05/17/2021
Placement pending 🙂
I have a 6.5 month old Malinois boy I bred that I’m just starting to look for the best placement for. He’s currently 44 pounds. I am looking for an owner dedicated to bringing out the best in him: a “the dog first, the sport second” kinda placement. Active pet homes considered. He was not a good fit for an urban search and rescue program due to environmental sensitivity. He went back to a home environment and a trainer experienced with the breed, and he’s making excellent progress.
Pros:
- Sweet, fun, flashy, biddable, sporty pocket rocket boy
- Appropriate and social with other dogs including toy breeds
- Nice prey, high possession
- Good food/high toy drive
- He’s got hops!
- Crate trained, house trained, no destructive habits
- Shines with both +R and balanced training methods, can take a fair correction
- Super cuddly lover boy
- AKC, microchipped, fully vetted
- OFA hip/elbow prelim good/normal. Both parents OFA hips, elbows and Embark tested.
- Currently with a professional trainer, New Leaf Canine Dog Training, for board and train who can continue with lessons (virtual or in person) if desired to improve transition.
Cons:
- Some environmental issues, rebounds in the same session but new buildings, slick floors and heavy urban environmentals are sometimes initially too much and he won’t work through it. He needs time to get comfortable, then he works.
- Developed bad habits in a kennel (not a crate, excellent in a crate) and I don’t want him back in a kennel situation. He needs to go to a home.
- Has some conflict issues, especially regarding possession, this is now improving but became engrained so it will be a long term process.
- A little too low threshold for my personal preference. Many people love his little tweak though.
- He will show avoidance/shut down under too much environmental or handler pressure.
- Not suitable for cats/small livestock home unless you are a professional trainer or have experience with predatory behavior in working dogs. He’s not the dog to learn on unless you’ve been wanting to bury your cat.
- NOT A BREEDING PROSPECT. Will be placed on non-breeding contract (can remain intact or be altered at maturity).
Prospect for AKC type obedience, rally, agility, disc, nosework, tracking, flyball, barn hunt, coursing, etc. He has the appropriate drives/grips for bitesports HOWEVER this will be a long term endeavor with the environmentals and conflict issues. I’m not saying no to bitework but I’m also not placing him as a candidate for someone with bitesport goals as a priority.
He could also be the active companion for someone not interested in sports but is going to give him a serious outlet to use drive and better him with training. Less environmentally stressful work like shed hunting, blood trailing, conservation detection etc a possibility with the right handler/job. He is NOT a working K9, detection, service dog or SAR prospect.
I’m not in a hurry to place him, he’s making huge strides being back with a Malinois savvy trainer but would love to start talking with someone. Allow me a few days to get back on messages. Located in Central Texas, ground transport possible.
All photos Wise K9 Photography, used with permission.