How to Train Alaskan Malamute Dogs

Alaskan Malamutes are highly intelligent dogs that generally obey their owners, but have short attention spans. Malamutes often want to take charge of their packs; however, training will never be successful if this is allowed to happen. When training your Alaskan Malamute, it is essential to implement consistency, along with creating a training plan that works with the characteristics of your Malamute.

Things You'll Need

  • Crate
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Instructions

    • 1

      Show your Malamute that you are the pack leader, says lonestaralaskanmalamutes.com. Your position as the alpha of the house can be established by walking through doors ahead of your pooch and making it wait for your permission before going in. In addition, handling its food, staying next to your Malamute on walks, and making the dog wait to eat until you say it can also help to establish dominance. Unless you show your Malamute you are in charge, it won't respect you or obey your training.

    • 2

      Place your Malamute in a crate when you cannot provide supervision, suggests omalmalamutes.com. Keeping the Malamute in the crate will assist in the housebreaking process, as well as keep your malamute out of trouble. Since Malamutes have short attention spans they can bore easily. A bored Malamute will often chew on objects, including those that are dangerous, such as electric cords and wires. When you cannot watch your Malamute, allow the crate to baby-sit.

    • 3

      Touch your Malamute's paws, ears, and mouth on a daily basis. Malamutes, like most dogs, are often protective of their feet. This can be problematic when nail cuttings and injuries occur. Therefore, rub the feet and ears daily, as well as open the mouth. Start these practices as soon as you acquire the Malamute, as the more it is familiar with receiving these types of touches, the better it will behave when touched as an older dog.

    • 4

      Brush your Malamute daily with a slicker brush. Slicker brushes--available at pet stores--have bristles that are specially designed to reach a dog's undercoat and remove any dead hair. These types of brushes are highly useful on Malamutes because of their ability to maintain the thick fur that is easily matted if not taken care of properly. Begin brushing as soon as you adopt the dog to get it accustomed to the necessary grooming.

    • 5

      Socialize your Malamute with other animals and people as soon as possible, suggests lonestaralaskanmalamutes.com. Like many dogs, Malamutes get along with other animals and people, including cats and children, as long as they are exposed to them at a young age.

    • 6

      Use hand signals when teaching your Malamute tricks, suggests lonestaralaskanmalamutes.com. Give your Malamute a one-word command, accompanied by a hand signal to assist in training.