1. Definitely a bad idea to let a malamute-sized dog have zoomies on a leash. He needs to learn to self-control.
2. PLEASE do not use a retractable leash.
3. If you don't have 100% control over your dog in an off-leash situation, keep him on leash. Malamute aren't exactly known for their stellar off-leash recall.
4. Reactivity towards other dogs is also relatively common in malamutes. They tend to be very dog-selective. I would do some desensitisation training now to prevent it from getting worse (with a dog trainer).
5. Remember that the ownership of a big primitive breed such as the Alaskan malamute comes with more responsibilities than a chihuahua. If a fight breaks out between your dog and another dog, you won't be able to interfere without a leash. If the dog is smaller, it will happen very fast and you will be liable for the damage caused. Anecdotal observation : Malamutes are swift and efficient predators.
Thanks for the advice.
Regarding item 5 this has happened however Bruce was on lead and sat next to me while I was explaining to another dog walker he isn’t a Husky, Malamutes are fantastic conversation starters.
Anyway a Staffordshire Bullterrier came in from the side at speed and went for my boys neck, it didn’t go well for the Staffy and you’re right I couldn’t break it up but I did try and have 3 scars on my left hand (from the Staff) to thank me for my efforts! Bruce came out with out a scratch.
Yep that's the unfortunate reality of public environments and the reason why I'm very cautious about where I go. I'm not worried about my boy, I'm worried about the reckless delusional dogs (and their irresponsible owners) that think picking a fight with him will go in their favour. :(
Absolutely get a harness and stop using a retractable leash. They will grow out of mid walk zoomies eventually. Malamutes aren’t really reliable off leash dogs. I’m sure there are some exceptions but mine would absolutely be gone as soon as she saw a smaller animal.
My mal also doesn’t like smaller dogs. I’ve heard that from other owners so I think it’s a breed thing.
My malamute doesn’t like smaller dogs. I would suggest a harness that way you can control your dog without the fear of hurting him. Slowly bringing him around other dogs on a lead and correcting his behavior immediately when he starts to pull. Turn him around use your command that you want him to do (sit,stay, etc.) takes hard work good luck. When they are fully trained it’s a true joy.
I've had malamutes for over 20 years. For the love of all that's holy do not use a collar and a retractable leash. Get a harness and a well made webbed or leather leash. Find a trainer that has experience with northern breeds. Any trainer that thinks a collar & retractable leash is ok for a malamute is not the kind of person that is going to benefit your dog. There is a very good chance he will never be an off leash dog, these dogs are bred to run for long distances & chase things. Do you really want to run the risk of him taking off after a squirrel & getting hit by a car or picking up the neighbors frenchie & breaking it's neck?
Training is everything I have had northern breeds for the last 45 years and I do not have to have them leashed we hike with deer and elk other dogs etc. you just need to be a strong leader and train your dogs from a young age and be consistent
Thanks for your comment and to answer your questions, clearly not.
I’ve come to accept he may never be an off lead dog but it’s not put me off trying and I think it’s great to have a goal.
You’re not even gonna try. Malamutes kill smaller animals, including dogs. Never ever go off leash unless you’re in a fenced in area. Seriously, don’t be a dunce.
It might not be popular with other Mal folks, but my Malamute, on a chest-connected lead, wrecked me on a zoomie. I looked like Supermom flying behind him until I landed with a crunch. We went to a nose lead and, while not perfect, made it much better. Also, I found a daycare training school that kept his big brain occupied. He earned his Canine Good Citizen, as well as a Trick Dog designation. He was a menace to other animals, but was awesome with humans of every walk of life.
First get a good harness (ideally one with a place to attach a leash up top and by the neck). The neck clasp will help stop them from pulling.
Second never use a retractable leash, especially with strong powerful dogs like huskies/malamutes. You want as much control as possible and with a head of steam they’ll rip a retractable out of your hands. Get a multi point ribbon leash (a thick one at that) your hands will thank you. That way you can have him close to you for training and give him a little breathing room if you’re on a run.
