Alaskan Malamutes & Malamute Pictures

Alaskan Malamutes are extremely loyal and intelligent, sweet and most affectionate toward people, even those not part of the family! Male Alaskan Malamutes can be very dominant, so ongoing consistent positive reinforcement training is a must. Most Alaskan Malamutes respond better to reinforcement training better than punishment or negative training, and they often want to do what they want rather than what you are asking them to do, so understanding they are like that because it's inbred into them is essential, not because they are misbehaving -it's part of their natural behaviour to do their own thing. Having said that they'd probably rather be doing a fun activity with their pack, or family. If they don't find fun and exciting things there, they'll most likely go looking for it elsewhere!

Alaskan Malamutes are Working Dogs!

They have very active minds so training must be fun and is probably better in short bursts rather than long sessions. Mals get bored very easily if it's not something they are interested in! Malamutes can have a very high prey drive, especially with small animals and cats, it's just part of them. They aren't being "naughty"!

Malamutes are born pullers!

Mals can take off with a mighty pull on the lead when they see something small running, or even a bunch of leaves moving with the wind... so be aware! If you have a dog park near you, and plan on taking your Malamute there, try to start off with a Extendible lead as this will do two things, it may alleviate on-lead aggression with other dogs, and it will also stop your Malamute from running off and potentially getting into serious trouble.

Most Malamute owners, breeders and clubs advise NOT to let your Malamute off the lead when in a dog park, or open field (unless it belongs to you) for numerous reasons, but mainly it's for your dogs' own safety, they generally would rather resolve a conflict of hierarchy between other dogs with sorting it out, this doesn't mean they'll get into a dog fight every time, but that they'd want to sort out the rank, that is extremely important to them.

Socialising Alaskan Malamutes

Mals are likely to run over to the other dog, and perhaps meet half-way depending on dominance, perhaps a bit of eyeing up, and doggy language, then sniff each other out, then perhaps a bit of posturing with tail going up or down, eventually, one may try and put its head above the others neck to signal that they are the dominant ones (usually the Malamute) and this is usually where growling may occur and then a scuffle with one trying to possibly over-dominate the other and pin him down. All of this is simply dogs having a good old "chin wag" they're simply talking to each other in their language. The problem is that Mals, more than most other dog breeds just "have to" sort it out, or they can get quite anxious or agitated. More often than not it's simply better to avoid getting an earful from another dog owner saying that your "Malamute is aggressive" and take you Mal to a securely enclosed place you own or can rent out for off lead exercise.

Weight Pulling with Malamutes

Another option is to take up weight pulling with your dog, or sled/rig racing. They are heaps of fun but you can sometimes hurt yourself from a tumble on one of those rigs so it would be wise to wear protective helmets, and knee/elbow pads! There's a really good site with an active forum all about Malamutes, the ups and downs of Malamute ownership, activities you can do with you Alaskan Malamute and more. It's at: http://www.icebaymals.co.uk - I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Alaskan Malamute Rescue Info

Alaskan Malamute Breed Rescue details:

Alaskan Malamute Club Rescue Co-ordinator, Julie Breame, Swindon. Tel: 01793 613400 E-mail: icstorm@btopenworld.com