I’ve never lived with any of the sled dog types (Mals, Huskies, Eskimo dogs, Samoyeds) but I see them often at the dog park and in the neighborhood. I’ve seen more trouble from them at the dog park than from any other type of dogs (they’ve made way more dog-on-dog attacks than pit bulls, but that may be a product of human selection, because sane people don’t bring obviously dog-aggressive pit bulls to the dog park). Despite that, I don’t think there’s a thing wrong with Mals or any sled-type dogs per se. The problem arises because all these types of dogs need strong human leadership. Sled types are very driven. They also need and expect structure – a human directing them. If they don’t get that, they may try to take the role, and they’re not fitted for it in our modern world (your Mal isn’t going to shop for food or do your taxes). Alert, dynamic, thoughtful human guidance is what these dogs should get – think about what the dog should be doing, then show him or her.
edit: the point I was getting at is that the ones that make trouble at the dog park are usually being ignored by a human on a cell phone, they get bored, and next thing you know…trouble!
I suppose the other big dogs might detour them but if they know anything about Mals they would just bring a piece of bacon, carrot…heck even a piece of chewing gum would make them a mals best friend.
I am not a mal owner that takes them to a dog park. I know the history on mals and mine is VERY same sex aggresive and small animal aggressive like most. She was the only female in her litter so was quickly the lead female. Until she came to live with us, thats my title. They are a different breed and unfortunately people think they can take them to parks or let them run loose but fact is their instinct is just too strong. AGAIN, always exception to the rule though mine is not!
Glad to see you are thinking ahead. I don’t think it’s fair to keep a dog locked in all day.
As our house has changed, we have cut in 3 different doggie doors. At the moment, we have two. One, incase they can’t get to the back side of the house because of snow. (30 feet a year is big, but not unusual). I just use the biggest d-door we can get. Although we are not worried about anyone breaking in where we live.
And um…. Would you crawl into a doggie door that big with out knowing what may be on the other side?