Baseline Canine Services

Yes - just talked about this today

Squashing all the “dog” out of the dog. Working dogs like the Belgian Malinois are bred with strong instincts and natural behaviors that are essential to their breed. These dogs have a drive to work, chase, protect, and be active. But when we try to suppress these intrinsic behaviors—by preventing them from engaging in activities that fulfill their needs—we’re not really removing those instincts. Instead, we’re just bottling them up, and eventually, they’ll find a way to come out, often in ways we don’t want. Imagine squeezing a stress ball. You can press it down, but the pressure doesn’t disappear—it just gets redistributed and might eventually pop back up in unexpected ways. The same thing happens when we try to squash the Malinois out of the Malinois. If you don’t provide outlets for their natural behaviors, like training exercises, sports, or tasks that mimic their working roles, those instincts will resurface as anxiety, destructive behavior, or other issues at home. This isn’t just true for Malinois. It’s relevant to other working breeds too, like Cocker Spaniels, who have an innate drive to hunt and retrieve, or Working Labradors, who thrive on tasks that involve tracking, retrieving, and using their intelligence. When these dogs aren’t given the opportunity to fulfill their natural drives, you might see a Cocker Spaniel or Labrador constantly picking up items around the house, possibly even resource guarding them as they try to satisfy their retrieving instinct. Similarly, a Belgian Malinois might start springing off kennel walls or furniture out of pent-up energy and frustration. To keep your working dog happy and balanced, you need to give them an appropriate outlet for their natural drives. Engage them in activities that let them practice their instincts in a controlled and positive way, whether through real work or simulated training exercises. By doing so, you’ll have a well-adjusted dog who’s less likely to develop stress-related behaviors. Don’t try to squash who your dog naturally is. Instead, channel that energy and drive into something productive that makes both you and your dog happy. 🐕💪 #WorkingDogs #DogTraining #BelgianMalinois #CockerSpaniels #WorkingLabradors #CanineBehavior #PetCare #ChannelTheDrive #HappyDogs

I forgot to post some adorable updates on the Ronan & Kacie litter! They're 5 weeks old, healthy, and exploring 😍

While it's too early to say for sure, it's important to acknowledge that it's not "all in how you raise them." These puppies are combinations of some amazing temperaments and yet - they all display these traits differently. When picking a puppy, it's so so so important to listen to the breeder's notes. I knew several lifelong traits Ronan and Sloan have from 8 weeks old. Those quirks didn't just go away 😅

At least one of the girls will go on to continue this bloodline and carry on the name. I'm still so proud to be a part of improving and preserving a breed that started to downhill.

In all my excitement, I forgot to announce Ronan's officially a father! The coolest, grossest experience of my life!

Seven beautiful healthy puppies, all lined up with homes before birth 🐾💜 4 boys, 3 girls

Laurel Anne Getchell

SIX skills I am intentional about working on each time I engage with my dogs and yours.

• Auto Sit & Down-Stay: It's crucial that when I tell the dogs I'm working with to sit or down, they know to automatically stay until they're released or given further instruction. This helps keep them safe and requires a certain level of trust and impulse control that I value highly.

• Distance Sit & Down-Stay: Being able to cue our dogs from a distance is a benefit in so many areas of our lives, both in the working fields and in our recreational activities.

• Recall: This one seems obvious, but life (and sanity) saving!

• Drop it: This is important when handling rewards and toys of any kind to save your fingers, as well as emergency situations where your dog might be tempted to ingest something unforgiving.

What skills are you intentional about maintaining with your dog? 🐾

This was a great read - troubleshoot where you might be going wrong in your dog training!

A transformation in training and management Are you a dog owner or aspiring dog trainer eager to unlock the secrets of effective dog training? Have you ever wondered why some dogs excel while others struggle? The world of dog training is fascinating, but it can also be quite challenging. In this blog, we’ll explore the critical concept of ....