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WHY I NEVER PLAY FETCH! I DO THIS INSTEAD! BELGIAN MALINOIS TRAINING!

Andy Krueger Dog Training

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What's up everyone! This week's video breaks down why I never play fetch with my Belgian Malinois AND what I do instead! I know it may sound crazy at first, BUT, safety is always my #1 priority for an active sport dog. If you have a big, fast and strong Malinois, and regularly throw a toy for them to retrieve, it is inevitable that at some point they will experience an injury. While for some it is no big deal, for me it is an unnecessary risk especially during competition season! Just food for thought!

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20 Comments

@arctodussimus6198 2 years ago (edited)

I had a Malinois for almost 14 years. He was the greatest dog. Was by my side every day of his life. Went to work with me, to the grocery store… absolutely everywhere.
Was the most obedient, intelligent, and loyal dog I ever had.
He climbed trees, ladders, and sometimes brick walls.
Absolutely fearless.
But he had separation anxiety big time.
He once chewed through a welded wire fence to get to me when I left him in a friend’s yard for an hour.
Best friend I ever had.
He went under eight years ago and I still miss him terribly.
🐾

@esproducciones1443 3 years ago (edited)

Update on Ace - I have gotten him involved in playing some of the games https://www.youtube.com/post/Ugkx1_veP7CApJK_GWy_TczaMciuG64PqJeU and I can see a difference in his confidence already! My other dog played along and he became intrigued - now its a daily part of our routine - about 3 times a day we do the shell game and the muffin tin game. I am so grateful for coming upon your training techniques!

@K9UnitAustralia 4 years ago (edited)

100% agree with this. Over the years ive had a few dogs that have injured their legs chasing balls. It’s usually a hole or jumping. Now i just use tug toys.

@jessicaashley6077 3 years ago

My GSD service dog tripped over the tug and ripped its metacarpal pad in half... now he is on bed rest and can't work. Never thought about it. Good advice!

@adestradoronline 2 years ago

Man! As a professional dog trainer for 27 years and owner of a 10 year old mali, I can say this is a premium advice! My girl got hurt many times because it took time for me to realize it! Best advice ever. Gratz

@neuralnoise06 4 years ago (edited)

I can totally relate to this, used to happen all the time, nowadays i ask her to sit wait, throw her the ball really far and then ask her to look for it, feels like is both mentally and physically stimulating that way

@griffinreitz7041 4 years ago

I encourage clients to play a "structured" game of fetch. The dog sits, heals, or downs, they throw the toy and send the dog after it. It slows things down a LOT, makes the dog think, and most importantly keeps the toy on the ground. I cringe every time I see a large dog "getting air" and their owners thinking it's a great idea.

My last big male would come in so hard he was constantly sore in the front end. Making him wait and sending him solved all of that. He played, literally , till the day he died. I do really like the idea of "warming up"

@tonymontes8840 3 years ago

This is good stuff........I'm learning too!
We picked up a stray puppy off a busy hwy, She was filthy, a bit undernourished, but extremely calm.
We stayed in the area for a couple hours thinking someone might be looking for her.
We finally decided to take her with, opened the passenger door and she hopped in, laying on my wife's lap asleep and warm.
Took her to the Vet the following morning, too young for a chip, in fairly good health, just needed nourishment, and care.
She's 9 months old now, and in much better health.......here's the cool thing:
We thought maybe a German Shepherd mix.......DNA sez Malinois mix Shepherd.
She's a beautiful doggo, and we're absolutely keeping her, love the high energy, but We have a lot to learn still, and this is why We subbed.
Much appreciated!

@jackk8093 4 years ago

Dude I was so worried until you said small dog like a jack Russell lol. That’s what I got. Been playing fetch for 15 years with him and no problems. I can definitely see the bigger dogs having a problem. Great alternative for saving backs, legs, and hips.

@sueshrodes9462 4 years ago

I totally get what you are saying....I have a high drive rescue german shepherd (I do not compete) but just exercising her (and oh boy does she need mental and physical challenges) I have held my breath numerous times when she has made some wild moves playing (not fetch). I have worked very hard on basic obedience so we can enjoy structured play...thanks for doing this video, great ideas!

@ToonaliEight 1 year ago

Incredible job you've done with jasper.. Currently working on training my 15month old. I rescued him at 1yr old. Best dog I've ever had, just his past haunts him.. Your videos are really helping us, so thank you very much, man and have a great day!

@AL_goTrader 4 years ago

Great point Andy. Our GSD loved to play with his chuck-it balls. It was weird since he would go through stages where he would only play with the orange one or blue one until each were absolutely falling apart. When he was 6, he had an incident in the backyard when I threw the ball. After about a week of rest, we thought he was fine. I tossed the ball again and there was another issue. We took him to the vet and we got the worst news that it was hip/bone cancer. With treatment, our beautiful boy lasted another year. It wasn't throwing playing fetch that caused this but he missed playing fetch the last year of his life.

@kendrak2009 3 years ago

My Lab/Corso mix lives for fetch. He has tumbled so many times trying to get the ball that I've started to put him in a stay first before I throw it. Seems to tire him out a lot more too because of the mental aspect rather than just obsessively waiting for me to throw the ball.

@LisaLisa-xp3eo 3 years ago

Exceptional! So helpful! Such a smart way to play “pseudo-fetch” and avoid injury for your dog! ❤Andy

@joec461 4 years ago

This is true. I was always afraid of my German Shepherd hurting himself. His drive was through the roof and he would do anything to get the ball. When he was 11 years old I stopped playing fetch because he could twist his legs, hit himself on a tree branch etc. I struggled with how to exercise him as he got older. I did these exercises as well but when I stopped fetching I didn't realize I could do these exercises instead. Ball fetching with a high drive dog could cause injury thanks for sharing.

@beingthatiam 2 years ago

You definitely have done a good job with this dog, it is pleasant to see the enthusiasm that he shows.

@davidthompson9832 3 years ago

wish i saw this earlier. such a hard lesson to learn, but injury fixed that. great video mate. thanks for sharing your knowledge.

@Betty2025-k8d 1 year ago

God bless all the dogs that are trained for service this country but I really hope that they feel the love of a human they have feelings 🙏

@michellewilliams8188 3 years ago

Thank you for sharing this video. My girl turns 9 in October, and she is addicted to the frisbee. I noticed over the weekend that something was wrong with her left leg. Took her to the vet, and she has a terrible strained ACL. Her vet said no more jumping, and make her rest. I feel so guilty about her injury. Immediately came home and put all her frisbees in our guest house. It’s been a challenging 1st day, but it’s for the best for both of us.

@Vapornator 4 years ago

Dude your absolutely correct.
This has happen to me with my other breeds as well.
Just happened to my bullterrier in fact.
They push themselves 100 percent all the time and sometimes something gives. Elbows, toes, wrists.