I recommend neutering around 18 -24 months for this particular breed. Perhaps slightly earlier, but certainly not before 14-16 months. I'm really not a neutering fan, but it does have its uses. And yes you should be training to leave him longer than 25 minutes or he may become clingy and get the dreaded SA (separation anxiety). I managed to screw this up, and my Nigredo puppy turned into my shadow, but luckily, he is also fine on his own. Doesn't always happen this way, though. Crate training was terrible, so much yelling and crying.

Ok, yes of course not too early for the castration. Even though I would like Myrsky to stay as he is, its for the security of other dogs, and him too.
mjfromga: You said crate training was terrible.. I was too much aware of letting Myrsky with a closed door in the crate for more than 5 minutes, because I think, that would make him hate this place, and he wont like to go in there again. I give him his Kong but not entire close the door, or not for long.. he goes there from time to time, but mostly when he wants to hide something (like a stolen shoe) I really don't know if he likes his crate, I think actually yes, but the fact to be not in the same room than me or that he can't see what we are doing this is why he doesn't like to be in there.
Could I let him in there with a closed door, even when he cries and scratches the door? for sure I would only open when he's calm...

Hi Gnasher, this caught my interest . . Last year I worked with a behaviourist to help my PON with his increasing aggression towards dogs he didn't know. She mentioned that some dogs would find it hard to read his signals, as he has no tail to speak of, and when he's in coat, the problem is compounded as other dogs couldn't see his eyes, and might mistake the mane around his neck for raising his hackles - ie, they thought he was displaying aggression, and in turn, he'd learned 'attack is the best means of defence'.

She said many of the cold-climate breeds like Mals have this same problem, ie, that other dogs make the mistake of thinking Mals, Akitas, Sptiz etc are raising hackles, when in fact it's just their thick ruffs, and this is why many of these breeds learn to 'act first', because the unless the other dog shows immediate/obvious submission, they anticipate an aggressive attack and want to head it off.

I just wondered whether this might account for why you've seen adult Mal's 'chastising' other dogs?

Oh, He's GORGEOUS!

Re the lead biting - I think most puppies do this, it's play and excitement, not really aggression.

Ignoring your dog is the best tool you have to teach him 'that doesn't work'. It's how mothers teach their puppies, and it works better than anything else, if you are consistent.

If he bites your BF, or the lead, or does anything you don't like, say 'Ach!' Or ''No!', and immediately end all interaction with him: ie, stand straight up, turn your back, fold your arms, IGNORE HIM!

Keep ignoring him, even if he whines, barks, bites your ankles, etc. Don't even Look at him! Stand still, your head up and turned away from him, don't speak or try to push him away, nothing! Turn into a statue!

ONLY when the dog is sitting calmly should you bend down to him again, praise gently (never excitedly because he'll be encouraged to bite again), and carry on with whatever you were doing.

It takes time, sometimes you have to repeat and repeat and repeat . . (There is NO quick fix when it comes to training!) but eventually the message will get through!

Encourage your BF to play more games with Myrsky that won't encourage biting, and will reinforce things you DO want Myrsky to learn. The name-game is great; you and your BF are in different rooms, both with some treats. If Myrsky is with you, tell him, "Find BF!" And your BF calls Myrsky. When the dog arrives, praise him and treat him. Then your BF tells Myrsky to find YOU, you call the dog, and hear him come running! Play as often as you can, and try it outside, too.

It will reinforce his recall, and you can expand the game as he grows, by hiding behind trees or bushes and letting Myrsky sniff you out!

To help with him getting upset when your BF leaves, I had these ideas . .
1. Go out for a walk with your BF and Myrsky, and then your BF goes on to work from there, while you finish the walk and take Myrsky back home.
2. Your BF should NEVER make a fuss or play with Myrsky, or even 'say goodbye', just before he leaves. Tire the dog out with a game, first, wait until the puppy has settled, then leave quietly, saying nothing to to the dog.
3. Give Myrsky his breakfast/dinner just as your BF leaves.
4. Give Myrsky a Kong or cardboard box or envelope, with a treat in (or just wrap a treat in paper like a parcel) just as your BF leaves. Myrsky will make a bit of a mess but that doesn't matter!
5. You play a game with Myrsky, and while that's going on, your BF leaves. Don't stop playing the game just because your BF has gone, but play on for a while longer.

