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Digging
The Alaskan Malamute, displaced from its original duty of pulling sleds, is constantly striving to replace large earth moving machinery in an effort to find a new purpose in life. While most Malamutes scorn the terrier's desire to dig under fences, they prefer instead to dig their holes in the centre of the yard, just outside the door, or in your prize flower bed. In their minds they have many reasons for this behaviour, many of which they intend to keep a secret and refuse to let us in on the joke, and they attack this chore with great purpose and dedication.
Digging in the centre of the yard is generally done in search of roots, which the dogs like to chew on to supplement their diet. Holes just outside the door are dug to create a dry, comfortable place to lie down, and the same behaviour can be seen in snow. But the holes dug in your prize flower bed are probably made to get back at you for not giving your dog that second cookie after dinner. The problem is that most Malamutes have an insatiable appetite and look at anything as possible food. Petunias are food. Railroad ties are food. Trees and shrubs are food. It is not unusual to look out the window ten minutes after doing your Spring planting to see your Malamute gleefully loping around the yard carrying your newly planted bush in its mouth. Females will commonly dig large, elaborate dens at certain times of the year, whether or not they are spayed. The speed and efficiency of this endeavour makes me believe that it is the female that is winning the war to replace the back hoe.
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