thinking of getting an alaskan malmute

[wolfsoul]

Iilo, I feel as though you have overreacted and have taken buttercup's post in a way which it was not intended. There is no need to act out with sarcasm. Common sense is only common to some.

I don't believe that it is easier to deal with a puppy than an adult --- an older dog will already have gone through alot of maturing that includes the maturity of behaviour. While one can say that you can train a puppy to be the way you want it, an inexperienced dog owner may not know how to do this and may end up with just another shelter case.`While prevention is easier than fixing, learning how to prevent is important and only an older dog can teach this. If you want to go the puppy route, I recommend fostering an adult first. This will also help you decide if the malamute is the right breed for you.

[buttercup132]

Iilo, I feel as though you have overreacted and have taken buttercup's post in a way which it was not intended. There is no need to act out with sarcasm. Common sense is only common to some.

I don't believe that it is easier to deal with a puppy than an adult --- an older dog will already have gone through alot of maturing that includes the maturity of behaviour. While one can say that you can train a puppy to be the way you want it, an inexperienced dog owner may not know how to do this and may end up with just another shelter case.`While prevention is easier than fixing, learning how to prevent is important and only an older dog can teach this. If you want to go the puppy route, I recommend fostering an adult first. This will also help you decide if the malamute is the right breed for you.

Wow fostering seems to be a great idea, then if she likes and think the breed and dog is right for her she can adopt it.

[dab_20]

Fostering does sound like a good route to go to see if you like the breed.

[Iilo]

Buttercup,

Ok, I'll drop the sarcasm. It's a natural defense of mine.

I still stand by my opinion. I don't know where you're coming from when you say you can find well trained adult Malamutes in rescue. Not that I'm saying it isn't possible -- it is. However, Malamutes that appear to be perfectly well behaved at first may be simply going through a "honeymoon" period.

Fostering is something I'd be leary about telling someone who wants a Malamute to do. These are dogs who HAVENT had time with someone experienced with the breed, and thus are more unpredictable in temperment and behavior.

If the OP does want to go the rescue route with Malamutes, my first suggestion would be to get a dog from Golden Years in Michigan. Not only are you rescuing a dog, you're rescuing an old soul. In this case, absolutely everyone would benefit. A senior Malamute will *probably* be comparably mellow. www.goldenyearsamr.org

The Alaskan Malamute Assistance League is located at http://www.malamuterescue.org/, more specifically by states at http://www.malamuterescue.org/rescue/listorg.html

What it all comes down to is both choosing the breed and specific DOG that is right for you. Personally I believe that a puppy is best to start out with if you are committed to raising the dog right.