Dogs of the Belgian Malinois breed are particularly interested in cats. They never fail to react adversely to felines. Perhaps it’s in their genes, and that’s why this breed should undergo proper exposure training.
This training is particularly focused on having a dog not react to felines. This Belgian Malinois named Colleen was trained, and she aced her test when she spotted a neighbor’s cat chilling in the driveway and didn’t attack. We think this dog has strong self-control, thanks to her owner’s proper training.
Dogs of the Belgian Malinois breed have a high prey drive. Prey drive is defined as the element in a dog’s makeup that makes him want to do the natural thing he was born to do. For dogs, this means chasing and attacking small moving animals.
The high prey drive of the Belgian Malinois is often seen in dogs used as working dogs in law enforcement and the military. Thanks to their diligence and prowl, they make for great catch dogs or dogs trained in apprehending criminals.
But what about when they’re at home? How can you make sure your high-strung pooch doesn’t go after your feline friend? Proper exposure training is the answer.
Belgian Malinois owners must take care to properly train their dogs from a young age if they want their furry friend to coexist peacefully with cats. This is done through exposure and desensitization training.
With exposure training, the dog is simply exposed to cats in different situations until the dog becomes accustomed to their presence.
While it may seem impossible, with patience and consistency, even the most high-strung of these pups can learn to coexist peacefully with felines.
So if you’re thinking about getting a Belgian Malinois, you know what to do.
With proper training, they can be calm and dependable protectors, just like Colleen!
Credits to Malinois Dog Training via YouTube