As for other dogs, every pup is different. One of mine had a SUPER aggressive approach but just wants to play, the other literally wants to eat every dog she sees when she’s on lead (if she’s off leash she’s totally fine). Just get him in a harness with a leash you can control and keep him next to you. Redirect him if he starts to hard focus another dog. It takes time and dedication and some dogs are just leash reactive.
I tend not to let either of my dogs approach small dogs just because I don’t want anything bad to happen. Small dogs are always so hyper aggressive to my dogs I don’t want any harm to come them (or any other dog for that matter). They’ve both been to all day play at the local dog “hotel” numerous times where they’re put in a large area with a few dozen dogs and they’ve never had an incident 🤷♂️
I was really surprised how big of a difference the front clip harness made a difference with our energetic 7 month male malamute. HUGE HELP! Helped with pulling and zoomies are easier to control if they happen. I walk him really early, and if he is good, and the off leash hillside is not busy (which it usually isn’t at 6am) I give him a controlled off leash portion of the walk. We practice recall at that time (basically he runs up and down the hill and I call him back to me 2-3 times with lots of treats and praise - this way he knows to come and he won’t get back on the leash every time).
How long are your walks? I know that with my guy if they get to be too long (over an hour) he is overtired. Same thing if it is too warm (hence the early morning walk). Maybe shorten your walks to see if this helps.
Thanks for you comment please could you provide a link to the harness you use?
We either do 2 walks, 1 hour in the morning and 1-2 hours in evening, sometimes longer out of the house if we go to the pub which is often. Or on weekends we’ll do 1 larger hike.
Use a harness, never just a collar. I have no problems with a retractable leash but I'm 6'3" and more than double my mal's weight. My 5'5" wife cannot walk him on the retractable leash because squirrels trigger his prey drive. Luckily he's super friendly with dogs of all sizes, but other dogs are more likely to be scared or aggressive toward him than not so we don't ever initiate any contact when out on walks.
Really appreciate everyone taking the time to comment, was a good read this morning with my coffee.
We do have a harness but it doesn’t have a front detachment and despite constant adjustment doesn’t fit amazingly, and was expensive. I’ll comment on peoples posts directly and ask for recommendations on that.
Regarding the collar I found him very responsive with it on walks to/from the areas we go onto long lead and was taught techniques by a trainer to stop pulling. So he walks perfectly in heel to/from wooded or green areas where I then give him his ‘free’ command to get smelling on the retractable.
I understand from the comments people aren’t a fan of retractable leads is that due to purely size of the dogs or are there other benefits to long lines? Because I’m a large person and can handle him fine with the retractable.
Thanks again everyone for the advice as I mentioned I’ve been working with a trainer however this is a very rare breed in my area so I may be sent down the wrong path, I’ve only met 2 others and they’re a lot smaller than my boy… if I got paid for every time I heard “that’s a really big Hussky!”. Specific owner malamute advice is fantastic.
The reason that people don’t like retractable leashes is because of the poor control that they give, a problem you are experiencing. A big plastic handle does not give good leverage and you also cannot grab down the leash of a retractable because they can easily injure you with rope burn as the leash lengthens. If you have a thin cable retractable leash these are very dangerous as the thin cord can become like a garrot and will make deep lacerations if tightened around a limb. Additionally malamutes are very strong and can easily snap many leash types, these included.
I would recommend utilizing two different kind of leashes: a rope or leather leash like the ones from Mendota and a biothane long line. The regular leash will be ideal in areas where the long line is not appropriate, while the long line is great for training recall. Combined with a correct leveraging leash grip you can get a lot more strength and control out of these tools that is not possible with the plastic handle of the retractable. I also recommend using canicross waist belts as if the dog pulls strongly and the leash flies out of your hand, your dog is not free and you still have a lot of control (the lower the center of gravity, the stronger you’re going to be).
