The thing is though, that the cute little ball of fluff you see before you will grow up to be a stubborn, friendly, independent, energetic, intelligent, dominant, pack orientated dog that will push your every button and have you wondering "what was I thinking". Life with an Alaskan Malamute is not easy, and it isn't for the faint of heart.

Malamutes are very pack orientated dogs, and this can get them into a lot of trouble. Owners/families must learn how to enforce pack hierarchy so the Malamute knows her place in the pack, which is the bottom rung. Every family member ranks above the Malamute, even the smallest child. The lessons are easily taught and will last a lifetime. The lessons can be practiced on a normal basis using NILIF (Nothing In Life Is Free). If the family doesn't step up and fill the the leader role, the Malamute will gladly step in and take it. This will cause problems with dominance and aggression.

Many people believe Malamutes are stupid and cannot be trained. This is very far from the truth. Matter of fact, Malamutes are very intelligent and along with their independent nature, it's just a little more of a challenge. They learn quickly, but will often ask "why". They are not natural people pleasers, and will want to know what they'll get in return for listening to you.

My favorite saying is "You ask a Malamute to do something and they'll ask you "What's in it for me?".

Training should start early, but even adult dogs can learn new things quickly. Training should be kept upbeat, fun and interesting. You'll lose a Mals interest with repetition, so change things up a bit.

Malamutes are food driven, and do very well with praise and rewards. Never use harsh physical methods with a Malamute.

Malamutes are working dogs, bred to pull large heavy sledges across great distances all day, every day. Today however, owners of Malamutes put their dogs "to work" by participating in recreational sledding, skijoring, weight pulling, back packing, hiking, swimming, agility, jogging, biking roller blading... The opportunities for a Malamute are endless.

Typically a walk around the block or a short walk of a mile are not enough for an Alaskan Malamute! They need ample amounts of physical and mental stimulation/activity every day.

Malamutes who don't get enough activity quickly become bored and frustrated. They can get very destructive as well; digging, barking, howling, chewing, including destruction of your belongings and home. They're also more likely to escape from your home/yard. Malamutes are excellent escape artists. They'll go over, through or under any obstacle in their way.

A favorite saying that holds a lot of truth is:

A tired Malamute is a GOOD Malamute !

Malamutes are roamers when left loose. They've been known to cover hundreds of miles. They chase livestock and wildlife, kill small animals (including dogs & cats), and can get into loads of trouble if left loose to wander. They will end up shot, hit by a car, or in the pound.

Even the most obedient Malamute cannot be trusted loose.

It is absolutely essential that you have a secure fenced yard to keep your Malamute safe. They always need to be in a fenced yard or on a leash. They should never be allowed loose. By rule, electric/invisible fences do not work on Malamutes. The zap/correction they get from these is not sufficient to stop them from crossing the boundary. One little zap, and they're free to do what they want. They are large dogs with a high threshold for pain. Besides, they do not keep other animals/critters out of your yard, which is another reason for a good secure fence.

While the grooming requirements of a Malamute are moderate, it's still a big and necessary job. Their double coat is beautiful and needs to be brushed and combed on a weekly basis. 1-2 times a year they "blow" their coats, during this period you can literally get garbage bags full of hair. Keep in mind, this hair is also IN your home! Daily vacuuming year around is a must.

Malamutes are relatively clean, and you'll often see them grooming themselves, much like a cat. They do not have a typical doggy odor either. Depending on the dogs living conditions, your Malamute may need a bath every other month, or only 2-3 times a year. Giving a Malamute a bath is a long process. They must get completely dry to the skin after being wet, bathing or swimming. If allowed to air dry they can get nasty skin infections or sores because of their thick undercoat.

Many Malamute owners choose to bring their dogs to a groomer to have them bathed. Keep in mind this can cost $50 or more for such a large dog with a lot of coat.

Never shave a Malamute. Unless medically necessary. This will damage the coat and the coat may not come back the same

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