How to Train a Alaskan Malamute Dog Puppy – The Best Dog Training Near Me

When looking for an Alaskan Malamute puppy, be sure to find a reputable breeder who screens their dogs for health and temperament. Look for puppies from parents with OFA certifications on hips and elbows. Meet the puppy's parents if possible to get an idea of their personality and appearance.

Alaskan Malamute puppies should be alert, active and eager to engage with people. Avoid shy or fearful puppies. The breeder should have started house training, provided early socialization with different people, noises and environments and begun teaching basic obedience.

Preparing Your Home

Before bringing your Alaskan Malamute puppy home, puppy-proof your house. Put away any valuables or dangerous items. Restrict access to rooms like the kitchen. Provide safe chew toys to divert the pup from chewing furniture or belongings.

Designate an area like a crate or small room as your puppy's own space. The crate should be large enough for them to stand, turn around and lie down. Outfit it with a comfy bed and toys.

Stock up on supplies like a collar, leash, ID tag, food and water bowls, puppy food, potty training pads, enzyme cleaner for accidents and grooming tools. Register for puppy kindergarten classes. Locate nearby veterinarians and emergency clinics.

Bringing Home Your Alaskan Malamute Puppy

Pick up your puppy when they are 8-12 weeks old. Request vet records from the breeder detailing vaccinations, deworming and general health.

Introduce your puppy to their new home slowly, one room at a time. Supervise them closely.prompting and rewarding desired behaviors like seeking you out and sitting calmly.

Establish a predictable daily routine including regular feeding times, potty breaks, training sessions, play time, walks and crated downtime. Avoid too much freedom or stimulation at first to prevent accidents.

Teach your puppy their name and simple commands like sit, stay and come. Keep initial training sessions short, sweet and positive using treats and praise as motivation. Practice commands in different locations.

Housetraining Your Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamute puppies can take up to 6 months to be fully housetrained. Set them up for success by sticking to a consistent schedule. Take them out when they first wake up, right after playtime, after meals and every 1-2 hours in between.

Watch for signs they need to go like circling, sniffing or pacing. When they go in the right spot, praise enthusiastically and give treats. Limit access to rooms until fully trained.

Crate train your puppy to teach good bladder control. No more than 1-2 hours in the crate at first. Always take them directly outside to relieve themselves after crated time.

Clean all accidents thoroughly with an enzyme cleaner. Avoid scolding or punishment, which can make the problem worse. Stay vigilant and be patient. Accidents will happen but reduce over time.

Socializing Your Alaskan Malamute Puppy

Alaskan Malamutes require extensive socialization to curb any wariness and become well-adjusted companions. Introduce your puppy to new people, environments, animals and situations positively and gradually.

Encourage calm interactions with family and friends. Ask them to offer treats and pet gently. Invite vaccinated, tolerant dogs and puppies over to play. Expose your puppy to car rides, sounds like vacuum cleaners, and handling their paws and mouth.

Avoid forcing your puppy into scary situations. Go slowly and make new experiences fun with encouragement and rewards. Enroll in puppy socialization classes for supervised play. Maintain socialization into adulthood.

Training Your Alaskan Malamute Puppy

Start training lessons right away to harness your Alaskan Malamute's intelligence. Focus on positive, force-free techniques like lure training with food rewards. Alaskan Malamutes respond better to motivation than punishment.

Work on basic obedience like sit, stay, down, come, leave it and loose leash walking first. Ask for behaviors before giving any reward. Practice in various locations with distractions. Keep sessions short and engaging. Gradually increase difficulty.

Crate train your puppy and teach them to relax on cue. Alaskan Malamutes need to learn settling skills. Reward calm behavior and provide interactive toys. Avoid rewarding demanding behavior.

Use a consistent cue like "enough" to end undesirable behavior. Redirect your puppy to a preferred toy or activity instead of scolding. Manage rather than correct. Patience and consistency are key.

Exercising Your Alaskan Malamute Puppy

Alaskan Malamute puppies need regular exercise to prevent boredom and destruction. Take your puppy on several shorter walks per day. Bring tasty treats and train loose leash skills during walks.

In addition to walks, play fun games like fetch and tug. Let your puppy run around a safely fenced area and explore new environments on hike or sniff walks.

Avoid forced running or jogging with your puppy until they are over 18 months old when their joints are mature. Jumping on and off furniture can also harm developing joints. Manage activity levels to prevent injury.

Mentally stimulate your puppy too with food puzzles, hiding treats for them to seek out or bringing novel safe chew toys. Combine physical and mental enrichment.

