All good; my third Malinois is nine years old in few weeks. Yes, no harsh methods needed for almost everything; for dumb bell, I use Ivan's method of simply small bit of hotdog. Not as good as the old time method but best for these small shepherds. Butt dragging never noted. Digging yes, normal everywhere for short time; Inside wire crate same but never noted on tile floors. Head tilting yes, nailed it. Mine are inside day and night but in morning hours on fenced area back deck; he has sliding glass door with screen so keeps track on inside. This is important. As we move around inside the house and he's curious, we will softly say a few words. Spontaneously. These will learn words or phrases with the soft tones upon a bit of aging. When he runs the fenced yard, handler with him 20-30 minutes 2-3 times per day. These have to be around handler. Nipping at heels, yes, until close to age three. I just say 'ouch' whenever I feel that pinch. For noobs, these will not grip the handler unless you have sleeve or suit. All non bite work simply use the bite stick for reward and all good. The only time I ever noticed an emotional pain in one of these happened a few hours after he gave me too much play grip on arm. When checking ears and teeth before entering night wire crate in our bedroom, (he has another wire crate in living room, but needed rarely as they age) I pointed to my sore he left. This is exactly what he did: he placed his head flat on the carpet (he was already down, I'm sitting next to him) and covered his eyes with his foreleg. I almost teared up. :) These are beautiful dogs and like all dogs, they are like a two year old child. They need their people.
All good; my third Malinois is nine years old in few weeks. Yes, no harsh methods needed for almost everything; for dumb bell, I use Ivan's method of simply small bit of hotdog. Not as good as the old time method but best for these small shepherds. Butt dragging never noted. Digging yes, normal everywhere for short time; Inside wire crate same but never noted on tile floors. Head tilting yes, nailed it. Mine are inside day and night but in morning hours on fenced area back deck; he has sliding glass door with screen so keeps track on inside. This is important. As we move around inside the house and he's curious, we will softly say a few words. Spontaneously. These will learn words or phrases with the soft tones upon a bit of aging. When he runs the fenced yard, handler with him 20-30 minutes 2-3 times per day. These have to be around handler. Nipping at heels, yes, until close to age three. I just say 'ouch' whenever I feel that pinch. For noobs, these will not grip the handler unless you have sleeve or suit. All non bite work simply use the bite stick for reward and all good. The only time I ever noticed an emotional pain in one of these happened a few hours after he gave me too much play grip on arm. When checking ears and teeth before entering night wire crate in our bedroom, (he has another wire crate in living room, but needed rarely as they age) I pointed to my sore he left. This is exactly what he did: he placed his head flat on the carpet (he was already down, I'm sitting next to him) and covered his eyes with his foreleg.
I almost teared up. :) These are beautiful dogs and like all dogs, they are like a two year old child. They need their people.