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The Positive Belgian
The Positive Belgian Podcast is your go-to place for understanding, training, and living harmoniously with the brilliant, sensitive, occasionally dramatic Belgian Shepherd. Hosted by Belgian Shepherd Specialist and behaviour consultant Natasja Lewis, this podcast blends expert training advice with real-life stories, practical guidance, and plenty of breed-specific insight.
Whether you share your life with a Malinois, Tervueren, Groenendael, or Laekenois, you’ll learn how to build focus, confidence, engagement, and calm using positive, reward-based training methods that actually work for high-drive, high-sensitivity dogs.
Each episode dives into topics like raising a Belgian puppy, navigating the teenage tornado phase, preventing reactivity, managing high arousal, building brilliant recalls, and understanding what makes Belgians tick. It’s equal parts education, empathy, humour, and “oh thank goodness, it’s not just my dog!”
New episodes every two weeks, with the occasional guest from the dog training world.
If you love your Belgian but sometimes feel overwhelmed, confused, or just want to do right by them, you’re in the right place.
The Positive Belgian
Episode 2 The Early Puppy Weeks
Bringing home a Belgian Shepherd puppy? Welcome to the world of bitey landsharks, big emotions, and the most fiercely loyal breed you’ll ever meet.
In this episode, we unpack the early puppy weeks — the 8–12 week window where Belgian Shepherd behaviour can feel overwhelming, confusing, and utterly adorable all at once.
Natasja shares real stories from raising her own puppies, including her legendary dressing-gown-obsessed landshark Siri, and Seina, whose whole-prey chewing made her one of the softest puppies she ever raised. You’ll learn why puppy biting is normal, how teething shapes behaviour, and why the balance of chewing, stimulation, and rest is the magic formula people overlook.
We explore what real socialisation looks like for a breed developed to guard, tend, and work closely with their shepherd — and why over-socialising can be just as problematic as under-socialising. Plus, hear how crate calmness, sleep, and early relationship-building lay the foundations for a connected, focused future.
If you’re navigating the early puppy weeks with your Belgian Shepherd, this episode will help you understand your puppy’s brain, reduce overwhelm, and set the stage for a beautiful partnership.
Mentioned in this episode:
- Puppy Socialisation Blueprint
- Expectant Puppy Parent Course
- Connected Puppy Blueprint
Want more support?
Explore Natasja’s Connected Puppy Blueprint — designed specifically for sensitive, clever breeds like the Belgian Shepherd.
P.S. If you hear some thumping in the background… that’s Cassie wagging her tail! She insisted on supervising the recording.