Baby-sitting a Malinois

[Lori]

There is a lady in the town where we live that has a Malinois. When we walk past her house, if the dog is out, he runs towards us barking like mad. Scares the he** out of you. And, the terrain is not closed. They keep the portail open all the time. We've kind of gotten used to it, but it is quite startling.

Same dog if taken into town in the car while madam purchases something from the boulangerie across from our house, he/she will twist and turn, round and round, non stop - front seat, back seat, front seat, back seat, body turning round and round as his moves from front to back. It is exhausting just watching it.

[Blaze]

Rex is very good when left in the house if we go out. Apparently he barked this morning when I was working but calmed down when OH played with him, threw a ball etc. He doesn't bark if anyone passes by the house but then he can't see over the high wall .... Our garden is completely enclosed and he doesn't seem interested in trying to get out. We haven't the confidence in him to let him off the lead when we take him for a walk - his owner said he could go for other dogs. A walk on the lead will never tire him out so we do it for a change of scene but his exercise has to be in the garden where he has the space to run around.

[Sparkle]

@blaze I salute you for taking on Rex - I wouldn't as I'm a too scaredy cat. Some years ago we looked after a friends bichon frise. A lovely dog but they did say that he would have to sleep in our bedroom otherwise he would howl all night - we tried him in the hall and he howwwwled you'd have thought he was being butchered! They also said he ate a cooked dinner with them but we mustn't give him pork. The following morning (Sunday) was bacon sarnie morning - he was going berserk for a bacon sarnie which of course he didn't get. When the friends came to collect him and we mentioned the bacon sarnie they said........oh he can have bacon......eh That left us scratching our heads!

[Blaze]

@blaze I salute you for taking on Rex - I wouldn't as I'm a too scaredy cat.

It's early days and it feels like a huge mistake because we really didn't know what we were taking on. Seeing him in his own environment isn't the same - we had no idea just how demanding and busy he would be. We have at least got him stop bothering Sweep by using the word "Stop". Everything else has to be in French and, typically, everything is 2 syllables (assis, couchez, au pied) and he's obviously learnt "dehors" !

He's funny about his food : his owner leaves a bowl of croquettes down for him and he helps himself when he wants. He's not greedy and doesn't seem to eat very much. We can't do that here or Sweep would have them.
However ..... he stole a piece of Laguiole cheese that OH left on the island in the kitchen, not far enough out of reach it would seem ...

[Sparkle]

@Blaze I think you're gonna need a rest and a holiday at the end of the baby sitting and you're only 4 days in?

[Lori]

@blaze I salute you for taking on Rex - I wouldn't as I'm a too scaredy cat.

However ..... he stole a piece of Laguiole cheese that OH left on the island in the kitchen, not far enough out of reach it would seem ...

Ah, he outsmarted you for the cheese.

We could leave a bowl of food for Toutou and he would just eat when he wanted. However, when we babysat my mother's Sheltie, no food could be left anywhere in reach of him outside specific meal time. He would eat until he popped.

You have my sympathy as I don't think I could babysit a Malinois for more than a weekend.

[Blaze]

The thing is he's funny, makes us laugh, is affectionate when he wants something and is really sweet. It just takes time for us to get to know each other.
He's just dropped his revolting soggy ball on OH's lap

[Lori]

Oh, how I miss those soggy toys.

[Blaze]

Rex's owner should be back some time this week and we can't say we're not relieved ! He's generally very obedient (assis, couché etc) and if he starts woofing round the corner, I whistle and he comes back immediately. He's learnt to stop bothering Sweep which for us was the most important thing of all. Sweep doesn't seem in the slightest bit bothered by his visit, in fact she seems to be enjoying it. He loves playing with his indestructible ball and is very good on the lead - we daren't let him off because although it's highly unlikely he wouldn't come back, his owner says he has attacked a couple of dogs.

There are certain obvious things we never do : grab him by his collar or scruff or physically try to take something away from him. Everything is by "command" sometimes with a hand signal. The word "stop" works very well. He's affectionate though I get the feeling he's never been stroked or fussed over, and he's started wagging his tail when we come down in the morning, something I've never seen him do before.

We've had to put barriers up to stop him going everywhere in the house so that we can have some peace (they're a pain in the bum). I hate housework, but I've been obliged to clean the floor more often than usual ..... And he can open doors ....

Sadly, neither of us really trusts him. The way he attacked my broom showed quite another side of him. He was ordered outside very firmly and fortunately obeyed. He has also shown us signs of being contraried such as chasing his tail if shut out. But overall, he's settled well and doesn't make a squeak at night.

Rex.JPG

[tagh]

There is a big Malinois behind the hedge at the back of my place; his bark is quite intimidating for passers by but I have discovered his weakness. Just say ‘ Va chercher ta balle’ and he rushes off to fetch whichever is his favourite toy of the moment and silence reigns.