Are Alaskan Malamutes easy to train?

How easy are Alaskan Malamutes to train?

Alaskan Malamutes are honest work to train. The stubbornness is genuine — they're not stupid, they just have a strong independent streak and won't do something unless they understand why it's worth their while. They were not bred to take directions from humans — they were bred to think independently and act on their own judgement. That history makes them capable and impressive dogs, but not naturally inclined toward the kind of constant deference that makes training simple.

Alaskan Malamutes can be trained — with the right approach, they absolutely can be. You just can't rely on the dog to meet you halfway. The training methodology matters as much as the effort you put in.

Playfulness is an asset when training sessions are designed around it. Games and movement keep these dogs engaged. Formal, repetitive drilling doesn't. Stubbornness is the main training complication. The issue isn't understanding; it's motivation. These dogs weigh the cost of compliance and sometimes decline. Loyalty to the owner is one of the most effective training motivators that exists. Dogs that want to get it right are a different training experience from those that don't care.

Energy level and training sessions

The Alaskan Malamute's high energy means training sessions need to be active and engaging — a bored Alaskan Malamute will disengage or become disruptive. Short (5–10 min), frequent, high-energy sessions work better than longer calm ones. Incorporate movement, play rewards, and variety to keep their focus. Trying to train a high-energy Alaskan Malamute into stillness before they've had adequate exercise is a recipe for frustration on both sides.

Size, weight, and why training matters physically

At 43kg, an untrained Alaskan Malamute that pulls on lead or jumps up creates a real physical management problem — training isn't just about obedience, it's about safety. A Alaskan Malamute at full weight that hasn't learned loose-lead walking can drag a child or elderly person off their feet. Priority commands: loose lead, four-on-floor (no jumping), and a solid recall. These aren't optional with a dog this size.

Training tips specific to Alaskan Malamutes

• High-value treats only. Dry kibble doesn't cut it with a breed that has strong independent instincts. Use real chicken, cheese, or liver treats. The reward needs to be worth more than whatever else is competing for their attention.
• Short sessions, always ending positively — 5–10 minutes maximum. If a session isn't going well, step back to something the dog knows and end on a success. Never end on a failed command.
• Make it their idea — Alaskan Malamutes respond better when training feels like their choice rather than a demand. Capturing behaviour (rewarding something the dog does naturally) is often more effective than repeated command drilling.
• Puppy classes are strongly recommended. Not optional with this breed. A good trainer who understands the breed's independent nature will give you techniques that actually work.
• Patience over persistence — pushing harder when a Alaskan Malamute resists rarely works. Step back, try a different approach, and come back to it another day.
• Never repeat a command more than twice — if they haven't responded by the second ask, you've either lost their attention or the reward isn't good enough. Repeating endlessly teaches them that the command is optional.

What Alaskan Malamutes find easiest and hardest to learn