
Belgian Malinois are great family dogs.They are loyal to their owners and can be wary of strangers if they see them as a threat.This makes them great guard dogs, but they must be taught not to be too protective of small children.Due to their larger size, they can unintentionally knock children over while playing.If not corrected, they may try to herd small children.Kids tend to pull on dogs' fur, ears, and tails, which can hurt a dog, so it's important to watch small children around pets.
Step 5: Introduce your dog to new places.
Belgian Malinois must be taught to greet and interact with other dogs and people.You should expose your dog to a lot of new things.Belgian Malinois like interacting with other dogs and people.They may initially be wary of strangers since they are very protective.New people are not a threat if they are exposed to them.Introduce your dog to your family and friends.Be excited to see the new person and use a friendly tone of voice.The new people are not seen as a threat by the Malinois.The dog should approach the new person if they realize they are not a threat.Give your friend a few treats to share with the dog so they can form positive associations with meeting new people.
Step 6: Allow your dog to interact with other dogs.
socializing your dog to interact positively with other animals is important.Take your dog to areas where other dogs are, like dog day cares.They have an opportunity to play with other dogs and be exposed to new environments.If your friends and family have dogs, arrange a play date so they can play together.The dogs should approach each other.You can demonstrate that you don't see the other dog as a threat to your safety by petting it and speaking in a reassuring tone.
Step 7: Positive reinforcement can be used.
Belgian Malinois want to please their owners.They enjoy being rewarded for their hard work and are very task oriented.In training exercises, small treats can be very helpful.After you have instructed them to complete the task, reward them immediately with your praise.Positive reinforcement can help your dog respond favorably to new situations.
Step 8: Basic commands should be taught.
Belgian Malinois are very smart and will learn new things quickly.They have a strong drive to follow directions because they are bred to be working dogs.Sit, stay, and come are good first commands.Show your dog a treat.When the dog looks at the treat, move it close to his nose, then slowly back over his head.The dog will usually sit down when it tries to follow a treat with its eyes and nose.Give the dog a treat when this happens.Stay and come can be taught together.If you are standing, have the dog sit in front of you.As you say, "stay", take a few steps backwards and the dog will follow you.When the dog has learned to stay, you can use the come command to get them to follow you.
Step 9: The train is named Leash.
Belgian Malinois are less likely to run away than other breeds because they are very attached to their owners and families.They need to be taught to walk on a leash.Belgian dogs are strong and can pull a leash.If your dog begins to pull while you are walking them on a leash, you can stand still and wait until they reach the end of the leash and are forced to walk back to you.You can use treats to get your dogs to stay close to you.Don't use retractable leashes.They are not strong enough to be used with larger dogs, and they reinforce bad leash habits.They can have a negative impact on the work you have already done.If another dog or person comes close to you, you are signaling to your dog that they are a threat.
Step 10: Train frequently.
Practice makes perfect when it comes to training.Depending on your dog's level of obedientness, you will need to spend time each day practicing the commands and tricks that you want the dog to learn.Training gives Belgian Malinois an opportunity to spend time with you and provide mental stimulation.Once your dog is fully trained, you should keep practicing the commands they have learned so that they retain them over time.
Step 11: You can enroll in a class.
Some owners feel overwhelmed with the training process if they have not trained their dog before.You can find information on obedience classes at your local pet store or online.Most of the classes for puppies and adult dogs will allow you to sit in, so you can learn proper techniques.If you want to teach your dog more advanced commands, you can enroll in an obedience class.
Step 12: Exercise your dog every day.
Belgian Malinois have high energy levels.They need to be active every day.When they don't have an opportunity to use their energy, Malinois may turn to destructive behaviors such as chewing furniture and destroying their beds to relieve boredom.Unless you are an avid runner who jogs several miles each and every day, daily walks are not enough exercise for a Belgian Malinois.Belgian dogs do best when they have fenced in yards to play in.Many dogs like to play games, participate in agility trials, run, hike, and spend time with their owners outdoors.They need mental exercise as well.They enjoy Schutzhund, agility, herding, and tracking and are very intelligent.
Step 13: The dog food you choose should be healthy.
Belgian Malinois are very active dogs who need to be fed healthy dog food.Clean water is always available for your Belgian Malinois to drink.The dog food should have a balanced diet.Typically, working dogs need more than the average house pet, so look for a dog food that is between 25% and 30% of their body weight in food.The amount of food your dog needs depends on their health and activity levels.
Step 14: They need to brush their fur.
Belgian Malinois are clean and easy to care for.They don't require professional dog grooming, though you can always take them to a dog groomer to have their nails trimmed.It is possible to reduce skin irritation by brushing.Belgian dogs have short fur.Their coat will fall out twice a year as their body prepares for winter and summer weather.They need to brush the fur to keep it clean.They need to be brushed every day.
Step 15: They should trim their nails.
Many owners will give their dogs exercise by running on pavement or concrete.If the nails are not trimmed properly, they can be tough on the dog.Their nails need to be trimmed to protect them from breaking.A dog needs to have his nails trimmed every month.
Step 16: They should look at their skin for irritation.
tick or flea bites can cause irritation to your dog's skin.Check their skin for any signs of irritation.You may notice that the dog is scratching or biting at a certain spot on their body, which can be an indication that there is an issue there.If your dog has an allergy, you may want to use an over the counter medication.
Step 17: They need to brush their teeth.
Use a toothbrush that is specifically designed for use with dogs to clean their teeth.They should brush their teeth at least two or three times a week.Maintaining good oral health will be helped by this.If you condition the dog to enjoy brushing their teeth, you can reward them with praise and a small treat after brushing.
Step 18: They need to meet their needs.
Belgian Malinois are more at risk for certain medical conditions than other dogs.You can take preventative measures early on if you know what conditions they are susceptible to.They are at risk of hip dysplasia, like most larger dog breeds.If you adopt a dog that is genetically tested for hip dysplasia, you may not know the dog's genetic background.The dog's hips can be X-rayed to check for a condition.Some Belgian dogs are at risk of having cataracts.Cataracts can be removed through surgery as the dog gets older.There is some evidence to suggest that Belgian Malinois may be more susceptible to seizures.Take your dog to the vet if they begin to show signs of convulsions.
Step 19: Take them to a doctor.
When buying or adopting a Belgian Malinois, you need to take them to the vet as soon as possible to make sure they are healthy.Belgian Malinois require regular medical care to maintain their quality of life.Belgian Malinois need to have regular vaccinations for diseases.They need protection from parasites.
Step 20: Spay orneuter your dog.
If you don't want to use the dog for breeding, you should desex your pet between 6 and 9 months.Spaying or neutering your dog can increase their lifespan on an average of 1 to 3 years, reduce their risk for some diseases, and decrease aggressive behavior.Spaying or neutering your pet can help control the companion animal population.There are millions of dogs waiting in shelters for homes and sterilizing them reduces the animal population.
Step 21: Your dog has a chip.
Your contact information and your veterinarians information are contained in a chip.A simple procedure that can be completed during a regular visit is recommended by veterinarians.Your dog can be returned to you if it ever runs away, becomes lost, or is stolen.A small chip is usually implanted in the scruff of the dog's neck or over their shoulder blades where they can't reach it.