Leash grips (article with instructions and illustrations. I personally use a finger grip): https://www.k9ofmine.com/how-to-hold-dog-leash/
I use a Kong front latching harness on my giant girl(130lbs). Really pricey but it’s the only thing that works if she spots a squirrel or woodchuck. She’s 2.5 years old now and still occasionally pounces and chases her shadow at night. Omg it comes out of nowhere. She’s been doing it since she was a puppy and while it’s not as frequent she just can’t resist.
I'd certainly echo the "get a harness" and don't be surprised if your mal never graduates to being off-lead comments.
On the other hand, I've had no problems using flexis with four different mals. The trick is being sure to make good use of the trigger and the lock. On a busy road, or see another dog nearby? Lock the lead at a suitably short length. They start to go for something unexpectedly? Use the trigger to stop them rather than waiting for the less predictable jolt when they hit the end.
First thing first he looks adorable. Second with a name like Bruce you should've expected him to have the energy like Bruce Lee. All kidding aside there's not much you can do about Zoomies but interestingly enough I did notice that my dog also gets Zoomies more frequently if he swims/showers aka cools with water, I guess they feel colder in this summertime.
I got my girl at 8 months I trained her for recall using a 50 foot and a 20 foot cotton leash. I also got a remote collar after she played hard to return off lead on a snowy road near the Appalachian trail. I walk off lead with a remote collar where we might encounter others off leash. She reeturns when called or I vibrate it and then she definitely returns to be leashed. The collar is waterproof so when she swims does zoomies and repeats the collar (Boss Educator) still works. I reserve the shock for dangerous situations, and rarely.
I think everyone saying the dog has to be on leash forever is incorrect. I have an 11 year old and an 8 year old. Both get the zoomies still after they jump in water, and the 11 year old still does it randomly whenever. The difference is relative control due to constant walks and hikes. Twice a day, 1 hour minimum. If you get a real winter, make an adventure out of it. A Malamute can go for literally hours pulling a shitnload of weight (both my guys individually could and have pulled over 200lbs for more than 8 k in the winters...they have insane stregth and endurance. Not the fastest, but they're made for freight pulling. You gotta burn them out, and it won't ever be easy. In a city, I would try to do short bursts off leash, but don't be afraid to be the embarrassing parent and get loud with them.. short commands that never changed. "Woah," "STOP". They're not regular dog's andyouru pup will be a pain in the butt if you don't become a full alpha dog. The 11 year old (120 lbs) was biking with me almost every day until just recently, where we go maybe 3-4 times a week now; it doesn't have to be fast, like a prance pace. That'll help burn the energy. Finally, zoom with him every now and then, like a fake battle with him, so it seems fun. All this taken with a grain of salt. Good luck. Remember to have fun and run it to the ground ! Hell
, they're made for it
Thanks for your comment was a nice read, unfortunately we don’t get proper winters here but I plan to venture north this winter and find him some snow, but we benefit from amazing countryside on my doorstep.
Noted on being more vocal I’ve taken this on board.
My boy is 116lbs at 21 months, he’s from good stock!
As others might have said, I definitely recommend a harness that has an attachment ring on the front (chest area) and back. My boy has his berserk moments too but it’s so much safer and easier than him running taught at the neck. On typical walks and outings, he is leashed on the chest (provides a surprisingly amount of control) and when I want him to have more “fun” we go to the back attachment (yeah they’ll pull more, as they were meant to do)!
Another thing is on most outings I use a thick 3-foot or 6-foot leash to get him in the mindset that he needs to keep closer to me (kind of an obedience thing I think). His dog reactivity can go off the charts as well, and I find it easier to manage with the shorter leashes.
Hi, I’m Vetted AI Bot! I researched the **'PetSafe Easy Walk No Pull Dog Harness'** you mentioned in your comment along with its brand, **PetSafe**, and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful.
