Alaskan Malamutes > Alaskan Malamute Discussions
Crazy walks
monty:
Hi all,
I have a 51/2 month old Alaskan Malmaute, he's a sweetie most of the time (isn't that what they all say) but lately we have been having problems on our walks. I walk him on a leash and harness and he seemed to be getting along fine, although he liked to stop every 5 seconds to sniff anything he could find. The last few walks we have been on if he wants to go one direction and I want to go the other he freaks out. Starts leaping up and down like mad, growling and nipping at my ankles and thighs and jumping up and catching my sleeves. I'm covered in bruises and it's very embarassing to be out in public and to have it seem like you are being attacked by your own dog. Has anyone else had this happen? And if so how did you deal with it.
We practice NILIF with him and are firm with him, so I have no idea what he is trying to achieve with this behaviour. I'd be delighted with any advice or help you could give me.
Sillygoose:
Wow sounds like you have your hands full. Have you tried a pich collar on him? They work wonderfully and it won't take him long to realize you're the leader and not him.
LuvmyMal:
More NILIF, keep him on leash when he is in the house and crate at night, do not allow him on furniture, beds, etc as he is now thinking he is in charge. Feed him in the crate, make him sit before entering/exiting any doors. Also is he neutered? If not NOW may be the time. I was trying to hold off on Adak, but his attitude showed me something different.
monty:
Thanks for the advice guys. We are still working on it. Practicing more NILIF, less freedom around the house etc. He just doesn't seem to like walking. He's fine for the first while, but then he'll start to whine and then all h*ll breaks loose. He'll leap and jump and go crazy. And it always seems to happen on the way home from walks. It's like he wants to get home so bad he gets totally over excited and won't listen to me at all. ??? It just has me baffled.
I am thinking about neutering, but you read so many different things about when it's a good time and when it's a bad time. How old was Adak when you got him done?
Nicole:
Yeah, the first thing that jumped out at me is the harness. You may want to get him on something that makes it impossible to leap and jump. Perhaps a Halti, Gentle Leader or a pinch collar. He can't leap and jump with those items!
I second the neutering! I've always neutered my boys at very young ages and never seen problems. I know that this is a somewhat contentious issue, but I've had dogs forever and always neutered them as younguns.
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