New member from PA!

[Pgh2466]

Hello everyone,
I'm obviously new and I'm looking at getting a DS. I was introduced to the breed by my uncle who's K9 (work dog) is a DS and it's a beautiful and incredibly smart breed. I'm a veteran who wants a family protection dog (man stopper) and a emotional support dog. So I decided to start my research on DS. Thank you in advanced!

My biggest question....
Dose anyone know of any reputable breeders in Pennsylvania or wishing 300-400mile of PA? And if this need to be put in another thread yell at me and I will do so! Thanks

[Raven]

Welcome!

I can't address your inquiry about breeders in that area, but I'll say only half-kidding that my adopted DSs weren't beasts who gave emotional support. Rather, I took up when they entered my life.

Best wishes on your journey, and glad you are researching the breed. Please read through a lot of threads---you'll learn a lot.

Is your uncle in law enforcement or military?

[Dutchringgirl]

Welcome !!!

They are great dogs. May I ask what kind of Emotional support you need? You can PM me if you dont want to talk in "public".

I only ask because they are great supports, but they are also a very sensitive breed and can get upset quite easily by their humans upset.

Also, not all of them are "healers" . My Thalie is a healer, when I am sad she will come to me and sit with me.
Sadie...........forget it, if you are upset, you are on your own.

So if you are looking for a specific "something " from this breed it will be a crap shoot.

Also........ what is your plan for a job? Exercise? Mentally as well as physically. Alot of people look to this breed as a protection dog, but then dont understand what they need for them.

My parents have a Basset hound and she is great at emotional support and protection. She has a HUGE bark. Anyone coming to their house to break in and hears her bark will think there is a HUGE dog in there .

Will you be home with the dog?

[Pgh2466]

Raven he is law enforcement and thank you!

Dutchravengirl I plan on going in the reserves bc well I miss the Corps, civilian job I'm currently getting welding certificates but if it dose not work out I'll be going LEO. I'm extremely active and will make sure whatever dog I get is involved in my fitness as well as daily life. I plan on getting working papers for the dog. And he will be put threw LE training after obedience training. I guess as far as a emotional support dog it's more of the active training and bonding with the dog I'd be looking for. I don't have PTSD but forms of anxiety that something like a dog could possibly take my mind off. Thank you.

[Owned-By-Hendrix]

So there's two different types of dogs for this - LE dogs need a whole different mindset than dogs aimed for more ESA work. If you want protection as your main point, especially a true man stopper, you'll want a dog that is unflappable, strong nerves, and slightly civil (this latter I hesitate on because it really depends on the dog - biting flesh is different than a suit.) Any dog chosen for service work, is more submissive and solid nerve, however, also doesn't have any protection instincts. Now, DS will naturally offer intense bonding and work ethic like an ESA, however with anxiety you have to spend extra time teaching it just because you get anxious does not mean to leap out and start barking and growling. Also, I would highly recommend if you have anxiety, teach it to not bite unless commanded. I know some LE teach certain situations to bite without instruction but with a DS and anxiety, I prefer the backup of not doing anything unless commanded. And this usually doesn't translate to the house - my dog has stopped intruders with and without my presence in the house, but when out I want security measures in place just because I can get anxious just in the normal course of daily life and he's very in tune with me.

And like Lisa mentioned, there are dogs who will curl up with you and cuddle and others won't. Mine won't - only at night and I can't cuddle but I can sometimes lay an arm over him. His version of cuddling is "touching mom". He will not seek me out if I'm feeling bad.

I would also have a mental activity with physical - obedience and protection only go so far especially in bad weather. Nose work and other fun games are awesome, as is agility.

As far as breeders, I don't know of a reputable one in PA and I'll have to check distances for the others I know. Do you mean 300-400 mi outside the PA boarder or a certain city?

[Pgh2466]

Owned-By-Hendrix thanks for the time and response. I understand. I guess I'm not so much looking for a ESD but a family protection dog. My uncles work dog is command driven. So I want the same obviously as a civilian I want that control. So in conclusion I'm not so worried about a ESD then a protection dog. I can control my emotions it's usually in public(crowded areas) I have problems. How soon after birth should they start training? And 300-400miles from Pittsburgh area. But if nothing I'll travel for best breeders and pay for good blood lines.

I want to get a DS and to be as responsible and smart as possible so thanks for the info and time. I'm still learning.

[Owned-By-Hendrix]

No worries - sorry if my post may have come off as preachy or rude, I was typing fast and just trying to word vomit without thinking of order!

I'll send you a PM with breeders who I would recommend.

I let them be a puppy for a month or two, just work on environmental and engagement, playing around, getting to know each other, then I start obedience and tug/bite work. Everything is positive and fun until I know they know what they're supposed to be and can mentally handle harder (than a leash pop) corrections. Depending on the dog, I may not even do tug/bite work training until after teeth or even a year if genetically they have good grip and bite mechanics and just work on environmental and obedience.

[Pgh2466]

Roger. Your good rather you word vomit then be simple and not helpful. Yeah my uncles was explaing a bit to me about corrections. I'm going to bring my dog to a school in WV called for battle ridge kennels and k9 services seems good but I'll do more research. Thank you

[Owned-By-Hendrix]

HAH I literally just included them in my list to you! I've heard good things about them but never dealt with them. I believe another member on the site is getting a pup from them soon.

[Pgh2466]

Well that's good then. Thank you

[Mark77]

Check out Mace's Malinois in Pennsylvania. He has both Mal's and sometimes Dutchies. I got my dog Asia from him and she's been exceptional. She's half Mal and half Dutch, purpose bred by a trainer who owned her father but wanted to introduce some lines that the mother had. Asia was the pick of the litter from the original owner of her dad who is a competitive Shutzhund trainer. She is about as calm of a KNPV dog as you might find. Just absolutely the sweetest dog, she loves people, but tends to be shy at times. She is also the smallest of three I own at only 50 pounds but is by far the one that rules the house with over the top aggression when needed- I'm talking explosive aggression, she keeps my 85 pound dog Riddick in check. She is however a one person dog, never leaves my side as long as I am home. Her mom was a Mal named Michka.


http://www.macesmalinois.com/malinois_g ... itters.php