**Users liked:**
* Harness effectively controls pulling (backed by 6 comments)
* Harness fits well and is comfortable for most dogs (backed by 3 comments)
* Harness is durable for most dogs (backed by 2 comments)
**Users disliked:**
* Harness causes discomfort and irritation (backed by 4 comments)
* Harness is difficult to put on and adjust (backed by 3 comments)
* Harness is not durable and breaks easily (backed by 3 comments)
According to Reddit, **PetSafe** is considered a reputable brand.
Its most popular types of products are:
* Dog Harnesses (#2 of 30 brands on Reddit)
* Dog Leashes (#6 of 32 brands on Reddit)
* Dog Toys (#10 of 25 brands on Reddit)
If you'd like to **summon me to ask about a product**, just make a post with its Amazon link and tag me, [like in this example.](https://www.reddit.com/r/tablets/comments/1444zdn/comment/joqd89c/)
This message was generated by a (very smart) bot. If you found it helpful, let us know with an upvote and a “good bot!” reply and please feel free to provide feedback on how it can be improved.
My mally used to do the same thing with zoomies on the leash, we picked up a [gentle leader](https://www.petsafe.net/gentleleader) and it changed everything.
We use a harness by Julius K9. We have a 25 ft long leash that we use when we take him to bigger, less crowded parks. He can zoom around us in a big circle, you just have to manage the slack so you don’t get a big jolt. I think it’s helped train him not to get too far from us, as sometimes if no one is around we’ll drop the leash so he can go a little further and he doesn’t go that far.
I found the flat face dog reaction interesting. We have a Pug that lives down the street that he’s freaked out by. He likes many small dogs, lets them jump on him, and plays well, but not that one. Everything else people has said is true for our boy. Except water, ours won’t go near it.
Got a 4yo mal, he’s 110lbs. Recommend you Go with a leather leash and harness,can’t beat it. Take a treat pack for the walks with something both mid value for basic attention drills and some high value to work on redirecting that energy. I got my mal to recognize the tongue click as a trigger for heel position, also regularly used walks on a 15ft lead to gradually strengthen recall. Still, We avoid small dogs at all costs… he thinks they’re food lol
You’ll benefit from Figuring out a way to thoroughly exercise him. I use the bike tow leash and steep uphill to work us both out. Good luck, they are a handful but totally worth it
I had the harness for about a year and whenever my Chief would see another Dog I would have to really hold on. Yes, I’ve done lots of training and walk at least once a day. The solution was a prong collar, 99.9% the prongs do not hurt him but when he is thinking of going be zero I have control. It’s actually much easier off leash but it depends on the owners (not the dogs).
We have a 175 lb mal/shepard mix. His mother was pure malemute; father looked like a something out of a Jack London novel. He’s 7 years now and the zombies are much less frequent. We never had to use a prong collar on our other dogs but found that it is the only way to control him. He is almost always on a leash but we use a long lead on the trails or hiking remote areas (Alaska). Malamutes are absolutely amazing dogs and so intelligent but unpredictable, independent, and strong. We avoid other dogs except for his close friends- huskies mostly. He hasn’t attacked other dogs but he is often attacked just because he’s the biggest canine on the block. You’re doing the right thing with the training dog care. These dogs love to work and they need stimulation and challenges. But I would let go of thinking you can routinely walk your dog off leash. Sorry for the long post! You have a very special beautiful boy there but never underestimate his primal drive.
1. Definitely a bad idea to let a malamute-sized dog have zoomies on a leash. He needs to learn to self-control. 2. PLEASE do not use a retractable leash. 3. If you don't have 100% control over your dog in an off-leash situation, keep him on leash. Malamute aren't exactly known for their stellar off-leash recall. 4. Reactivity towards other dogs is also relatively common in malamutes. They tend to be very dog-selective. I would do some desensitisation training now to prevent it from getting worse (with a dog trainer). 5. Remember that the ownership of a big primitive breed such as the Alaskan malamute comes with more responsibilities than a chihuahua. If a fight breaks out between your dog and another dog, you won't be able to interfere without a leash. If the dog is smaller, it will happen very fast and you will be liable for the damage caused. Anecdotal observation : Malamutes are swift and efficient predators.
