The Importance of Doing Your Homework: A Cautionary Tale About High Drive Dog Adoptions

Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with an elderly woman in her 80s who was considering adopting a young, high energy German Shepherd/Malinois mix from a local humane society. This breed mix, known for its intense drive, intelligence, and work ethic, is not for the faint of heart, yet she had been encouraged by a local trainer—who had no experience with Malinois or similar high drive breeds—to go forward with the adoption.

The dog in question had already been in two homes, brough in most recently for biting. It was clear that this one year old dog was struggling with behavioral issues like jumping, pulling on the leash, and not being house trained. Yet, despite these red flags and the woman’s age, she was still urged by the trainer to take this dog home, with little to no education on what owning a Malinois mix truly entails.

This situation immediately struck me as one that happens far too often in the world of dog adoptions. Well meaning individuals, often unfamiliar with the specific needs of certain breeds, are encouraged to adopt dogs that don't fit their lifestyle and without proper guidance. This particular woman was looking for a loyal companion in her golden years, yet she was being steered toward a breed mix that requires intense daily mental and physical stimulation, which would be hard to manage even for younger, active families.

When I spoke with her, she shared that the humane society had not asked her any questions or required any references before taking her deposit. She had attempted to research the breed herself in some older dog books she had at home but couldn’t find any information on the Malinois. The shelter staff and the trainer failed to inform her of the unique needs and traits of this breed. Additionally, the same trainer had previously recommended that she euthanize her German Shepherd mix because the dog was "untrainable" in their force free style of training, despite this style’s limitations with certain types of dogs.

Force free training can fall short when it comes to high drive working breeds like the Belgian Malinois. These dogs often require a balanced training approach—one that incorporates not only rewards and positive reinforcement but also clear communication and boundaries. This is not an attack on force free methods, but when working with a high drive, high energy breed, the trainer's experience and the method's limitations should be taken into consideration.

I took the time to educate the woman about the Malinois breed: their high energy levels, intense drive, need for mental stimulation, and strong working instincts. These dogs thrive in environments where they are given jobs to do and can be incredibly challenging to manage as simple companion pets, especially for an elderly person. After our conversation, she realized that adopting this particular dog was not in her best interest or in the best interest of the dog.

This is not an isolated incident. All too often, we see people adopt dogs, especially high drive breeds, without fully understanding what they are getting into. This results in dogs being returned to shelters, behavior problems escalating, or worse—dogs being euthanized due to being mislabeled as “untrainable.”

The lesson here is simple: **Do your homework**. When considering adopting a dog, especially one from a breed with specific needs, it is crucial to seek guidance from professionals who have real experience with that breed. Humane societies and trainers alike should be responsible for educating adopters about the breed’s characteristics and whether they align with the potential owner’s lifestyle. It is not enough to simply look at a dog and see a beautiful companion; understanding what drives the dog and what it takes to fulfill their needs is even more important.

At the end of the day, dogs are animals—not just pets—and certain breeds carry innate traits that need to be addressed with proper training and care. The goal should always be to match the right dog with the right home, ensuring both the owner and the dog have a fulfilling and harmonious relationship.

If you are considering adopting a new dog, especially a high energy or working breed, I encourage you to talk to professionals who truly understand that breed. It could make all the difference in finding the perfect companion for your home.

We are here to help with expert guidance, whether you’re choosing a new family member or working through training challenges with the one you already have. Let’s make sure your next step is the right one—for you and for your dog.