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Stories, Tips & Lessons

Honest writing about Belgian Malinois ownership. Training breakthroughs, gear that works, health lessons learned the hard way.

All Breed Guide Training Health & Nutrition Exercise & Activities Gear Reviews Lifestyle Puppy Development Behavior

Exercise & Activities Jan 31, 2026

Swimming With Your Belgian Malinois: What 88 Sessions Taught Us

Real lessons from introducing a Malinois to water. From first splash to full lake crossings, here is what actually works.

Exercise & Activities Jan 24, 2026

Trail Running With a Belgian Malinois: A Practical Guide

How we built a trail running routine with a high-drive Malinois. Gear, pacing, and what nobody tells you about running with this breed.

Breed Guide Jan 14, 2026

Your First Year With a Belgian Malinois: What Nobody Tells You

Honest expectations for the first 12 months with a Malinois. The good, the hard, and what actually helped us survive it.

Breed Guide Jan 4, 2026

Belgian Malinois Lifespan: What to Expect Year by Year

Malinois live 12-14 years on average. What each life stage brings, from wild puppy to dignified senior, and how to prepare.

Lifestyle Dec 21, 2025

Building a Routine: What a Typical Day with a Malinois Looks Like

Structure is everything with a Malinois. A real daily routine from morning to night, built from 4+ years of trial and error.

Gear Reviews Dec 7, 2025

Grooming Tools for Malinois: Managing the Double Coat

Malinois shed year-round and blow coat twice a year. The grooming tools and routine that keep the fur manageable.

Health & Nutrition Nov 23, 2025

Bloat in Deep-Chested Breeds: Prevention and Emergency Response

Bloat kills dogs in hours. Every Malinois owner needs to know the signs, prevention strategies, and emergency response protocol.

Behavior Nov 9, 2025

When to Hire a Behaviorist: Signs You Need Professional Help

There's no shame in calling a professional. The behaviors that warrant expert help and how to find a good behaviorist for your Malinois.

Training Oct 26, 2025

Why Harsh Training Methods Backfire with Malinois

Malinois are sensitive under the tough exterior. Why punishment-based training creates worse problems and what to do instead.

Lifestyle Oct 12, 2025

Dating and Family Life with a High-Drive Dog

Your Malinois will judge your dates and test your family dynamics. Real talk about relationships, kids, and guests with a high-drive dog.

Breed Guide Sep 28, 2025

Why Malinois End Up in Rescue (And How to Avoid Being That Owner)

Malinois are one of the most surrendered breeds. The patterns that lead to rescue and what separates successful owners from those who give up.

Health & Nutrition Sep 14, 2025

Seasonal Allergies in Malinois: Signs, Triggers and Management

If your Malinois itches, chews paws, or gets ear infections seasonally, it's probably allergies. How to identify triggers and manage symptoms.

Puppy Development Aug 31, 2025

First Year Vet Visits: Vaccinations, Screening and What to Expect

The first year vet schedule for a Malinois puppy. Every visit, every vaccine, every screening, and what questions to ask.

Gear Reviews Aug 17, 2025

Best Dog Food Brands for Active Malinois (What We Actually Feed)

After trying dozens of brands, here's what we actually feed Coco and why. No affiliate hype, just real feeding experience.

Training Aug 3, 2025

Advanced Training: Nosework, Agility and Dog Sports for Malinois

Malinois excel at dog sports. An intro to nosework, agility, and other sports that channel their drive into something structured.

Exercise & Activities Jul 20, 2025

Fetch with a Malinois: Teaching, Managing and Avoiding Obsession

Fetch is easy to start and hard to stop with a Malinois. Teaching a healthy fetch habit without creating ball obsession.

Behavior Jul 6, 2025

Jumping and Impulse Control: Channeling Malinois Enthusiasm

A Malinois that jumps on everyone isn't excited. They lack impulse control. How to channel that enthusiasm into something productive.

Lifestyle Jun 22, 2025

Can a Malinois Live in an Apartment? Honest Answer

Everyone says no. The real answer is more complicated. What apartment living with a Malinois requires and when it actually works.

Breed Guide Jun 8, 2025

Belgian Malinois Temperament: What the Breed Standard Doesn't Tell You

The breed standard says 'alert and watchful.' It doesn't mention the velcro behavior, the intensity, or the emotional complexity.

Health & Nutrition May 25, 2025

Supplements for Active Dogs: What Works and What's Marketing

The supplement market preys on dog owners. After years of research and vet consults, here's what actually helps an active Malinois.

Training May 11, 2025

Teaching a Malinois to Relax (Yes, They Need to Learn This)

Relaxation doesn't come naturally to a Malinois. It's a trained skill. How we taught Coco to settle, and what 256 resting photos in our library really mean.

Puppy Development Apr 27, 2025

When Is a Malinois Full Grown? Physical vs Mental Maturity

A Malinois reaches physical size before mental maturity. The real timeline for both, and why the gap between them matters.

Gear Reviews Apr 13, 2025

Essential Malinois Gear: What You Need and What's Marketing

Skip the overpriced accessories. After 4+ years, these are the only gear items that actually matter for a Malinois household.

Exercise & Activities Mar 30, 2025

Mental Stimulation Games That Actually Tire Out a Malinois

Physical exercise alone won't cut it. The mental games, puzzles, and training exercises that actually drain Malinois energy.

Lifestyle Mar 16, 2025

Malinois and Other Dogs: Making Multi-Dog Households Work

Malinois can live with other dogs, but it takes management. Real experience with introductions, space sharing, and preventing conflicts.