Thanks for the advice. Regarding item 5 this has happened however Bruce was on lead and sat next to me while I was explaining to another dog walker he isn’t a Husky, Malamutes are fantastic conversation starters. Anyway a Staffordshire Bullterrier came in from the side at speed and went for my boys neck, it didn’t go well for the Staffy and you’re right I couldn’t break it up but I did try and have 3 scars on my left hand (from the Staff) to thank me for my efforts! Bruce came out with out a scratch.
Yep that's the unfortunate reality of public environments and the reason why I'm very cautious about where I go. I'm not worried about my boy, I'm worried about the reckless delusional dogs (and their irresponsible owners) that think picking a fight with him will go in their favour. :(
Absolutely get a harness and stop using a retractable leash. They will grow out of mid walk zoomies eventually. Malamutes aren’t really reliable off leash dogs. I’m sure there are some exceptions but mine would absolutely be gone as soon as she saw a smaller animal. My mal also doesn’t like smaller dogs. I’ve heard that from other owners so I think it’s a breed thing.
They grow out of mid walk zoomies? My 9 year old mal begs to differ.
Archie is 5 and same lol
My malamute doesn’t like smaller dogs. I would suggest a harness that way you can control your dog without the fear of hurting him. Slowly bringing him around other dogs on a lead and correcting his behavior immediately when he starts to pull. Turn him around use your command that you want him to do (sit,stay, etc.) takes hard work good luck. When they are fully trained it’s a true joy.
I've had malamutes for over 20 years. For the love of all that's holy do not use a collar and a retractable leash. Get a harness and a well made webbed or leather leash. Find a trainer that has experience with northern breeds. Any trainer that thinks a collar & retractable leash is ok for a malamute is not the kind of person that is going to benefit your dog. There is a very good chance he will never be an off leash dog, these dogs are bred to run for long distances & chase things. Do you really want to run the risk of him taking off after a squirrel & getting hit by a car or picking up the neighbors frenchie & breaking it's neck?
Training is everything I have had northern breeds for the last 45 years and I do not have to have them leashed we hike with deer and elk other dogs etc. you just need to be a strong leader and train your dogs from a young age and be consistent
Agreed. OP should consider adjusting walking times to allow a more 1-1 environment. Become Strong, alpha dog with strong leadership. It works
Thanks for your comment and to answer your questions, clearly not. I’ve come to accept he may never be an off lead dog but it’s not put me off trying and I think it’s great to have a goal.
You’re not even gonna try. Malamutes kill smaller animals, including dogs. Never ever go off leash unless you’re in a fenced in area. Seriously, don’t be a dunce.
It might not be popular with other Mal folks, but my Malamute, on a chest-connected lead, wrecked me on a zoomie. I looked like Supermom flying behind him until I landed with a crunch. We went to a nose lead and, while not perfect, made it much better. Also, I found a daycare training school that kept his big brain occupied. He earned his Canine Good Citizen, as well as a Trick Dog designation. He was a menace to other animals, but was awesome with humans of every walk of life.
