Protection and Guard Dogs Blog

Oct 26

Annual Cost of Owning a Trained Belgian Malinois Protection Dog

By Scotts K9 | Protection Dogs, Service Dogs | No Comments

Before buying a trained Belgian Malinois for sale, it’s important to know what to expect financially. Our dogs are healthy and lead long lives, but just like humans, they need adequate health care and a healthy diet.

The following are some financial considerations to prepare for when becoming a proud owner of a beautiful Belgian Malinois.

Annual Expenses for a Belgian Malinois Police Dog

The amount of money you spend on a dog per year depends on many factors:

Type of dog food
Veterinarian fees
City you live in
Insurance you choose

The following are averages. The expense ultimately is up to you.

According to CostHelper.com, the average amount people spend on kibble is around $200 to $400 a year for one dog. Canned food or raw food can drive that cost up to $1,000 a year.

Annual veterinarian bills for a healthy pup add up to about $235. This includes the initial exam and any vaccinations. Some vaccines need to be given annually, while others, such as the Rabies vaccination can be given every three years.

A dog license for your city depends on where you live but isn’t usually expensive. Most places charge about $15 for the year.

Health insurance for a healthy canine is about $200 a year. Many pet owners invest in this coverage because if there is ever an accident or illness, insurance kicks in and the expenses overall are greatly diminished.

Miscellaneous costs such as dog grooming, toys, treats, etc. vary greatly and depend on the owner’s budget. Most people spend about $100 a year on these items. However, for dogs that shed a lot or those who need to be comfortable during the summer months, grooming costs could be more.

Using these numbers, we see that the low end of the annual cost of owning a Malinois is about $750, while the high end could be as much as $2,000.

Life-Long Commitment

We urge those who are interested in owning Belgian Malinois protection dogs to not only think of the cost each year but also for the next 15+ years. Unexpected financial hardships happen all the time to people, but in normal circumstances, it’s important to ensure that your financial life can afford this wonderful breed.

So, if you can afford about $1,000 a year in anticipated expenses, you are more than able to care for one of our pups.

Buying Belgian Malinois Guard Dogs for Sale from Scott’s Police K9

We take great care in the training we give our dogs. Rest assured, your dog will be trained according to what you need, whether it be a family protection dog, police/government dog, or military dog.

If you’re interested in buying one of our Malinois police dogs, contact us to start the discussion. We would love to pair you up with one of our elite trained dogs.

Oct 19

How to Introduce a New German Shepherd to Your Dog Family

By Scotts K9 | Dog Training, Family Protection | No Comments

Interested in buying a German Shepherd guard dog for your home, but not sure if it will work with your existing pets? Don’t worry; most people who welcome a new pup into their home have a positive, pleasant experience. It’s all in how you do the introductions.

Bringing Your New German Shepherd Pup Home

Introducing a new dog is an exciting experience for a family. Along with excitement, there is also usually a bit of anxiety. This is very normal, and part of the adjustment process and both your new dog and your family get used to having another dog in your home.

First impressions matter, so you want to make the experience as positive as possible. To help make the transition as smooth as possible, Scott’s Police K9 brings each trained guard dog home with us. This helps the dogs get used to being in our home with our families and our other pets.

Introductions Away from Home

Introductions should initially be done away from the home.

This will keep your pets from defending their territory. It will also seem like a playdate, which is a fun experience for most dogs.

The first meeting should be done slowly. Let the dogs see each other through a fence or barrier. If there isn’t any aggression, allow one of the dogs to enter the area to mingle with the other.

Allow the dogs to sniff one another. If any aggression occurs, correct it with a loud sound. A bottle with pennies can get their attention and stop undesirable behaviors.

You will know the dogs are comfortable with one another when they are calm together.

Bring Them Home Together

It’s best that the dogs come home together rather than bringing the new dog directly into the home with the resident pet already present.

To do this: Have your new dog get into the car with your existing pet already in the vehicle. They will transition better into the home environment when they get to go into the home together (rather than having the new dog enter into the other’s territory).

Allow Existing Pets into the Home After You

You should be the first one to enter the home. Then, bring in your existing pets, and finally the new dog. This welcomes the new dog into the pack. You are the leader of the pack, which is why you enter the home first.

