Alaskan Malamute Puppy Checklist: First 90 Days

Before the Puppy Arrives

The Non-Negotiables Before Your Malamute Comes Home

Fencing First — Not Optional

Before you bring a Malamute puppy home, your yard containment must be secure. Malamutes are strong, athletic, and highly motivated to roam. A 6-foot fence with a dig guard — buried wire mesh or a concrete footer along the base — is the minimum standard. A dog that gets out will travel far and fast, and Malamutes have strong prey drives that make off-leash safety near roads genuinely dangerous. Inspect and upgrade your fence before pickup day.

Verify Health Testing on Both Parents

• Hip dysplasia OFA evaluation: Preliminary or certified clearance on both parents
• Hereditary polyneuropathy (HPNM): DNA test results for both parents (carrier × clear is acceptable; two carriers are not)
• Eye certification: CAER evaluation on both parents

Gear Checklist

• Extra-large wire crate (36 inch for puppy start; plan for 48 inch at adult size)
• Properly fitted harness — essential for a pulling breed
• 6-foot leash (no retractable leashes)
• Undercoat rake and slicker brush — start brushing from week one
• Large breed puppy food
• Heavy food and water bowls that don't tip
• Dog bed or crate mat
• Baby gates to limit unsupervised house access
• Enzymatic cleaner
• ID tag and microchip registration

First Weeks at Home

First Vet Visit and Week-One Priorities

First Vet Appointment (Within 72 Hours of Pickup)

• Full physical exam and vaccine status review
• Set up vaccination and deworming schedule
• Discuss spay/neuter timing — large breeds typically benefit from waiting until 18–24 months
• Discuss appropriate exercise limits — no forced running or jumping on hard surfaces until growth plates close (around 18 months)
• Confirm heartworm, flea, and tick prevention plan

Start Coat Handling Immediately

Begin brushing your Malamute puppy from day one — even if there's not much to brush yet. The goal is to establish touching and brushing as a completely normal, calm experience. Malamutes that are not habituated to brushing from puppyhood can be difficult to groom as adults, when they weigh 75–85+ lbs and are less cooperative. Keep sessions short and positive.

Socialization During the Critical Window (8–16 Weeks)

Malamutes can be challenging with other dogs, particularly same-sex dogs, as adults. The socialization window is your primary tool for building positive associations. Arrange calm, controlled meetings with other dogs. Expose the puppy to a wide variety of people, sounds, surfaces, and environments. Enroll in a puppy class as soon as your vet approves.

Rules for Life

The Off-Leash Rule and Long-Term Management

Never Off-Leash in an Unsecured Area — No Exceptions

Alaskan Malamutes have a powerful prey drive and a strong desire to roam. Unlike some breeds that can be trained to reliable off-leash recall, the Malamute's independent sled-dog nature makes truly reliable off-leash recall in open areas difficult to achieve and risky to depend on. Establish this rule for everyone in your household from day one: the dog is always on leash in unsecured areas, always. An escaped Malamute near traffic is a genuine emergency.

Exercise Requirements — and the Growth Plate Rule

Adult Malamutes need substantial daily exercise — 1–2 hours of vigorous activity is ideal. However, puppies under 18 months should not be taken on forced long runs, and jumping on or off furniture and hard surfaces should be avoided. Growth plates in large breeds don't close until around 18 months, and excessive impact stress during this period contributes to joint problems. Short, free-play sessions in the yard are fine. Structured long hikes wait until adulthood.

Training Expectations

Malamutes are intelligent but not biddable in the way retriever breeds are. They were bred to make independent decisions while pulling sleds, not to follow commands instantly. Training requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement — they do not respond well to harsh correction. Enroll in obedience classes early and keep sessions short and engaging. Food motivation works well for most Malamutes.

• Establish a consistent daily routine from week one
• Crate train as a safe resting place, not punishment
• Never leave a young Malamute unsupervised with children — the dog's size alone can knock young children over unintentionally
• Begin loose-leash walking practice immediately — a Malamute that pulls on leash is exhausting