Living with Malamutes

So what's it like to live with these dogs ? What do you need to consider if your thinking of getting one ?

Like all dogs if bored they will probably chew and destroy things, You can't blame the dogs, most of the things we've lost should have been put out of reach ! They also chew when teething, so you need to teach them what they can and can't chew, otherwise everything is a chew toy !

Malamutes can also be experts in garden design, the only problem is their idea of the perfect garden and ours have a tendency to be very different ! Random holes in the lawn and few plants seem to be their idea of perfection ( When I say few plants I should mention they seem to like weeds, Ours have never pulled up or otherwise damaged these in our garden ! ) So if you want a garden that looks like a moonscape or battle field Malamutes can certainly help you achieve that look. Again they can be taught not to dig, or to only dig in a certain area.

Another thing to consider is the fur. It gets everywhere, and I mean everywhere ! So if you mind your carpets turning an interesting shade of white ( and brown, the mud from the landscaping has to go somewhere ! ) they probably aren't the breed for you .( A good vacuum is a must!) Malamutes "Blow" their coats, That means you end up with a bald dog and furry house. I have yet to experience a full "blow" from a mal but have seen the end results! We've had times when ours have shed quite abit and and believe me you'll be eating it, drinking it and wearing it ! When buying clothes you'll find yourself considering if it will attract fur or if you can make it out the door without coming into contact with the dogs ( no chance they know when your going somewhere special ! )

They are big dogs, and as youngsters are boisterous. Unsupervised Malamutes and young children are a recipe for disaster. Malamutes love children but don't always seem to realise their size, a Malamute, even a young one, running into a child ( or adult come to that !) is not something to be taken lightly ! I've also found to my cost they have very hard heads ! So expect to get the occasional bruise when they turn round quickly and don't quite judge the distance correctly !

Malamutes love food, and if it's not meant for them it seems to taste so much better. ANY food left unguarded where they can get it is ( according to them ) theirs. I once left some chicken on the chopping board when I went into another room ask Matt something, I must have been gone a matter of seconds, I got back to the kitchen to find the chicken gone, Kelt was still at the end of the hall way, he hadn't moved, So where was the chicken ? After checking the fridge, the microwave, the oven I began to doubt my sanity ! All the while Kelt sat in the hall way watching with interest, he then got up and under his paws was the knife that I'd left on the board !, to this day I don't know how he managed to walk past me without me noticing ! So you can't leave any food unguarded, even for a minute. They will also try to mug people, if not by taking food off them, then by looking adoring at them, seeming to say, "do you want all of that ? "

Malamutes are strong dogs, they have to be to pull heavy loads, and they like to pull ! If not corrected from an early age they will take you for a walk, not the other way round ! On a walk I find you have to be one step ahead of them when it comes to spotting squirrels, cats etc. If your not you may well find your arm leaving it's socket or find yourself pulled over. These dogs need exercise ! As adults they will take all you can throw at them and then some ( You must be careful about their exercise when they are young to help prevent future health problems) If you're not able to put in the time to exercise them, whatever the weather, a Malamute isn't the dog for you.

I'm sure there are things I forgotten to mention ( if any owners can think of anything let me know ! )

The problems will lessen as they mature so long as you are firm and consistent with them, If you don't want them to do something don't let them. They respond well to reward based training ( and training is essential ) and despite what some people think are not impossible to train, you just have to find out what works for your dog !

So why have we got Malamutes ? Simply because they are the most wonderful dogs, affectionate, intelligent and beautiful, But you don't get that for free, You and your house pay the price to share your life with these gorgeous animals.