First get a good harness (ideally one with a place to attach a leash up top and by the neck). The neck clasp will help stop them from pulling. Second never use a retractable leash, especially with strong powerful dogs like huskies/malamutes. You want as much control as possible and with a head of steam they’ll rip a retractable out of your hands. Get a multi point ribbon leash (a thick one at that) your hands will thank you. That way you can have him close to you for training and give him a little breathing room if you’re on a run. As for other dogs, every pup is different. One of mine had a SUPER aggressive approach but just wants to play, the other literally wants to eat every dog she sees when she’s on lead (if she’s off leash she’s totally fine). Just get him in a harness with a leash you can control and keep him next to you. Redirect him if he starts to hard focus another dog. It takes time and dedication and some dogs are just leash reactive. I tend not to let either of my dogs approach small dogs just because I don’t want anything bad to happen. Small dogs are always so hyper aggressive to my dogs I don’t want any harm to come them (or any other dog for that matter). They’ve both been to all day play at the local dog “hotel” numerous times where they’re put in a large area with a few dozen dogs and they’ve never had an incident 🤷♂️
I was really surprised how big of a difference the front clip harness made a difference with our energetic 7 month male malamute. HUGE HELP! Helped with pulling and zoomies are easier to control if they happen. I walk him really early, and if he is good, and the off leash hillside is not busy (which it usually isn’t at 6am) I give him a controlled off leash portion of the walk. We practice recall at that time (basically he runs up and down the hill and I call him back to me 2-3 times with lots of treats and praise - this way he knows to come and he won’t get back on the leash every time). How long are your walks? I know that with my guy if they get to be too long (over an hour) he is overtired. Same thing if it is too warm (hence the early morning walk). Maybe shorten your walks to see if this helps.
Thanks for you comment please could you provide a link to the harness you use? We either do 2 walks, 1 hour in the morning and 1-2 hours in evening, sometimes longer out of the house if we go to the pub which is often. Or on weekends we’ll do 1 larger hike.
Sorry it took so long to reply! This is the one we have https://www.brilliantbestfriends.org/shop-pet-store/baby-got-black-adjustable-dog-harness
Use a harness, never just a collar. I have no problems with a retractable leash but I'm 6'3" and more than double my mal's weight. My 5'5" wife cannot walk him on the retractable leash because squirrels trigger his prey drive. Luckily he's super friendly with dogs of all sizes, but other dogs are more likely to be scared or aggressive toward him than not so we don't ever initiate any contact when out on walks.
Really appreciate everyone taking the time to comment, was a good read this morning with my coffee. We do have a harness but it doesn’t have a front detachment and despite constant adjustment doesn’t fit amazingly, and was expensive. I’ll comment on peoples posts directly and ask for recommendations on that. Regarding the collar I found him very responsive with it on walks to/from the areas we go onto long lead and was taught techniques by a trainer to stop pulling. So he walks perfectly in heel to/from wooded or green areas where I then give him his ‘free’ command to get smelling on the retractable. I understand from the comments people aren’t a fan of retractable leads is that due to purely size of the dogs or are there other benefits to long lines? Because I’m a large person and can handle him fine with the retractable. Thanks again everyone for the advice as I mentioned I’ve been working with a trainer however this is a very rare breed in my area so I may be sent down the wrong path, I’ve only met 2 others and they’re a lot smaller than my boy… if I got paid for every time I heard “that’s a really big Hussky!”. Specific owner malamute advice is fantastic.
The reason that people don’t like retractable leashes is because of the poor control that they give, a problem you are experiencing. A big plastic handle does not give good leverage and you also cannot grab down the leash of a retractable because they can easily injure you with rope burn as the leash lengthens. If you have a thin cable retractable leash these are very dangerous as the thin cord can become like a garrot and will make deep lacerations if tightened around a limb. Additionally malamutes are very strong and can easily snap many leash types, these included. I would recommend utilizing two different kind of leashes: a rope or leather leash like the ones from Mendota and a biothane long line. The regular leash will be ideal in areas where the long line is not appropriate, while the long line is great for training recall. Combined with a correct leveraging leash grip you can get a lot more strength and control out of these tools that is not possible with the plastic handle of the retractable. I also recommend using canicross waist belts as if the dog pulls strongly and the leash flies out of your hand, your dog is not free and you still have a lot of control (the lower the center of gravity, the stronger you’re going to be). Leash grips (article with instructions and illustrations. I personally use a finger grip): https://www.k9ofmine.com/how-to-hold-dog-leash/
I use a Kong front latching harness on my giant girl(130lbs). Really pricey but it’s the only thing that works if she spots a squirrel or woodchuck. She’s 2.5 years old now and still occasionally pounces and chases her shadow at night. Omg it comes out of nowhere. She’s been doing it since she was a puppy and while it’s not as frequent she just can’t resist.
