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Ever wonder why Belgian Malinois are nicknamed Maligators?

If you've got a Malinois puppy, it's probably crystal clear.

Here's the puppy survival guide I wish someone gave me, before raising my last two Malinois. 👇

Weekly Bite

If you're feeling overwhelmed by your puppy's energy and love for biting - you're not alone.

The first time I met Aki and his littermates, they showed me why they're called Maligators.

Let's just say that I've since learned to keep my face out of reach from their sharp teeth.

But that’s not the only lesson I learned the hard way…

Here's everything I've learned after raising two Belgian Malinois puppies.👇️

1️⃣ Redirect undesirable behavior with rewards

Don’t punish them for mouthing you or being reactive to strangers.

Instead, redirect their attention on to food or toys that they love.

The key is to keep rewards on you at all times and give them an incompatible behavior.

2️⃣ Mental exhaustion > physical

A tired puppy is a good puppy - but tired minds matter more than tired bodies.

Keep training sessions short (~5 minutes), fun, and always end on a high note.

Minimize the amount they run and jump to protect their joints as they develop.

3️⃣ Feed by hand, ditch the bowl

Raising a puppy starts with building a relationship.

Trainers call it building engagement, but it’s the fastest way to teach your dog to focus on you.

4️⃣ Learn dog training theory

Learn from an online trainer before hiring an in-person trainer.

Check out Pat Stuart’s free 50-minute video course and cheat sheet - The Overview.

It’s got everything you need to know about dog training from 50,000 ft.

5️⃣ Socialization > isolation

Expose them to everything during critical periods (8-16 weeks).

Isolation creates bigger problems than controlled, positive experiences.

TL;DR: Surviving puppyhood is about management first, training second. Redirect their natural behaviors instead of fighting them - this phase doesn't last forever.

Tail End

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Until next Thursday, ✌️

Sam