Congrats! CAN'T WAIT to see pics of Belle!! Malamutes are just gorgeous! I have a 12 week old siberian husky, Nebo. You gotta love those sled doggies!

Nebo is not afraid of ANYTHING now (attacked a plastic water bottle earlier which scared the crap out of Reggie). When we first got him, he was quite shy.......the first day he just hid under the deck and behind everyone... My friends german shorthair who is also 5 months old doesn't like the kitchen either. She freaks out when she's on it.......I think its because of the surface.....she doesn't like how she slides on the floor. She'll just hurry and run to the rug and sit there. Maybe your pup does't like the kitchen floor either?