Introducing Alvin.....our first rescue from Golden Years and Few Steps from Home. We changed his name to Alvin because his previous name was awful, and, he didn't even answer to it. It was a long trip down to Gladwin (5 hrs) but so worth it. We were able to bring home this beautiful boy. He's not quite 2 years old and has a great personality. He came from Canada, was dropped off at a shelter in Maine and then found his way to Michigan. Piecing together his story based on what we know and his obvious training issues has been an adventure. While some is conjecture, this is pretty much a very common situation many young Malamute boys find themselves in....He was born April 3, 2021 and probably purchased from a breeder. He has an undershot bite, but generally is a well put together dog. He lived in the house long enough to be well potty trained...he was surrendered with a Pomeranian (they tell us they got along) and lived with 2 cats as well. His house manners are what you'd expect from a puppy....he is bitey (out of love) and wild, and silly. He has terrible separation anxity and has bonded to Dan who he screams for when he can't see him. I'm pretty sure this has to do with being abandoned young. Our guess is the people that had him didn't teach him ANYTHIHG except potty training. We had a good laugh because when he first saw one of our Orpington chickens in the house (golden color...looking like a Pomeranian with the wrong feet and head - the chicken was inside in a crate for medical reasons) I believe he thought he was seeing his 'friend'. He went nuts and wanted to say hi but seemed confused when the critter in the crate didn't smell like a Pom. Anyway, our guess is he had a good home until he got to that magical age of 8 or 9 months when young males get 'too big' and full of themselves and become a royal pain-in-the-you-know-what. Probably got too rough with the Pom, maybe even attacked it over food. (what is it with people thinking a tiny dog and a big powerful dog is a good combo?????). He was probably thrown outside on a chain after that. I say this because he was able to untangle himself quite well when tethered...dogs only learn this skill when they are very young...it's not something they can learn easily when older. He can also be quite growly talkative when playing and along with the biteyness. someone inexpericed might mistake this for aggression when it's not.
So our guess is he became an outside dog around 8-9 months in winter. He can be desperate about water and food, guards toys and bones but we really don't know why. Was he teased as a pup? Did he not get fed/watered regularly when outside? At any rate...a couple of months later he was surrendered to the Maine shelter WITH a Pomernian, and the shelter neutered him. The shelter did not feel he would be easy to place so transferred him to a Michigan rescue - Few Steps from Home. Carol of Golden Years, who I've known a long time was working with Heather at a Few Steps from Home to place Malamutes, which is how we heard of him. Somewere along the line he was taught sit, down and shake hands - he does these very nicely. He's also a very polite moocher sitting patiently and takes treats very nicely. After being dumped, he spent several months in shelter/rescue kennels. Heaven help you if he thinks he's going to miss out on something (walk, treat)....he screams. LOUD. And house manners are about what you'd expect from a big puppy never taught otherwise - he surfs the counters, he looks in garbage, pulls hard on the leash (he's STRONG), steals things, and does the bitey thing like a puppy. One of the first things I tell people is do not let them do this - correct it...It's cute as a puppy but not cute when an adult! He was apparently never taught this. He even cries like a puppy when left alone...it's hilarious and sad at the same time. He's loud (loves to talk), rowdy, and plays rough. He's desperate for attention and love and has abandonment issues. And he's a thief...like all Mals...he grabbed my hat out of my hand and wouldn't let go...we had to pry his mouth open!
The beautiful thing is he's got a second chance to relive his puppyhood...with direction and structure. He's enjoying all the things he missed...licking a dish, long walks, how to behave around other big dogs, to 'chill', to walk nicely on leash and other house dog manners. Toys and bones will come in time when he no longer guards them desperately. He's learning all the things he was never taught and we're not letting him get "into trouble" while learning, so he gets mostly positive reinforcement. He loves hearing he's a good boy!. That tail wags so hard when he's happy! He's learning to trust and has a lot of love in his heart!
Sadly, Alvin's story is all too common for young male malamutes. They are bought as a puppy, given no direction, and when they become big and unruly are abandoned like there is something wrong with them. There is nothing wrong that can't be fixed and the bad behaviors never should have continued to begin with. Many are euthanized because of this lack of training. Alvin is one of the lucky ones. We picked him up the day after Christmas and BOTH got the best Christmas present ever...we got a sweet guy and he got a forever home. You can't beat that!