Grooming Your Alaskan Malamute Puppy

Establish a regular grooming routine with your Alaskan Malamute puppy. Make brushing and handling a positive experience with praise and rewards.

Brush your puppy at least weekly using a pin or slicker brush. Pay extra attention to the mane and britches which are prone to matting. Use an undercoat rake during seasonal shedding.

Trim toenails as needed, usually every 2-3 weeks. Introduce handling paws early on to make trims easier. Never cut nails so short as to expose the quick.

Brush your puppy's teeth 2-3 times per week. Check and clean ears weekly for dirt, wax or signs of infection. rewards.

If bathing, use a mild puppy shampoo. Alaskan Malamutes only need occasional bathing when dirty or smelly. Avoid over bathing which can dry out their skin and coat.

Feeding Your Alaskan Malamute Puppy

Feed your Alaskan Malamute puppy a high-quality commercial or raw dog food formulated for large breed puppies. Follow portion guidelines based on projected adult weight.

Alaskan Malamute puppies should eat 3-4 meals daily. Feed set meals rather than free feed to monitor intake. Choose a dish that won't tip over. Pick up uneaten food within 15-20 minutes.

Avoid overfeeding treats. Use a portion of your puppy's daily food for training rewards. Talk to your vet if your puppy becomes overweight or seems underweight.

Provide fresh water at all times in a bowl that won't tip over. Change water frequently throughout the day. Don't feed or water immediately before or after exercise.

Transition to an adult food at 12-18 months old. Make switches gradually over 7-10 days to prevent digestive upset. Follow feeding guide amounts for less active adult dogs.

Health Care for Your Alaskan Malamute Puppy

Establish a relationship with a trusted veterinarian and discuss your Alaskan Malamute puppy's health needs. They will advise you on vaccines, parasite prevention and wellness care.

Keep up with recommended vaccines to protect your pup against contagious diseases like rabies, parvo, distemper and adenovirus. Alaskan Malamutes are prone to certain health issues, so routine vet care is important.

Look out for signs of problems including limping, gastrointestinal issues, eye discharge, coughing, weight changes or lethargy. Report concerns promptly to avoid delayed treatment. Insist on high-quality, complete healthcare from your vet.

Pet insurance can offset costs of unexpected illnesses or injuries. Work closely with your vet for optimal preventative care and disease management throughout your Alaskan Malamute's life.

Dealing with Alaskan Malamute Puppy Behavior

Alaskan Malamute puppies are exuberant, strong-willed dogs requiring patient guidance and training. Set clear rules and be consistent enforcing them. Reward wanted behaviors more than punishing unwanted ones.

Redirect chewing or destruction to appropriate items. Ignore attention-seeking behaviors like barking or jumping up. Use baby gates, leashes or crates to manage spaces when you cannot directly supervise your puppy.

Provide plenty of exercise and enrichment. Malamutes are working dogs who become bored and destructive without enough activity. Practice training commands daily to challenge their minds. Establish leadership using firm, positive techniques.

Socialize your Alaskan Malamute pup extensively so they learn to interact properly with dogs and humans. Seek professional help immediately with any aggressive behavior. Be realistic about the breed's independent nature.

Living with an Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamutes can be challenging companions. They are clever, energetic working dogs who require an experienced owner able to provide structure, training and daily focused interaction.

Alaskan Malamutes thrive when given a "job" to do like weight pulls, carting or other canine sports. Keep them engaged with interactive toys and food puzzles when indoors. Provide adequate daily exercise. These dogs enjoy cooler climates.

Their thick double coat requires weekly brushing year-round. Expect heavy seasonal shedding and regular vacuuming. Malamutes tend to roam if not properly contained. Secure spaces with 6-foot fencing and supervise outdoors.

Train your Alaskan Malamute to be a well-mannered companion. Use positive reinforcement and be patient but firm. Seek professional help with any problem behaviors. Consistency and lifelong socialization are musts.

While independent, Alaskan Malamutes can develop strong bonds with their owners. Maintain rules and boundaries but enjoy this loving, loyal breed when properly raised and cared for.

