​Most at one time or another have experienced the excitement of a new puppy. Alaskan Malamute puppies are not so different than other puppies, but have some notable differences such as, size, grooming, and just the fact they are a northern breed which brings with it behavioral characteristics unique to their breed. Housing, feeding, exercise, basic training, and grooming are all important topics to understand as a new puppy owner.

​Housing for Alaskan Malamutes can be done appropriately indoors or outdoors. If you choose to have your puppy’s primary residence be in your home that is great, just always remember trust is earned, and do not give your puppy a free rein. Malamutes can make wonderful house dogs or can be just the opposite couch eating pooping machines. At our kennel we advocate for crate training and giving a puppy more and more trust as she/he gets older and more trustworthy. Spending time in a kennel does one very important thing while training the perfect house dog it allows you to know where the puppy is at all times and hopefully preventing disaster. Eventually your pup can sleep in your bed, a pet bed, or still be crated at night. Some choose to have their puppy live primarily outdoors which is alright as long as time is spent with them and they have their needs met. Malamutes do well outside even in summer heat with some shade. Many think they would overheat when truthfully they are as tuff in the heat as most breeds as long as they are in the shade and not being worked in the heat. Remember the same insulation they have to keep them warm in the winter also keeps out heat. All dogs need some sort of shelter where they can remain dry in a storm mals are no different. During summer heat malamutes enjoy wading pools, and in the winter when it is below zero, and other dogs are shivering they are outdoors enjoying the fresh air. Where ever you chose to house your dog, you must have a good yard and solid fencing to let the puppy burn off energy. It can be done without a yard and fencing, but one must spend more time on walks. My preference is to have a good secure kennel for indoor and outdoor dogs so if you are gone for a period of time your dog can have room to move around while remaining safe and out of trouble especially in the training phase of life.

​What to feed your much-loved companion is a hot topic and is argued by experts and amateurs. Above all if your vet recommends a certain diet you should probably follow their recommendations. If not advice from your breeder is often as good a place to start as any. Over the years we have fed many different diets from the most expensive to fairly cheap foods to our dogs and over time you find out what works for you and if your dogs do good on it then bingo not much else matters. If your dogs have good coats, energy, and are overall healthy then likely your feed is fine. Water is something that is important for all dogs and living creatures and more so for a malamute than many others. Fresh preferably cool water should always be accessible to your dog. Dogs that are well hydrated eat better, have more energy, and are at much less risk for overheating and other issues.

​Exercise is an important thing for all dogs and their owners. Mals enjoy a good walk or run and if properly trained can do much more like, pull sleds, weight pull, bikejoring, pull carts, and backpack. Not everyone has time for a three hour walk a day and honestly it is not needed. Most malamutes are actually very laid back and will work when asked, but are happy laying on the cold floor much of the time if allowed. That said malamutes do benefit from what exercise you do give them after all it is quality time with your pet, and if you do not have time ask yourself if you should own a pet.

​Not every dog owner is a dog trainer, but all dogs need to receive some basic training. At times getting help from a professional is the easiest way. A little obedience school is a big help for some while others prefer to work through these basics on their own. Starting training young is important with all breeds, but imperative with malamutes. Malamutes like other northern breeds function on a hierarchy and all humans in the family must become the alpha in the pack. This is not accomplished through abuse or being heavy handed it is done through consistency and patience. The simple act of taking away a food bowl or toy and giving it back if your puppy is appropriate are things that help engrain in your dog that you are the alpha. Another simple thing to teach while young is making your dog wait for you to go through doorways first, and leash training. While they are small and young it is the time to teach them to be respectful and not to pull on the lead or crowd your space. Potty training is generally easily accomplished with the aid of a crate. Malamutes also love to chew so one of the easiest ways to prevent them from eating the coach is to not leave them unattended except while in the crate until training is advanced. Also, the use of good chew toys that they are allowed to take out their energy on is very helpful. Abusive behavior makes your dog fear you making training difficult if not impossible. Malamutes are very intelligent, but don’t expect them to learn like a collie they are not. They learn best with lots of structure and consistency. If you do the same thing each time you feed or walk your malamute it will soon learn that is the que for what is to come. Take advantage of this and have fun. A simple que word can train a wanted action in a malamute very quickly at times, and most mals respond very well to food incentive. No matter what always treat your dog fair and be consistent and you will eventually raise exactly the dog you want.
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​Grooming is not all that necessary for some breeds while with Alaskan Malamutes it is an important task especially while blowing their coat. Most malamutes will not cause problems with shedding if brushed well once weekly and daily during the time they blow their coat. When you brush your dog make sure to use a brush that is designed for a double coated dog some brushes are very hard on their coats. We use a simple rake and regular brush afterwards and it does a great job the key is to stick to a schedule and groom regularly. Malamutes are naturally a fairly clean breed so bathing is not necessary very often. When you do need to bathe your dog use the proper shampoo and only do when necessary to prevent skin from drying out.
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My family and I don’t think there’s a better pet than an Alaskan Malamute in the world. Choosing to bring a pet into the family is a big commitment and worth every bit of it in my opinion. Whether you chose to house your mal indoors or outdoors treat he/she with love, feed a good diet, exercise, give basic training, groom appropriately, and you will make a big furball into a cherished part of the family.
- Joshua Cluff