France in Focus

A few days ago, OH and I had just returned from a walk and were in front of our house with our dog who was sitting quietly on a lead. A neighbour is temporarily living in his camping car parked in a field gateway opposite. When his dog, a 3 year old uncastrated male Malinois, loose, walked towards ours, he half-heartedly called it back. It suddenly lunged at our dog, going for his throat and back of the neck. Fortunately OH managed to get away and take our dog inside. The neighbour booted his dog into his camping car, saying that the dog had never done that before. This is contrary to what he told us a few weeks ago. He said that his dog attacked other dogs but that since he'd "dissuaded" him with an electric collar, he no longer did so.

Our poor little dog was very traumatised and shook like a leaf once inside the house, but OH brought him back outside and he seemed fine. We told the neighbour that he should have the dog castrated and that he was dangerous. Our dog is not in the slightest bit aggressive towards other dogs and made little attempt to defend himself when attacked.
What really pissed us off was that the neighbour made no real attempt to recall the dog. I reckon he's actually quite afraid of the dog : we all know if he'd gone for the dog's collar that the dog would have turned round and bitten him.

This happened a few days ago and we've decided we're going to the Gendarmerie to make a Main Courante declaration. We get on fine with our neighbour and don't want to make waves. However, the dog, who is normally on a chain by the camping car, is loose when taken for a walk.
We don't want to make a complaint, just create a record (maybe someone has already done this !). That said, there is no guarantee that if the dog attacked and injured another dog that the Gendarmerie would think of checking the Mains Courantes - they would only check complaints.

Just to add : We have no issue whatever with our neighbour and his camping car. He lets his cottage from time to time as an income supplement.

Malinois can be very aggressive and very dangerous if not properly trained. Your neighbor has allowed the dog to become the master. Never a good idea with a Malinois. I'd be petrified.

If the neighbor did not promise to keep the dog contained on a leash or in a fenced area, I would make a complaint also. Dogs and young children are not safe near him.

I don't know much about Malinois but from the circumatances (chain...) and Lori's remarks, I agree, it sounds like a dangerous and sad situation.

Our neighbour's wife left him 2 years ago - one of the problems was the dog : she had a little fluffy thing and was afraid the Malinois would hurt it. The husband didn't want to get rid of the dog so the wife left him ....

Yes, I agree the dog is dangerous and cannot be trusted with other dogs. If there's the slightest hint of a repeat of the situation, we'll make a formal complaint.

In the meantime, we have a pair of walking batons that someone left behind, and an air spray, though a water pistol with a vinegar mixture would be more effective. I wouldn't hesitate to use it - it would make that horrible creature's eyes burn.

I've nothing against the breed - they're very popular as police and guard dogs here. Since the Alsatian breed (or German Shepherd if you prefer) was ruined by the Kennel Club and bad breeding, it's an excellent replacement as a working dog. It's a lot lighter and probably faster as well.

However, the Malinois should be trained young, and gently. Sadly, our neighbour has always roared at it and clearly didn't give it proper training from a pup. Why do so many men here shout at their dogs "Je t'ai dit de ne pas bouger" or "Je t'ai dit de coucher" ?? If it's not obedient at 3 years old, and he's been using an electric collar, it doesn't sound like gentle training, but more the use of force. Sad for the dog.

The dog in question was not invited chez nous at the front of our house, nor was there any question of being a threat. The dog knows us well - we even baby sat him for 2 weeks last year when our neighbour was away ..... I've taken him for walks (always on some sort of lead or long rope) and he was very good. But we never met any other dogs ...

A Malinois would never be our choice. How can that possibly compare with a cuddly Aussie or Border Collie ?

L Austin France wrote: ↑Sun Aug 27, 2023 4:24 pm https://www.hepper.com/belgian-malinois-pros-and-cons/

I had never heard the term "Maligator" but oh it seems SOOO appropriate. I also think that particular article doesn't describe how aggressive the breed can be. I think they are the number 1 police dog breed just above the German Shepard in many parts of the world.

What a nasty experience for your dog and for the two of you. Yes, it should be reported as the next time it could be fatal - for a dog or a child.

I have to admit that I do raise my voice to the dogs from time to time. Sometimes, when five border collies kick off, it's a case of making yourself heard.

In more general terms, shouting to one dog or another, or indeed all, is indicative of fun and a game on.

Loup-garou wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 8:16 am In more general terms, shouting to one dog or another, or indeed all, is indicative of fun and a game on.

Yes, and when one dog is attacking another, shouting will only egg him on. It's unnecessary to roar at a dog telling it to sit, stand, lie down etc when the dog is next to them. And it's so often preceded by "Je t'ai dit ....". It's nothing more than bad training/educating.

As an aside, all our border collies and aussies have gone deaf with age so we are teaching Rafal signs at the same time as commands. We used signs with the aussies and it worked well. They were still able to hear clapping hands though.