By letting your resident pet come in after you, the new one has the opportunity to welcome your new German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois.

Be the Leader

As your new family protection dog adjusts to life in your home, you will need to be the leader of the pack. Stay calm and authoritative.

Our family guard dogs are socialized to easily blend in with any family environment and to start working right away. Clients are always pleasantly surprised to see how affectionate our trained dogs are!

Buying a German Shepherd Protection Dog

Now you know how easy and possible it is to bring a new pup into your home. At Scott’s Police K9, we have many Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd protection dogs for sale in California.

Simply call us to discuss details about your personal guard dog needs. We would love to match you up with your ideal friend and protector.

Oct 12

How the Human Touch Benefits a Dog

By Scotts K9 | Dog Temperament, Dog Training, Protection Dogs, Service Dogs, Special Needs | No Comments

Petting a dog is therapeutic. It lowers blood pressure, stress levels, and anxiety. But, does human touch have the same effect on man’s best friend?

The simple answer to this question is yes. Dogs have been shown to receive therapeutic benefits from being petted.

When a human pets a dog, both of them experience a significant increase in their oxytocin levels. This is the same hormone responsible for the bond that forms between mother and baby shortly after birth.

This hormone not only helps humans and pets feel connected to one another, but it also affects their thoughts and behaviors. Dogs that are petted regularly are less likely to exhibit negative behaviors.

Why Dogs Love Being Petted

Even though there are physiological reasons for dogs wanting to be touched, let’s dig deeper into why they love it so much.

It Feels Good

Just like you may like someone rubbing your back, a dog loves when a human does it. It’s similar to a massage or getting someone to scratch a spot you can’t reach.

Helps with Communication

While dogs and people can’t communicate with each other using back-and-forth words, touch is the next best thing. Researchers have found that dogs may be able to tell how a person feels just by how they are touched. This can help them respond in a comforting way, which is why many people feel as though their dog understands what they are going through without even saying a word.

Petting during training a dog is a great way to bring your pooch’s attention back around to the task at hand, especially after he has done something correctly. A simple pet on the head along with a hand command is all you need to get him ready to learn more.

Provides Health Benefits

Petting provides health benefits to canines, just like it does for humans. These include a reduced heart rate, lowered blood pressure, and decreased stress…all of which can help our furry friends live longer, healthier lives.

Vocal Praise – Is It the Same?

Many people ask if vocal praise is as effective a reward as petting, especially when training. Not surprisingly, vocal praise is good but petting is better.

Researchers have found that dogs prefer people who touch them over people who only use vocal praise for rewarding and showing love. In addition, these studies found that vocal praise doesn’t have as much of an effect unless it’s coupled with another positive interaction, such as giving a treat.

So, while your pooch may like that you’re saying, “Good boy!” he would much rather have you pet him.

The Best Places to Touch

Dogs differ in where they like to be petted. The following are some of the most common favorites:

Upper chest
Hips and haunches
Ears
Belly
Under the chin
Shoulder
Back

It’s best to start with the back and shoulder if you are just getting to know your furry friend. As you both become more comfortable with one another, you can move to more vulnerable areas such as the upper chest, face, ears, and belly.

Contact Us About Our Trained Malinois and German Shepherd Guard Dogs

We sell trained guard dogs, such as Belgian Malinois’ and German Shepherds, to become police, military or family protection dogs. If you’re looking for this breed to join you in one of these capacities, feel free to contact us.

We would love to share why Scott’s Police K9 is your elite source for purchasing German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois protection dogs.

Oct 05

Does the Belgian Malinois Make a Good Family Dog?

By Scotts K9 | Dog Temperament, Protection Dogs | No Comments

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is if the Belgian Malinois is a good family dog. This is a two-part answer….yes, and it depends.

The Malinois is not your typical family dog. It’s true the breed is intelligent, beautiful, and loving. All of these attributes make them great family dogs. What people also need to know is that they are extremely hard working.

The Malinois thrives on stimulation. This stimulation is ideally achieved through both physical and mental activity. This breed wants to learn and is always eager to please their owners. Don’t be surprised when your Malinois wakes up in the morning ready for a full day of activity.