Behavior Mar 2, 2025

Excessive Barking: When It's Communication vs When It's a Problem

Malinois are vocal dogs. Telling the difference between meaningful barking and problem barking, and what to do about each.

Training Feb 16, 2025

Why Your Malinois Ignores You (And How to Fix It)

Your Malinois isn't stubborn. They've just learned that ignoring you works. How to rebuild engagement and actually get listened to.

Health & Nutrition Feb 2, 2025

Hip and Joint Health in Malinois: Prevention Starts at Puppyhood

Protecting your Malinois's joints starts before they're full grown. Screening, exercise choices, and what actually prevents problems.

Puppy Development Jan 19, 2025

The Adolescent Malinois: Surviving the 8 to 18 Month Phase

Your perfect puppy just became a teenage nightmare. What happens during Malinois adolescence and how to come out the other side intact.

Breed Guide Jan 5, 2025

The Real Cost of Owning a Belgian Malinois (5 Year Breakdown)

Malinois aren't cheap to own. A real 5-year cost breakdown covering food, vet bills, training, gear, and the things nobody warns you about.

Gear Reviews Dec 22, 2024

Harnesses vs Collars for Malinois: What Actually Works

After testing both for years, here's the honest take on harnesses vs collars for a strong, high-drive Malinois.

Training Dec 8, 2024

Leash Training a Malinois: From Pulling Machine to Loose Leash

A 60-pound Malinois that pulls is no joke. The progression from dragging you down the street to walking like a normal dog.

Exercise & Activities Nov 24, 2024

Winter Exercise: Keeping a Malinois Active in Cold Weather

Cold doesn't slow a Malinois down, but it changes what works. Winter exercise strategies from someone with 39 snow photos in our library.

Puppy Development Nov 10, 2024

Fear Periods in Malinois Puppies: What They Are and How to Handle Them

Your bold Malinois puppy is suddenly afraid of everything. Fear periods are normal. How to handle them without creating lasting damage.

Behavior Oct 27, 2024

Destructive Behavior: What Your Malinois is Actually Telling You

A Malinois that destroys things isn't bad. They're communicating. Decoding destructive behavior and addressing the real cause.

Lifestyle Oct 13, 2024

Traveling with a Malinois: Road Trips, Boarding and Separation

Taking a Malinois on the road or leaving them behind both require planning. What works for road trips, boarding, and travel prep.

Health & Nutrition Sep 29, 2024

Belgian Malinois Health Issues: What Owners Should Screen For

Malinois are generally healthy but not bulletproof. The conditions to screen for, when to test, and what our vet recommends.

Training Sep 15, 2024

Recall Training for Malinois: Building Off-Leash Reliability

A Malinois with reliable recall changes everything. The progression from long-line to off-leash, and the mistakes that set you back.

Puppy Development Sep 1, 2024

Puppy Feeding Guide: Portions, Frequency and When to Switch

How much to feed a Malinois puppy at every stage. Portions, meal frequency, and when to transition to adult food.

Behavior Aug 18, 2024

Separation Anxiety in Malinois: Prevention and Management

Malinois bond hard. When that bond creates panic at being alone, here's what actually helps, from gradual training to daily structure.

Exercise & Activities Aug 4, 2024

Summer Heat and Exercise: Adjusting for Your Malinois

Malinois don't self-regulate in heat. How to adjust exercise, spot overheating, and keep them active when temperatures climb.

Breed Guide Jul 21, 2024

Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd: Real Differences That Matter

They look similar but live very differently. A practical comparison from someone who chose the Malinois and would do it again.

Gear Reviews Jul 7, 2024

Best Toys for Malinois: What Survives and What Doesn't

Malinois destroy most toys in minutes. After 4+ years and dozens of destroyed products, these are the ones that actually last.

Training Jun 23, 2024

Socialization Windows: The Critical Period That Shapes Everything

The first 16 weeks shape your Malinois's entire personality. What socialization actually means and the mistakes that cost you later.

Puppy Development Jun 9, 2024

The Maligator Phase: Surviving Puppy Biting and Teething

Malinois puppies bite everything. Hard. What worked to get through the maligator phase without losing your hands or your sanity.

Lifestyle May 26, 2024

Living with a Malinois: Home Setup and Daily Routines

Your home needs to work for a Malinois. Practical setup, daily structure, and the routines that keep both of you sane.

Exercise & Activities May 12, 2024

How Much Exercise Does a Malinois Actually Need?

Everyone says 2 hours. The real answer is more nuanced. What 636 documented moments taught us about Malinois exercise needs.

Health & Nutrition Apr 28, 2024

Feeding a High-Energy Malinois: Calories, Protein and What Matters

Malinois burn calories like a furnace. What to feed, how much, and which nutrition myths to ignore, based on real feeding experience.

Behavior Apr 14, 2024

Understanding Malinois Prey Drive: Management Not Elimination

Your Malinois's prey drive isn't a behavior problem. It's breed heritage. How to manage, redirect, and live with it day to day.

Training Mar 31, 2024

Crate Training a Malinois: From Screaming to Safe Space

Crate training a Malinois tests your patience. What actually worked, the mistakes we made, and why the crate became Coco's favorite spot.

Puppy Development Mar 17, 2024

Malinois Puppy Growth Chart: Month by Month Size and Milestones

Track your Malinois puppy's growth with real data. Month-by-month size milestones from Coco's first year, from 2 months to full grown.

Breed Guide Mar 3, 2024

Is a Belgian Malinois Right for You? The Honest Reality Check

Before you get a Malinois, read this. An honest look at what daily life actually demands, from someone who's lived it for 4+ years.