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ThePack
The Alaskan Malamute is first and foremost inherently a pack animal, enjoying the companionship of other dogs within a structured hierarchy. "Pack animal" in this case does not refer to the Malamute's ability to carry a load, although they do that well, but their desire to live in a structured group containing different levels of authority and subordination. This pack mentality is beneficial in a structured sled team, enabling a high level of trust and subservience to the team driver as well as to the lead dog. However, the same pack mentality can cause problems when pack members feel the need to change their level within the pack.
Very young puppies enjoy a freedom within this pack, enabling them to explore and interact with established pack members and develop their interaction skills under the direction of the older dogs. Before the age of four or five months, they live and play in youthful innocence, with little interference from the other pack members. Once they reach puberty around four or five months, the older dogs will begin to demonstrate the low rank of the younger dogs and will no longer tolerate the same indignities. Siblings or young dogs close in age will begin to quarrel among themselves to improve their rank within their own age group, and this quarrelling might even extend to the lower ranking adults in the pack. Once this hierarchy is re-established, harmony returns to the pack until the young dogs begin to exhibit their confidence as adults. This conversion to maturity will happen between ten months to two years of age, and the severity will depend on the individual dog, their strength of character and their desire to climb the ranks within the pack.
This basic component of the Malamute temperament can explain much of the behaviour exhibited by your growing Malamute companion. Your sweet, friendly, outgoing puppy can quickly turn into a bully at puppy classes, picking on the other puppies and goading them into a fight. A swift, firm reprimand is necessary to teach the puppy that you are in charge and this behaviour will not be tolerated, while much praise must be lavished on the puppy for friendly, happy play. At all times, you must be prepared to establish your control over any situation, maintaining your position as pack leader.
As your puppy blossoms into maturity, several other behaviour trends can be anticipated. Your sweet darling might begin to bristle and rumble when meeting new canine acquaintances in an attempt to establish superiority. This should not be interpreted as aggression but rather recognized as dominant behaviour resulting from his inherited background. Be prepared to introduce your dog to as many new acquaintances as you can find during this difficult time of development. You might also see challenges made toward younger or more insecure members of your family during this time, resulting in confrontations over a favourite toy, food or even space. Young dogs in this development stage must be made to tow the line. Privileges such as lying on the couch or the bed, demanding to go in and out as they please, or demanding to be fed or patted must be avoided. Dominance can also be displayed by refusing to move from an obstructing position on the floor, or refusing to allow grooming of the tail or rear or holding of paws for nail trimming. Establishing your control during the first two years of your Malamute's life will develop a healthy, balanced relationship for the rest or your dog's life. If you do not feel capable of adhering to this training regime, please reconsider your choice to bring this strong willed breed into your life. For further information on controlling dominance, please refer to A LESSON IN BECOMING ALPHA.
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