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KISKAKON ALASKAN MALAMUTES
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Working Dog
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Working Dog The Alaskan Malamute is a powerful well muscled dog with a
broad head and deep chest, standing well over the pads.There is a natural range in size any were from 65 lbs to 120 lbs.
With dark brown almond shaped eyes...Never Blue. Double coat with guard hair course to the touch ( not soft) The alaskan
malamute is a very active high energy dog that needs a physical workout and also mental workout daily. They have a very
friendly personality and are quite independent, they are not a good guard dog. Most malamutes would just hold
the door while you are being robbed. Wag there tail and lick the face of the stranger before leaving.The Alaskan malamute
will demand your attention and to be exercised daily.This is not a dog to be put away from the family activities.They have
a very strong pack instinct.And your family and you are seen as part of there pack.The malamute should not be kept separate
from the rest of the pack. They want to be part of what ever activities the family is doing.Exercise is very important,
most behavioral problems are caused from lack of exercise.A malamute gets bored and finds ways to relieve that boredom and
pent up energy.The dog is not a bad dog, he is just a bored dog.The Alaskan Malamute is a working dog that has a natural
instinct to do the things they were bred for.Let us not for get that Eskimos used these dogs to pull sled and as
pack dogs and hunters.The Eskimos traveled in extremely brutal conditions dogs and sleds were essential to their way of life
and were their prized possessions. Without them travel and hauling would have been impossible. Malamutes today still need that exercise that is instinctive
to them.And there are so many different ways you can exercise your malamute. Walking, jogging, biking, rollerblading, hiking, swimming. Remember "what they say" ( A tired dog is a well
behaved dog ) Alaskan Malamute Activities: Obedience, Agility,Therapy Dog, Back-Packing,Weight Pulling,Skijoring,
Sledding, Carting, Mushing. Check Out The Links Below To Find Out More About The Different Activities For You And Your Dog(s) |
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Getting Started Mushing First let your malamute get use to just the harness alone. When comfortable with the harness, attach a lead or gangline
to the harness with a light weight ‘drag’ small piece of wood, water bottle, pair of old shoes. it works best
to start with one dog at a time. Right now you are just getting them comfortable with the harness and having something drag
behind them. Start teaching them commands while pulling the drag, HIKE or LETS GO obviously this means to go. GEE when you turn right and HAW when you turn left, Gradually
drop back behind the dog(s) while they are pulling the drag. WHOA means (stop) have them stop once in a while and stay still
praise them for it. They also need to learn ON-BY, this means to keep going past any distractions again praise them when they
do. LINE OUT ( another command ) this is to teach them to make the gangline taut with you behind them. Hook the gangline to something secure, then get them to go to
the end of the line and hold it taut. at the same time give the command line out make sure to praise them for it. Make the
drag heavier and heavier until they are pulling a light tire or equal to it. 4-6 months is a good time to start with a puppy. At nine months
you can start with short runs ( a mile or less ) remember work your malamutes endurance up. Also have patients when training
your malamute(s) remember when they don’t do something right, it is your fault, not the dogs. Keep your lessons short
and fun! malamutes do get bored, so make it fun. ( Remember ) A young pup or inexperienced dog can not go the distance or pull
the load that an experienced conditioned adult dog can. Here is another method, if you prefer it over the drag method
above. Hook a leash to your mals harness and one to his collar. Take your mal for a walk keeping the dog in front of you and
keeping tension on the leash that is attached to the harness. You can then use the leash that is hooked to the collar to keep
the dog on the trail and stay in control. Teach the same commands as you would with the drag method. The above methods worked well for me when I first started
out. Also once I had my first dog trained the others came easier. Here is another tip: Dont talk to your dogs to much while working. Give them praise
when they do well, but don't over do it. Constantly talking can be very distracting to the dog(s) as they will be listening
for your next command. It takes strong arms, legs and strong hands to hold on
to a team of dogs or even two dogs. And your weight and break can only do so much. So keep this in mind. You should be physically fit yourself, as well as your dogs
being in good health. Never work a dog that is ill in any way. ( Again Remember ) A young pup or inexperienced dog can not go the distance
or pull the load that an experienced conditioned adult dog can. Be safe and have fun... Things you need: Harnesses Ganglines Tuglines Necklines Snow Hook Safety Pads First aid kit Sled or Scooter or Skis Low traffic area
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