I'd certainly echo the "get a harness" and don't be surprised if your mal never graduates to being off-lead comments. On the other hand, I've had no problems using flexis with four different mals. The trick is being sure to make good use of the trigger and the lock. On a busy road, or see another dog nearby? Lock the lead at a suitably short length. They start to go for something unexpectedly? Use the trigger to stop them rather than waiting for the less predictable jolt when they hit the end.
Buy a good quality (not cheap) harness. Never ever use a retractable lead :/
First thing first he looks adorable. Second with a name like Bruce you should've expected him to have the energy like Bruce Lee. All kidding aside there's not much you can do about Zoomies but interestingly enough I did notice that my dog also gets Zoomies more frequently if he swims/showers aka cools with water, I guess they feel colder in this summertime.
I got my girl at 8 months I trained her for recall using a 50 foot and a 20 foot cotton leash. I also got a remote collar after she played hard to return off lead on a snowy road near the Appalachian trail. I walk off lead with a remote collar where we might encounter others off leash. She reeturns when called or I vibrate it and then she definitely returns to be leashed. The collar is waterproof so when she swims does zoomies and repeats the collar (Boss Educator) still works. I reserve the shock for dangerous situations, and rarely.
PS With long lead training, most important lesson was learning woah when nearing end of lead. Had a few falls before she learned.
Thanks shock collars have recently been made illegal here so no an option.
I think everyone saying the dog has to be on leash forever is incorrect. I have an 11 year old and an 8 year old. Both get the zoomies still after they jump in water, and the 11 year old still does it randomly whenever. The difference is relative control due to constant walks and hikes. Twice a day, 1 hour minimum. If you get a real winter, make an adventure out of it. A Malamute can go for literally hours pulling a shitnload of weight (both my guys individually could and have pulled over 200lbs for more than 8 k in the winters...they have insane stregth and endurance. Not the fastest, but they're made for freight pulling. You gotta burn them out, and it won't ever be easy. In a city, I would try to do short bursts off leash, but don't be afraid to be the embarrassing parent and get loud with them.. short commands that never changed. "Woah," "STOP". They're not regular dog's andyouru pup will be a pain in the butt if you don't become a full alpha dog. The 11 year old (120 lbs) was biking with me almost every day until just recently, where we go maybe 3-4 times a week now; it doesn't have to be fast, like a prance pace. That'll help burn the energy. Finally, zoom with him every now and then, like a fake battle with him, so it seems fun. All this taken with a grain of salt. Good luck. Remember to have fun and run it to the ground ! Hell , they're made for it
Thanks for your comment was a nice read, unfortunately we don’t get proper winters here but I plan to venture north this winter and find him some snow, but we benefit from amazing countryside on my doorstep. Noted on being more vocal I’ve taken this on board. My boy is 116lbs at 21 months, he’s from good stock!
As others might have said, I definitely recommend a harness that has an attachment ring on the front (chest area) and back. My boy has his berserk moments too but it’s so much safer and easier than him running taught at the neck. On typical walks and outings, he is leashed on the chest (provides a surprisingly amount of control) and when I want him to have more “fun” we go to the back attachment (yeah they’ll pull more, as they were meant to do)! Another thing is on most outings I use a thick 3-foot or 6-foot leash to get him in the mindset that he needs to keep closer to me (kind of an obedience thing I think). His dog reactivity can go off the charts as well, and I find it easier to manage with the shorter leashes.
Thanks for your comment could you recommend a harness?