This temperament may not fit into every family’s lifestyle, especially if everyone is gone for most of the day and evening, leaving their furry friends at home alone. While this may be perfectly fine for some other breeds, the Belgian Malinois wants more from their day.

The best type of owner or family for this breed is one that is ready to play and work with their furry friend. For example, a morning run with some tricks along the way would be a great way to start the day. After a break, the Malinois will likely be ready to tackle the next order of business. This could mean a ride in the car to his owner’s workplace or a trip to a field or dog park for more active work/play time.

By the late afternoon, this pooch will be ready for some affectionate down time with his owner or family. Before settling down for the night, a stroll around the neighborhood would complete the day.

A Fun, Active Family Dog

So, do Belgian Malinois’ make good family dogs? Absolutely! They are fantastic family dogs for the right family.

If you have an active life and want a dog that is eager to join in, then this breed would be ideal for you. He will be the one to hike, run, and play with you. He will help you get your work done, and then rest by your side. If you’re ever in danger, he will protect you with fearlessness and skill.

For active families, he will happily join whoever wants to spend time with him. He is loyal to not only his owner, but also to his pack. This means children can help keep the Malinois’ busy while also having a best friend and playmate. And, of course, mom and dad will always feel at ease with the protection that this highly trained dog provides.

Adding the Belgian Malinois to Your Family

The best Belgian Malinois for a family is a trained one. Our fully trained Belgian Malinois for sale are ideal for guarding families as well as working with law enforcement. This is why at Scott’s Police K9, our Belgian Malinois training includes teaching the breed how to live with people of all ages and with other family pets.

To learn more about our Belgian Malinois for sale, contact Scott’s Police K9 today.

Sep 28

Belgian Malinois Protection Dog in Training

Top 10 Reasons Why We Train German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois

By Scotts K9 | Dog Temperament, Dog Training, Family Protection, Service Dogs | No Comments

People ask us all the time if we train other dog breeds for protection services. We know that the Doberman Pinscher, Cane Corso, and Mastiff are all suitably trained guard dogs, but our passion lies in German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois training.

There are many reasons why we prefer these two breeds, but here are the top 10.

#1: Intelligence

The German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois are highly intelligent. Through our nearly two decades of experience, we believe they are considerably smarter than most other breeds.

#2: Experience

We have the most experience with Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd protection dogs. These breeds are elite because they are most often utilized for police, military, government, and personal protection work. As a result, we started with these breeds many years ago and we still prefer them today.

#3: Trainability

Simply put, our dogs want to learn. They are so eager to be trained that they usually want to continue working long after we’ve called it a day. It is truly a joy to train them.

#4: Best Breeder

After much research and experience, we have identified the best breeders in Europe for our German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois. We only accept puppies and dogs that are full-blooded and have the best genetic makeup.

#5: Loyalty

These breeds are highly loyal to their owners, and we want to provide that exceptional level of dedication to our clients. While many dog breeds are loyal, there’s something about the German Shepherd and Malinois that takes this quality to the next level. They want to work alongside their owner to offer world-class protection in any situation. They also want to serve as a companion and best friend.

#6: Affectionate

Even though these breeds will guard their owner(s) with necessary aggression, they will also seek and accept affection often. They need to feel loved on a daily basis. We believe these two breeds are so affectionate because they have a truly deep love for their owners.

#7: Kid-Friendly

Kids love the fluffy fur and big stature of these dogs, and they also love being doted on. Families with one of our dogs often talk about how sweet it is to see their children have a best friend to hug, kiss, and play with.

#8: Aggressive Appearance

We love these dogs because they do look fierce. This is important, especially if the dog is working in law enforcement or as a guard dog. Their appearance alone is often enough to keep the “bad guys” away.

#9: Long Life

Most owners can expect at least a decade of fun, protection, and love from these dogs. While we never want to think of our furry friend leaving us, we’re glad to report that these breeds have long lives.

#10: People Love Them

We couldn’t finish this list without mentioning how happy our customers are with the dogs they’ve purchased. We always have customers contact us afterwards letting us know how special their dog is, and how appreciative they are to have found a reputable, experienced trainer.

Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd Trained Guard Dogs for Sale

If you want to buy a fully trained protection dog, contact Scott’s Police K9 for more information. We would be happy to help you see our available dogs for sale, and to find the best one that meets your specific needs.