And there you go. Perfectly correct.

Ugh. That is what I've been trying to say...

A dog, all dogs, any dog is first and foremost what the genetic make up tells it is ... And that is virtually 100 Percent wolf. Then comes the breed traits. Us, Homo sapiens, we are hunter gatherers primarily because that is what our genes tell us we are. On the surface we may not have a clue how to survive in the wild as a hunter gatherer but it is all there underneath the surface lurking! Thrown into the wild, having to survive on my own wits, making shelter, fire etc ... I could do that and so could all of us. It's there in all of us ... Just as the wolf is there in all our dogs because they are first and foremost wolf ... Breed second.

Good morning !
Wow this discussion Its very good to hear different aspects/experiences.And I only ask because I have only my recent ones with Myrsky (since 5 weeks).
@ Jackie, as Dibbytd. said, I was wondering about the link from the malamute page, and so they advice for the meal to eat first because the "leader" eats first. I don't know if this is why there might be more wolve in them, and to be honest i don't care, but if it helps to get more "respect" (thats what it is for they said) why not eating first!?! It will just train him to be patient. And we surely don't hold him down, rather he lies down relaxed, because he likes to be pad on his belly and chest But yes Dibbythedog:I wont take the bowl away, but I thought it will make him less food guarded?! We just make him sit before as you do.
And we decided to get this kind of dog, because I need an active dog, I used to run 5-6 days a week (8-10 km) or do other kind of sports. And because we live now in Finland we have the opportunity to go sledding (when he is old enough). We read about the character of both breeds, but never owned/raised a puppy.
@gnasher, yes what you said about left alone.. I can see, its just a drama if one of us leaves (into the supermarket f.ex)He is crying and pulling so much, Im scared he strangles himself.He loves to be pad on his chest too to calm him down it works A lot of work/training to do with him.
Actually if I could I would like to post a video of Myrsky so you can see how he is/we are acting.

I'd love to see a video of Myrsky!

Re: the eating first: yes, that's certainly something you can do. In a group, the top ranking members do eat first, and eat best. Another thing you can do is 'gesture eating': when you make up Myrsky's dinner, do it up on the counter, out of reach, and put something on top like a cracker or vegetable that you like (use a little plate if you don't want to get dog food on it). Then, while he's watching, you eat that-- then put the food down for him. Effectively you're saying 'There, I've had what I want, I'm done. All this is for you.' It's a bit more extreme than simply eating first, but if you're feeding him more times a day than you want to eat, having a cracker before him is you demonstrating your priority. And yes, it will teach him to be patient-- he knows he is getting food, he just has to wait. Since you always leave enough, you're also demonstrating that you're the kind of leader who won't let their family starve.

Since you like running and sports, you've got a good companion in Myrsky! Just do be careful not to exercise him too much while he's little. Frequent bursts with a rest in between is best. He'll set his own pace. While his bones are growing, you want to give him just the right amount to keep him strong, but not strain him. He'll be ready for those long runs soon!

I never succeeded in tiring Laszlo, not even once. I can't run-- I'm very asthmatic and my knees are rubbish-- but I can walk for Britain and he must have run five times any distance I covered. I think our longest walk was 9 hours (we did stop for lunch... I brought tinned mackerel) and by the time we got home Berkeley and I were knackered but he was like 'That was great! Can we do it again? Can we can we can we huh huh huh?' By contrast, Taji is a great big lazybutt... but he didn't have the energetic upbringing you're going to give Myrsky.

i love reading your posts strangechilde, i always learn something from them ... which i guess what dogsey is all about!

If feeding your dog first fits into your lifestyle then that`s a good reason to do it, as you say getting him to sit and wait will teach him manners, there is nothing wrong with that, but the best thing you can do for yourself is forget the "wolf like behaviour" your boy is not a wolf and its debatable as to whether he has any wolf in its ancestry at all, hers a little snippet for the Siberian husky information sheet.

Also the KC Alaskan Malamute information page......


https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...Ev2wEnMeLvOwNQ


Better to believe the people who go back to the origins of these breeds than myths about them being wolf like in behaviour.

Both breeds belong to the spitz group, spits does not equate wolf, its a type of dog that was developed in Nordic countries to be hardy cope with extreme weather, and to have an independent nature.

I am glad you are not following any advice about taking your dogs food bowl away while he is eating, this is a sure way to instill food aggression into your dog, how would you like it if every time you ate your tea someone bent over your should and took your food away as you are eating it, you will become defensive with one eye on the food and one eye looking over your shoulder. this is only going to end one way..... he will start to defend his food. feed your boy in a quiet place where he can enjoy his food without any distractions.

What you need to remember is your dog is a dog, you are a human, he does not see you as a dog and you should not see yourself as a dog either. dogs and humans have got along for thousands of years, both being the species they are, both don`t have personality disorders..... so there is no need to eat before your dog to make sure he sees you as alpha, nor is there a need to eat something out of his bowl to make sure he sees you as alpha, same goes for any dominate based theories .

Yes you need to teach your pup what is acceptable behaviour, sitting before eating, not barging out of doors , jumping up and any other behaviour you find unacceptable, but all this if for your benefit, to have a nice dog to live with and not a thug.... your dog is never going to see himself as your equal or superior, hes a dog, and if feeding him after you is not going to trigger a response where he want s to take over the world or your household.

I feed my dogs first thing in the morning, at lunch time (when they are pups) and before we have out evening meal, it suits my routine and I have yet to ever have a dog that has conspired to take over the house!!

Enjoy your pup for what he is , a pup that is behaving as a pup, he needs to be trained, and shown what is acceptable, when he is older it sounds like you are an ideal owner to suit his exercise needs.

Excellent Jackie re not taking a dog's food bowl away whilst he is eating ... A sure fire way of getting bitten and as you say could lead to food aggression. Why would anyone want to do such a thing beats me ... If someone took my plate away whilst I was eating their hand would be impaled instantly with my fork!

In puppies, to help prevent food aggression, it's often recommended to slowly add food to their bowl while they are eating to help them learn that you are no threat to their food. I've seen very young puppies growl over food the entire time this was done, though. It's not helpful in that case as though he can't YET do anything, he doesn't want you near his food.

Mine were fed with me holding their bowls and sitting down near them. I bring the food, I bring the bowl down, but I never let go. You want to eat, you do it with me right there. I'd then move my hand about the bowl, and lightly touch the dog every now and then. The dogs quickly learned that I'm the food giver, not the food taker. No harm, no foul.

Under no circumstances do I advise simply feeding a dog alone and never inserting yourself into his feeding times. Don't take his food, as that is not necessary, and you're trying to teach him that this is exactly what you're NOT going to do. Your dog should be comfortable with you near him while he is eating. Food and resource guarding often sneaks up on people.

Myrsky, eat or pretend to eat first as Jan Fennel does, if you are happy with that . I dont think it matters but you arent doing any harm.
I see you have had some answers which I've only glanced over so hope I'm not repeating myself , some of the rules of rank reduction arent apparently based on true wolf behaviour.
Wolf packs ,which are generally small family units, are about co- operation and Alpha wolves dont always eat first and there isnt always a strict linear heirarchy .
We've recently had this discussion in the Jack Russel puppy thread so I don't want to start another one off about it . There's info in the links I gave.

I would love to see the film photos of Myrsky, I'm sure we all would . You can post them in the photos sections or give a link .

myrsky will love running with you . i do feel sorry for some of the mals here , as they are only walk on leads and they look like they are raring to go .

Myra , has explained the reasons for not taking away a feeding bowl from a pup very well so I dont need to go into that .

Gnasher