We have a Belgian Mallionois

[AllenK RGV]

He is smart. He is just emotionally stunted. How can you socialize tied to a tree?

 

[AllenK RGV]

You're awesome for rescuing him. He is super handsome! I'm a long time German Shepherd owner, but I've never had a mal. I have heard they can be pretty intense! Why do you think yours is not smart? I've always thought they seemed like an intelligent breed. Have you done any training with him? Does he get exercise? If he hasn't had much training, or he's having behavioral issues, you might want to get a good trainer to help you. Be sure the trainer is experienced with working breeds though. If you have a protection dog/sport club near you, it might be a good place to look for trainers experienced with mals and other similar breeds.

He gets worked quite a bit. I do not think he requires specialist training. Sure I can speak German to the dog to make it sound more official but I think Flemmish would be more appropriate. He is a good dern dog and leaves the chicken alone.

 

[linsybird]

We had a Malinois. She was an amazing watchdog. She was ridiculously eager to please people, well the ones she liked. She picked up stuff quick, but was a little crazy. She reminded me of that “crazy ex girlfriend” meme. After a lot of trying and too many chances we had to get rid of her. She killed too many chickens, and ended up nipping my son (who up until that point was her best friend). I found her a nice home with someone who had experience with the breed, no chickens, no kids, and plenty of land.

I’d like to get another Malinois one day, but I think I’d go with a male. All the girl dogs I’ve had are serious. She acted like an adult dog at 6 months while our male shepherd hasn’t outgrown his puppyhood at 3 years.

 

[AllenK RGV]

I do love how easy all of our Shepherds were compared to a Malinois.

 

[EverythingDucks]

Was he not being fed well before? Could be that he doesn't understand yet that he's going to be fed everyday. Sometimes they just get so worried that they won't get fed again so they're aggressive when eating.

 

[linsybird]

How old is he, and how long have you had him? He may just need to settle in more to feel comfortable enough. We had one dog that would grab us with his teeth if we pet too far down his back, but after 3-4 months he felt secure enough to stop. Poor guy, I’m sure it’s a big adjustment for him.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Was he not being fed well before? Could be that he doesn't understand yet that he's going to be fed everyday. Sometimes they just get so worried that they won't get fed again so they're aggressive when eating.

I really can not answer this question, I don't know what happened before I owned him. We just feed him in his own room and not with the other dogs. Until he gets a little more secure that his food is his. We have the time and patience for him.

We think he is two or three years old and we have had him about 3 months now.

 

[TwoShepherds]

If it's safe, you might try tossing treats into his bowl while he's eating so he learns that you give him things and you aren't going to take his food away. You could also try hand feeding him his meals for a while, but again you'd have to be sure that was safe.

 

[AllenK RGV]

If it's safe, you might try tossing treats into his bowl while he's eating so he learns that you give him things and you aren't going to take his food away. You could also try hand feeding him his meals for a while, but again you'd have to be sure that was safe.

I wish he was at a place you could mess with his bowl.

He isn't a shepherd he is a mallinois. As a former Shepherd owner there is a huge difference. Sheppherds are easy. I think it will take me a year to hand feed this dog.

He is still cute, works and takes commands.

 

[Gallimimus]

Beautiful mal! Now, I am a shepherd person, but I have always loved the mals as well. I have met a few and have been told that males are always a bit "goofy" just like with GSD's.

As for the food aggression. I would try the NILF method. No feeding in the bowl. Measure his food out and he gets it throughout the day as treats when he preforms tasks or does something you like. After a few weeks on NILIF, introduce the bowl again. Either with a muzzle, or an e-collar on(On vibrate!) If he growls at you, stiffens up, or barks, place your hand on the bowl(only if he has a muzzle and you are comfortable with that) until he calms down. Then you can reward with a treat, but remove the bowl of food and go back to NILIF. Or you can hit the vibrate on the e-collar(Vibrate works for most dogs, if it doesn't on him I would just go with the muzzle) then they are usually pretty surpised and move. Walk over. Remove the bowl. Put him in a down, sit, whatever, and give him a new treat, but take away the food bowl. Again, go back to the NILIF. Repeat.

I know a lot of people wouldn't be comfortable with that though. A powerful breed dog can be scary! That is just what I learned after working with a Army vet that runs a dog training facility near me. It has worked on most dogs. If it doesn't, he simply refers them to another trainer and/or a behaviorist who can better help.

You pup sounds like a great guy though. Glad you got him off the chain and in a good home.