5 Things You Must Never Do to Your Belgian Malinois
Originally bred in Malines, Belgium, the Belgian
Malinois is a dog with lots of stamina and intelligence, and they are able to do well
in different tasks and activities. Although they were initially used as herding
dogs, they now do well as police and military dogs, service dogs and as part of a family. As a Belgian Malinois owner, there are some
things you must never do to ensure you help your dog reach their full potential, that’s
why in this video, we bring to you 5 things you must never do to your Belgian Malinois.
But first, if you love our content, then don’t
forget to subscribe to our channel, because we constantly bring you useful info that will
help you be a better pet owner. Let’s get started. 1. Not Giving Them a Job. Your Belgian Malinois needs a job. These highly intelligent dogs are almost always
on the go and will get themselves into trouble if they don't have something to keep them
busy. Get them involved in agility classes or involve
them in dog competitions, just make sure whatever they do will provide them with loads of mental
stimulation. Note that your dog will be happiest when they
know what’s expected of them and are given clear boundaries, being spontaneous and inconsistent
will only confuse your dog and make it hard for them to follow rules or commands. 2. Not Correcting Their Biting and Nipping Behavior. Because of their herding background, Belgian
Malinois have a tendency to bite or nip at the heels especially when playing. This behavior mostly shows itself when they’re
around kids who play roughly as they’ll try to keep them in line by nipping at their
heels.
You need to teach your dog that this is unacceptable,
and do your best to socialize them properly with kids. Not correcting this behavior can cause issues
later and might be dangerous for your kids. 3. Not Giving Them Enough Exercise. Everything about the Belgian Malinois was
geared towards being useful, and their whole personality revolves around working or doing
something stimulating. These dogs don’t just need exercise, they
require intense exercise that will engage them both physically and mentally. Leaving your dog without anything useful to
do can result in deep holes in your garden or damaged furniture and appliances. Use plenty of games of fetch and long jogs
to tire them out and stop them from becoming destructive. 4. Leaving Them Alone for Too Long. The Belgian Malinois wasn’t made to be left
alone for long hours on end. They get bored quickly when left on their
own and will turn to destructive actions.
Leaving them alone for too long can lead to
separation anxiety and even fear biting. If you work fulltime, getting another dog
as a companion for your dog is a great alternative. Note though that your Belgian Malinois can
be aggressive towards other dogs unless they’re brought up together from puppyhood. You need to start early if you want your dog
to get along with other dogs or animal. 5. Forgetting Vet Visits. Although Belgian Malinois are mostly healthy,
they still have to deal with certain health issues, and you need to keep track of this
issues to make sure you provide your Belgian Malinois with the best care possible.
Note though that what you feed them and how
much food they eat also has a part to play when it comes to their health. Make sure you take them to the vet regularly
and don’t forget to ask about their diet and nutrition, that way, you’ll be aware
of issues before it becomes dangerous, and help them stay with you longer. The bottom line is, although Belgian Malinois
are loving and loyal, they were bred to be working dogs and need owners who are ready
to invest a lot of time into their exercise and training. This is not a low-maintenance breed and you
need to dedicate a large amount of time and energy into caring for them.
You’ll be rewarded though, with an intelligent,
active, and energetic dog who will bring a lot of joy to you. So, do you own a Belgian Malinois? What is your dog like? Please leave a comment below..
