I am Professional Dog Trainer who received training at the No Limitations School in Denver (Westminster) Colorado under the guidance of Professional Dog Trainer and founder of “Sit” Happens dog training Dave Skoletsky, and Professional Dog Trainer and Training Director Anthony Bracciante. While training, I fell in love with the Denver-area and went home and told my wife, ‘We’re moving to Colorado.’ So, here we are and here I am ready for the chance to help you and your dog have a wonderful, long, happy owner-companion experience.

I currently have two dogs, Eisenhower, and Da Vinci.

Da Vinci was purchased from Canine Complete, Inc., East Islip, New York. Born in September 2005, he is true to his breed history, the Belgian Malinois. He is very playful, always chewing on something he shouldn’t, giving an expression of “I didn’t know.”

Pronunciation: Belgian MAL-in-wah

What is a Malinois?
The Malinois is the short-coated variety of the Belgian Shepherd Dog. They are fawn colored with a black mask. In the United States they have been shown as a separate breed since 1959. Dogs are 24 to 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh 60 to 80 pounds. Females are 22 to 24 inches and weigh 40 to 60 pounds. This is a "high energy" dog that does best when it has a definite purpose in life. It is generally not a dog for the novice dog owner, for, while it is extremely trainable, it does not do well with poor or insufficient training.

How is a Malinois different from a German Shepherd Dog (GSD)?
They are significantly different both in body structure and temperament. The Malinois is a somewhat smaller dog with lighter bone. The Malinois stands square, well up on its toes, while the GSD has a long, sloping back and walks flatter on the foot. The Malinois head is more refined and chiseled, with smaller, more triangular ears. The Malinois is a fawn dog, with black overlay (the tips of the hair are black), while the GSD is typically tan, with a black saddle. The Malinois is considered to be more alert and faster to respond than the GSD, but also more sensitive, which can make its training more difficult.

Eisenhower is approximately 2 to 2-1/2 years old. We celebrate his birthday in January, the month he was adopted.

Eisenhower, not “Ike”, is a rescue from the Viola Lawson Animal Shelter located on Eisenhower (hence the name) Avenue in the City of Alexandria. Initially called “Davey” he was found wandering the roads of West Virginia. When we adopted him he had already been in the shelter for three months. A great companion, he is sophisticated and does not consider himself to be a dog but a person who happens to have four legs and a tail.

The shelter was not positive on his breed history. He was listed as being Beagle, Labrador, and Pit Bull mixed (although Pit Bull is not a specific breed). Whatever he is, we enjoy having him in our home.

Rescue groups often hear a variation of this conversation. Many prospective dog owners are just not convinced that owning an older (i.e. 6 mo+) “pre-owned” dog is better than buying a puppy. But there are a number of reasons why adopting a pet from a rescue that carefully screens and evaluates its dogs can provide an even better alternative.

Unfortunately, many folks think dogs that end up in Rescue are all genetically and behaviorally inferior. But it is not uncommon for Rescue to get originally high-priced dogs that have either outlived their perceived usefulness or their novelty with impulsive owners who considered their dog a possession rather than a friend or member of the family, or simply did not really consider the time, effort and expense needed to be a dog owner. Not all sellers will accept returns, so choices for giving up dogs can be limited to animal welfare organizations such as Rescues, or the owners trying to place their own dogs. Good Rescues will evaluate the dog before accepting it (medically, behaviorally, and for probability of being a pure bred), and rehabilitate if necessary. They adopt the animal out only when it is ready and to a home that matches the dog’s needs and is realistic about the commitment necessary to provide the dog with the best home possible.

Choosing a Rescue dog over a purchased pup will not solve the pet overpopulation problem – only responsible pet owners and breeders can do that – but it does give many animals a chance they otherwise would not have had. But, beyond doing a “good deed”, adopting a Rescue dog can be the best decision and addition to the family you ever made.