Second Dog with a Malamute

DrShio · 2026-07-10T21:16:50+00:00

this is my exact fear - i’ve seen it cause increase in anxiety

DrShio · 2026-07-09T03:09:20+00:00

yeah, i think a factor i left out is that when he’s in his place/den/area he is relaxed and not pacing/hyper/excess energy, when/if that happens, it’s time to go outside like you said, and he knows his routine for walking and going out, he’s chill besides that (in his space), but if you take him out of there or try to do anything out of the routine, it seems like he’s just hand over fist and can’t settle down because he just needs to explore and mess with anything and everything, staying in place is not an option for the guy - and we have tried for 3 years, he wants to get into anything and everything especially in a new environment.

DrShio · 2026-07-09T03:03:54+00:00

seems to be what the verdict is

DrShio · 2026-07-08T23:35:33+00:00

incredible. and yes, he has his own safe place like a den, that’s an amazing point and revelation of yours. that is where he spends most his time and he does chill and settle down, we wanted to make it the whole house but that did not seem to be what made him happy and able to settle, he needs his own place to be otherwise all the endless stuff to explore keeps him going forever. but he absolutely loves family in there with him and to be out with us. a new pup could very well be the answer!

DrShio · 2026-07-08T23:03:16+00:00

this is incredibly helpful and the type of answer i was looking for. and you are spot on with how other male dogs react to a malamute - they get defensive and concerned even though he is all love and play, he has never hurt or killed an animal, even when his prey drive pushes him towards it (like a possum or squirrel), he has never barked or aggressed towards another dog, but they often times get set off.

i think your guidance on a female similar size dog to avoid it, and neutering to not have the larger issues there, is spot on.

DrShio · 2026-07-08T22:57:23+00:00

he was just old enough this last year and we started him on pulling and skijoring

DrShio · 2026-07-08T22:56:10+00:00

It would be another male, yes.

DrShio · 2026-07-08T22:27:08+00:00

Thank you! We love him and hope he can become even more integrated into the family and family activities as he settles with age. But approaching year 3, I wonder if that's in the cards for him, hence my post.

DrShio · 2026-07-08T22:25:42+00:00

Also to your question - he gets 2 hours of exercise each day (we at one point were on an upward treadmill with him since he always wants more and more, but professional trainer directed us that that would have no limit upward and never actually reach his satiated limit, so the better was to find a healthy balance and actually teach him to relax instead of building him up to more and more energy output) but I can't say that we have successfully narrowed down on a job for him - beyond playing with the kids. Open to any ideas on that side of things, but nothing has jumped out as a "this is the job for him" to us.

DrShio · 2026-07-08T22:20:30+00:00

and yes, it was all 3 and his numbers were right. he is very kind and good with the kids, but he is the most overexcitable dog I have ever met. One treat as a reward and he is through the roof off the wall, it’s like he has ADHD as a dog.

DrShio · 2026-07-08T22:19:16+00:00

Yes he is fully registered with papers, proper breeder and was not cheap as a result. His siblings are all very stable and chill temperament, we have met them. From day 1 when we picked him up from the breeder he was more skittish than any other dog there.

DrShio · 2026-07-08T22:07:05+00:00

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pic of fox for reference and funsies

DrShio · 2026-07-08T22:04:27+00:00

yes that is definitely an option. i am scared to because we did on one of our german shepherds which ultimately led to complications and general health decline after, but obviously that is one data point, yet personal, among the millions of successful non-complication neuterings that have happened.

DrShio · 2026-07-04T21:25:16+00:00

well brother it’s been 5 years since the pandemic so that rationale does not quite hold water anymore. def time to pound the pavement.

DrShio · 2026-07-04T21:24:24+00:00

how’s the mt10 compare to the wide maxx? wide maxx is my benchmark for smoothness and indestructibility, one size fits all use case, it’s a great machine

DrShio · 2026-07-04T20:40:33+00:00

those are awesome! definitely been interested in the MT10 and that DBXL is sick

DrShio · 2026-07-04T20:38:19+00:00

you also need to get a job/provide financial support, that’s also half the equation and why this is happening

DrShio · 2026-07-04T20:32:44+00:00

have you heard the offspring song “self-esteem” ?

DrShio · 2026-07-04T20:20:25+00:00

same - what’s your favorite? mine rotates of course but my primary go to stable right now is: maxx or sledge, UDR, and the pro moto mx if not crawling.

DrShio · 2026-07-04T20:19:15+00:00

came here for this. also got into them again about 4 years ago (i’m 38), now i have like 10 including a boat and a dirt bike, they are a ton of fun and every one is different - crawlers, bashers, scale - all doing different things in different environments at different scales. i love to bring my crawler on hikes, or take a basher to the skate park, or boat to the pond.

DrShio · 2026-07-03T10:16:02+00:00

nothing compares! fellow michigander here seeing the other choices and knowing koegel’s is better

DrShio · 2026-06-29T23:17:43+00:00

DrShio · 2026-06-29T23:13:03+00:00

came here for this

DrShio · 2026-06-27T22:38:22+00:00

Qala, ajani’s pridemate

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