Behind the Breed: Alaskan Malamute

In this series we will profile breeds registered with the American Kennel Club to give dog owners some ideas of what to expect of their dog. At Denver Dog Works we work with a network of breeders and with 20 years experience and training thousands of dogs we can help the new dog owner choose a breed that is right for you, your family and lifestyle.

Trainers Notes: This was the breed of choice for our lead trainer, Michele Forto for years as a family breed. Having owned Malamutes she has first hand knowledge of the breed and with me being a northern breed enthusiast I have seen many Mal’s over the years in working dog events, sled dog races and weight pulling trials. The Alaskan Malamute is an affectionate, friendly dog, not a “one man” dog. He is a loyal, devoted companion, playful in invitation, but generally impressive by his dignity after maturity.

Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamute

The largest and oldest of the Arctic sled dogs, the Alaskan Malamute possesses great strength and endurance. He is not designed to race, but rather to carry large loads over long distances. Today, many Malamutes are family pets, but are highly athletic and still capable of enjoying sledding, weight-pulling, back-packing, jogging and swimming with their owners. The Malamute coat is thick and coarse, with a plumed tail carried over the back. The coat usually ranges in color from light gray to black or from sable to red. Face markings, including a cap on the head and a bar/mask on the face are often distinguishing features.

A Look Back
An American breed, the Alaskan Malamute was named after the native Innuit tribe called Mahlemuts, who settled in Alaska. They have always been used as sled dogs for heavy freighting in the Arctic. The breed is cousin to the other Arctic breeds: the Samoyed, the Siberian Husky and the American Eskimo dog.

Right Breed for You?
Majestic and dignified, the Alaskan Malamute is an affectionate and friendly family dog. He is highly intelligent and learns quickly, but can also be strong-willed, so training should start early. As an athletic breed, daily exercise is a necessity. The Malamute’s coat requires regular brushing and occasional bathing.

• Working Group; AKC recognized in 1935.
• Ideal size: Males – 25 inches tall at the shoulder and 85 pounds; Females – 23 inches tall at the shoulder and 75 pounds.
• Freighting.

© The American Kennel Club, Inc. http://www.akc.org

Robert Forto | Team Ineka | Alaska Dog Works | Mushing Radio | Dog Works Radio | Denver Dog Works

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Dr. Robert Forto the owner of Denver Dog Works and Alaska Dog Works, is a musher training for his first Iditarod under the Team Ineka banner and the host of the popular radio shows, Mush! You Huskies and Dog Works Radio Shows

 

Respect Training

Michele Forto is the lead trainer at Denver Dog Works

Have you heard the buzz surrounding a new training concept called “Respect Training”?  No!  Well let me explain what Respect Training is; respect training has little to do with obedience and more to do with teaching your dog what you expect from him/her and to teach him what to expect from you in return.

At Dog Works Training Centers, (Denver) & (Alaska); we teach people first and foremost how to interact and coexist with their new pet, whether they are eight weeks old or just adopted from the local shelter and who knows their age.  We do this by introducing a loose leash and a flat collar and having the owner tether the dog to themselves keeping the dog within 6 feet or less of them at all times.  The greatest benefit of this maneuver is that the dog learns that you enjoy his/her company.  You are able to keep an eye on him/her and praise immediately for doing something you like and being able to place him/her into an immediate sit if you catch him/her doing something you don’t like.  It’s not about saying “No”; rather it’s about saying “Yes, I like that!”

Another element of respect training is teaching the dog boundaries.  Without restricting them to smaller areas of the house by keeping them with you at all times they learn what you expect from them in each room of the house.  While you walk around the house whenever you stop, the dog should stop and sit and wait patiently for what’s next, this gives you the opportunity to praise your dog.

Respect training also teaches the dog how to properly greet visitors at the door by following the owner to the door and the owner then places the dog on a sit/stay while opening the door, shut the door immediately if the dog doesn’t remain in sit and repeat the process.  Have the visitor greet you and ignore the dog until they are all the way inside your home and then the visitor can interact with your dog if they choose too.

A well behaved dog indoors is a pleasure to be around and your visitors will enjoy spending time with you and your dog more often.

If you’d like more information on Respect Training you can contact me at Denver Dog Works at 303-578-9881 or you can contact Robert at Alaska Dog Works at 907-495-9109 or at www.denverdogworks.com or www.alaskadogworks.com