Is a Malamute what you really want ?
It is important to be aware of the fact that Alaskan Malamutes often have a dominant temperament, and must be well educated to respect your position (and that
of your family) as pack leaders.
If you fail in this you may find yourself in a position where your dog is
actualy the one that rules the family, and that's especially true about adult
males.
While there's quite a lot of people that happily achieved and accepted this
position by treating and growing up their Mals like spoiled kids we feel that
you and your family should (at least try to) keep your Alpha position for
your good and for that of your beloved pet.
The best and more simple way to achieve this, is to teach the dog since puppyhood, a few inderogable
rules and firmly uphold them.
Books have been written about this topics and the why's and how's to maintain an
alpha position on your dog.
We think anybody planning to share a life with a Mal should get himself one
of this books and read it carefully before making mistakes that sometimes
can be hard to recover.
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If we were to recommand a few basic rules these would include:
attending training classes with your pup
teaching your pup to listen to your calling by ALWAYS giving him something he likes when he comes
never to let your dog eat before you,
teaching him not to growl if you take away his food before he's done with it,
placing food in front of him and having him wait until you say it's ok (this maybe hard to achieve with very young pups)
never let him get over your sofa, bed or favourite place
when they're done playing take their toys off, but let them play with their toys all they like
never allow a pup to go and pick up his toys or food from their place.
Although never people aggressive Malamutes have strong pack
instict they inherited from the Arctic Wolf and the tendency to
dominate the pack (your family..). For this reason Malamutes require
a very good education since puppyhood.