Common Alaskan Malamute Health Issues

Some common health issues seen in Alaskan Malamutes include:

Hip Dysplasia – Malformation of hip joints causing arthritis and lameness. Can be managed with medication, weight control, exercise regulation and supplements.
Elbow Dysplasia – Abnormal growth of elbow joints also causing arthritis. Surgical or medical treatment may be needed.
Chondrodysplasia – Dwarfism caused by disordered cartilage growth. Mild cases may only require monitoring while severe forms can impair quality of life.
Degenerative Myelopathy – Progressive spinal cord disease leading to paralysis of rear legs. Genetic test available. No cure exists.
Immune Mediated Polyarthritis – Rare autoimmune disorder causing painful joint inflammation. Requires lifelong medication.
Eye Problems – Various inherited eye disorders like cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy and corneal dystrophy may be seen. Annual eye exams recommended.
Cancer – Malamutes are prone to various cancers including hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma and mast cell tumors. Early detection is key.
Bloat – Life-threatening stomach twisting requiring emergency surgery. Use slow feed bowl and avoid exercise after meals.
Hypothyroidism – Common hormonal disorder causing lethargy, obesity and hair loss. Managed with daily medication.

Common Alaskan Malamute Puppy Behavior Problems

Alaskan Malamute puppies are highly intelligent but can exhibit some challenging behaviors requiring patience and training to correct, such as:

Excessive chewing and destruction – Provide ample chew toys. Use crates and baby gates to restrict access when unsupervised.
Jumping up – Turn away and withdraw attention when pup jumps. Reward four on the floor behavior. Teach an alternate behavior like sit.
Barking – Reduce boredom with exercise, training and toys. Avoid rewarding barking. Teach quiet cue using positive reinforcement.
Nipping – Yelp loudly to signal pain then redirect to a toy. Avoid games encouraging mouthing. Use reverse time outs if needed.
Digging – Provide a designated digging area. Block off tempting areas. Exercise adequately to reduce boredom digging.
Separation anxiety – Use treats and praise to build independence. Crate train properly. Allow no fanfare on departures/arrivals. Provide enrichment when alone.
Pulling on leash – Use no-pull harness and stop moving if they pull. Practice loose leash walking and commands like heel.
Guarding resources – Hand feed meals. Swap high-value items for treats. Teach drop it and trade commands. Seek professional help if severe.

Alaskan Malamute Potty Training Tips

Potty training an Alaskan Malamute puppy requires time and consistency. Here are some tips:

Establish a schedule. Take puppy out frequently – after waking, eating, playing and every 1-2 hours. Praise for going outside.
Learn cues signaling they need to go like circling, sniffing or squatting. React quickly to prevent inside accidents.
Use a crate when you can't actively supervise. Close off rooms or use tethers to restrict access indoors. Confine to small space if needed.
Avoid paper training. It prolongs the process and teaches going inside is ok. Stick to outside potty only.
Treat and praise heavily for outdoor potties. Designate a potty spot. Use a command like "go potty."
Clean all accidents with enzymatic cleaner to remove odor. Avoid scolding after the fact for ineffective.
Be patient and vigilant. Stay positive. Increase freedom gradually as potty skills improve over time. Expect 6 months to be fully trained.
Consult trainer or vet if struggling with house training. Seek medical cause if frequent accidents continue despite strict routine.

Exercising an Alaskan Malamute Puppy

Alaskan Malamute puppies have abundant energy needing proper physical and mental stimulation. Follow these exercise guidelines:

Take puppy for several shorter, positive leash walks daily. Bring treats and practice loose leash skills.
Play fetch games and engage your puppy with rope toys for tugging. Allow off-leash running in safe, enclosed areas only.
Take your puppy on training walks, hikes, swimming and socialization outings for new experiences.
Avoid forced running or jogging until your puppy is over 18 months old when joints are finished growing.
Limit jumping on and off furniture or playing on slippery floors to prevent injury.
Use interactive food puzzles, stuffed chew toys and training games to challenge your puppy mentally too.
Scale exercise times up gradually as your puppy grows. Adult Malamutes need 60-90 minutes of intense activity daily.
Provide adequate exercise to prevent problem behaviors from boredom like chewing, digging and barking. A tired puppy is a good puppy!

Choosing an Alaskan Malamute Breeder

Locating a responsible Alaskan Malamute breeder is key to getting a happy, healthy puppy. Look for these signs of a quality breeder:

Extensive knowledge of the breed. Typically focuses on just one or two breeds.
Dogs raised in home with family socialization. Kept as pets not kennel dogs.
Breeds occasional small litters, not commercial scale. Will take dogs back if ever needed.
Does OFA and other health testing. Provides certificates. Dogs are vet checked and dewormed/vaccinated.
Asks you many questions to ensure puppies match lifestyle. Requires spay/neuter contract.
Parents have good temperaments and are shown or worked. Proven bloodlines.
Puppies well socialized in home until at least 8 weeks old.
Clean facilities and healthy living conditions. Supplies health and feeding info.

Avoid pet stores, online ads or breeders who cannot provide you evidence of responsible breeding practices. Be picky and do your homework to start off right with your Alaskan Malamute!