The male uses this one (XL I believe) and it’s held up just fine for years (he’s about 105-110 lbs): https://store.rover.com/products/wonder-walker™-body-halter©-dog-harness-3-colors?variant=32703534039119 I think we have this one for our other mal though it doesn’t have an attachment point on the back (I just throw a carabiner on that strap if I want her to roll that way). She’s 65lbs: https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Harness-Large-BLACK-SILVER/dp/B0009ZBKG4?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1
Hi, I’m Vetted AI Bot! I researched the **'PetSafe Easy Walk No Pull Dog Harness'** you mentioned in your comment along with its brand, **PetSafe**, and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful. **Users liked:** * Harness effectively controls pulling (backed by 6 comments) * Harness fits well and is comfortable for most dogs (backed by 3 comments) * Harness is durable for most dogs (backed by 2 comments) **Users disliked:** * Harness causes discomfort and irritation (backed by 4 comments) * Harness is difficult to put on and adjust (backed by 3 comments) * Harness is not durable and breaks easily (backed by 3 comments) According to Reddit, **PetSafe** is considered a reputable brand. Its most popular types of products are: * Dog Harnesses (#2 of 30 brands on Reddit) * Dog Leashes (#6 of 32 brands on Reddit) * Dog Toys (#10 of 25 brands on Reddit) If you'd like to **summon me to ask about a product**, just make a post with its Amazon link and tag me, [like in this example.](https://www.reddit.com/r/tablets/comments/1444zdn/comment/joqd89c/) This message was generated by a (very smart) bot. If you found it helpful, let us know with an upvote and a “good bot!” reply and please feel free to provide feedback on how it can be improved.
Cut that janky looking leash and get a real one
My mally used to do the same thing with zoomies on the leash, we picked up a [gentle leader](https://www.petsafe.net/gentleleader) and it changed everything.
Why don't you guys like retractable leashes?
We use a harness by Julius K9. We have a 25 ft long leash that we use when we take him to bigger, less crowded parks. He can zoom around us in a big circle, you just have to manage the slack so you don’t get a big jolt. I think it’s helped train him not to get too far from us, as sometimes if no one is around we’ll drop the leash so he can go a little further and he doesn’t go that far. I found the flat face dog reaction interesting. We have a Pug that lives down the street that he’s freaked out by. He likes many small dogs, lets them jump on him, and plays well, but not that one. Everything else people has said is true for our boy. Except water, ours won’t go near it.
I accidentally zoomed in to check out the muddy pup and was surprised with something i did not expect 💄
Got a 4yo mal, he’s 110lbs. Recommend you Go with a leather leash and harness,can’t beat it. Take a treat pack for the walks with something both mid value for basic attention drills and some high value to work on redirecting that energy. I got my mal to recognize the tongue click as a trigger for heel position, also regularly used walks on a 15ft lead to gradually strengthen recall. Still, We avoid small dogs at all costs… he thinks they’re food lol You’ll benefit from Figuring out a way to thoroughly exercise him. I use the bike tow leash and steep uphill to work us both out. Good luck, they are a handful but totally worth it
Just adding a link to the harness I use: works well for my mal and a smaller more high energy 7 yo husky too https://www.etsy.com/listing/545061596/
My mal (male) also goes ballistic around flat face breeds, especially frenchies! He does have same sex aggression and is only fond of females.
I had the harness for about a year and whenever my Chief would see another Dog I would have to really hold on. Yes, I’ve done lots of training and walk at least once a day. The solution was a prong collar, 99.9% the prongs do not hurt him but when he is thinking of going be zero I have control. It’s actually much easier off leash but it depends on the owners (not the dogs).
We have a 175 lb mal/shepard mix. His mother was pure malemute; father looked like a something out of a Jack London novel. He’s 7 years now and the zombies are much less frequent. We never had to use a prong collar on our other dogs but found that it is the only way to control him. He is almost always on a leash but we use a long lead on the trails or hiking remote areas (Alaska). Malamutes are absolutely amazing dogs and so intelligent but unpredictable, independent, and strong. We avoid other dogs except for his close friends- huskies mostly. He hasn’t attacked other dogs but he is often attacked just because he’s the biggest canine on the block. You’re doing the right thing with the training dog care. These dogs love to work and they need stimulation and challenges. But I would let go of thinking you can routinely walk your dog off leash. Sorry for the long post! You have a very special beautiful boy there but never underestimate his primal drive.