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Owning, Education and Other Sources
of Information
The Alaskan Malamute is the largest sledge dog native to North America.
Unlike its "racing cousin's", the Malamute is specifically
built for heavy freighting. His strength and endurance is second to
none. Malamutes are self-confident, strong-willed, independant thinkers, intelligent and affectionate friendly dogs, unsuitable for guard work, although their siza and appearance alone will usually discourage intruders. They are happiest as outdoor dogs, given sufficient companionship, but many thrive as house pets. They deman attention, and failing to receive enough, will become nuisances, howling like wolves and digging holes that would put any backhoe to shame. Malamutes are patient with children, but like all large dogs, should be supervised during play. For athletic people, Malamutes are ideal. They love backpacking, hiking and sledding. They can do well in obedience even though their great joy in life is to entertain the audience with a series of comedy antics. The Malamute is a large pack oriented animal with the natural instinct to lead or be lead; therefore training and obedience lessons must begin at a very early age. This breed cannot be allowed to grow uplacking controlled socialization with humans and animals as they can become dominating over people they don't respect and quite aggressive with other dogs of their same sex.
All dogs - Malamutes in particular - must have some education. An
educated dog with an informed owner is a dog who is content in his pack
position, has good manners, listens to and respects his owner, and is
a joy to live with. Any activity - whether it be perfecting the art
of "couch potato-ing" or working in a skilled event - is enjoyable
to do with an educated dog. An untrained dog often tests its owners
to determine pack placement, does not listen to nor respect its owners,
and is an obnoxious brat. Attempting to do ANY activity with this dog
is a chore. Like people, dogs are always learning. They learn "undesired lessons as easily as desired ones. It is the owner's responsibility to guide the dog's education. This education must not just be confined to formal obedience lessons. Ignoring the rest of the dog's education can result in a dog that performs obedience "tricks" in the ring yet is uncontrollable at any other time. Dogs learn every day with or without an owner's attention. It is extremely inportant that all Mals learn the basic life skills. Without a leader (owner/teacher/handler) who "leads", the Malamute will "rise to the top" of the pack/pecking order and will become the most dominant (alpha) being in its environment. Such dogs become aggressive, territorial, fear inspiring potentially dangerous animals. It must be emphasized that any puppy (even from sweet, even tempered parents) can become out of control without discipline, socialization with people and animals, education, love, and an owner who will lead/educate the pup. A sensible combination of love and discipline will net the Malamute owner a devoted, trustworthy companion. Dogs of all ages - even "old dogs" - are capable of learning new words and skills. An eight week old pup is old enough to start learning his life skills. Thinking handlers start the pup's education at that time keeping the physical and emotional development and attention span of a young puppy in mind. Letting a puppy "enjoy puppy hood" can easily create a future behavioural problem dog. Handlers who start the education of their Alaskan Malamute puppies at 8 weeks of age using a structured environment, positive reinforcement techiniques, and appropriate discipline and corrections are rewarded with a house-trained, well mannered "lady" or "gentleman" puppy with a strong foundation of basic life skills that will be bulit upon in whatever activity the dog is later exposed to. (Such activities as conformation showing, obedience, agility, etc.) The Malamute is innately very intelligent, has some reasoning abilities, is strong willed, and has a well-developed sense of hunour. The thinking handlers must plan their dog's education so that the dog learns happily. (It helps if he handler also has a good sense of humour) The Malamute learns new skills very quickly - They will resist (actively or passively)'Rote training'(push/pull/praise) methods and/or drilling of exercises. The novice Malamute handler usually discovers the hard way that repeating drilling of exercises equals boredom equals variations attempted by the dog (which the handler incorrectly interprets as "problems"). Methods using positive reinforcement are the most successful as they help to answer the Mals most persistent question of "Why?" during his education. Dog halters are also very useful in teaching Malamutes basic living skills. They do not conflict with the Mals inate reaction to pull against any pressure around their neck. Teaching - not training - is the most successful approach to educate this wonderful, independant and intelligent breed of dog.
Socialization is the most important part of any dog's development,
but it is essential for the formation of a well-behaved Malamute citizen.
While puppy classes and formal obedience play an important role in socialization,
some areas may not offer suitable classes or the available classes may
not fit into your time schedule. You must then make an extra effort
to integrate your puppy into the modern world, with all its noises,
people, and animals.
Breed Books
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