I hope one of those helps!

You're quite right to think carefully about castration. In my opinion, it's not harmful. All of mine apart from one have had the operation, and with the one who didn't, the vet recommended that it not be done for health reasons. In general, I would have it done.

As for same sex aggression-- yes, that can be quite a problem, and castration can help to temper it, especially if it's done when he's young (but not TOO young). It won't fix it completely. Some dogs don't develop it (Laszlo never did; he was calm and mild with all dogs) but many do. Taji will walk nicely with another male Akita on lead, but don't ask him to play off-lead with one. Funnily, it's generally other spitz-type dogs that attract the aggression. He can be just fine with a male Pointer or Rottie or JRT, but not with a Husky. It's something you'll always have to keep in mind. Good socialisation and good training, like you're already doing, is your best bet!

Crate training: people can be very divided on this, but no, it is not cruel, so long as the crate is big enough and comfortable, and so long as the dog isn't locked up like a prisoner. Dogs are den animals, and they like their nice, enclosed spaces. You may find Myrsky digging his own one in the snow! There are some rules to observe about it:

The crate should be in a quiet place, but not shut away from everyone. A place that your dog finds comfortable is best. It'll vary for different dogs, but places like next to the sofa by the wall, or at the foot of your bed, or near the breakfast table in the kitchen-- those are best. Somewhere that smells like home and nice. Try to secure it from draughts. It should be warm and cozy.

The crate is a safe place. When the dog is in it, no one is allowed to touch him or interfere with him in any way, except to call him out when the door is open. No poking, no fingers, no teasing, no treats, though you can certainly leave a filled Kong and water in there. Children especially need to be told: the crate is absolutely off limits. It's a safe haven, not to be invaded, screamed at, or shoved.

The crate should NEVER be used as a time-out or a punishment. Leave the door open all day-- that way they can go in if they want to. At night, if you're crate training at night, use a quiet, gentle phrase, like 'Bedtime!' It should be relaxed and cheerful. That's what the crate is: a relaxed and cheerful place, safe, warm and secure. It's not a place to put your dog in for a time-out-- they should associate it only with comfort and niceness.

If you do it right, you can create a place where your dog can feel safe no matter what. I hardly use mine anymore-- all the dogs sleep in their beds or on the chairs or in the bed with us (yeah, I know; most trainers say not to do that, but hey, it's nice). I do get it out though on bonfire night, 5th November, when all of the UK sets off fireworks in homage to the plot that would have destroyed all government in one giant explosion. Little Dog is terrified of fireworks. She shivers and pants and won't eat, not even the nicest treat-- but we'll get the crate out and set it up, and she goes right in there. We'll put in blankets and throw one over to shut out the noise, and she calms right down. We don't close the door-- she stays there for her own preference. It's safe and secure, and we're right close by.

I hope that helps! Myrsky must take after his Mal mum-- those big brown eyes! Do you know if he's Alaskan or Siberian Husky on his dad's side? He's so big I'm suspecting Alaskan. With working breeds especially, though, you can get great size variation. Just look at Collies! What a handsome boy he is!

Thank you strangechild and PONlady, the Game is a very good idea and I do play in the morning when he is leaving but Myrsky hears the door open and closing (we do have even 2 front doors, this is common in finland) so he stops playing but comes back the last 2 days it wasn't too bad, I think he starts to understand, this is life !
Oh and with the walks we did in the beginning but this was worst unfortunately, he didn't want to walk just spend all his energy to try to get after my BF and was hoping all walking humans were my BF to come back But with the food/Kong will work too.
And for the crate training, we choosed the place right next to our bed, and I only want to use as sleeping/resting place for sure.But it feels like his safety Place is all over the apartment I mean he goes there because he knows he get food in there or a Kong but no other reason, even though I put a nice blanket in (he doesn't care anyway, because of his coat I guess)I will go on with the "training" but otherwise the bedroom is fine too, he can't destroy much..
but again thank you for all the good tips

Oh and strangechilde I didn't know about the relation that spitz types aren't always nice to their own "type" of breed.Interesting.We have 2 finnish lapphund dogs in our house, Myrsky likes playing with them..will se how long -.-
he never met a Husky though we have some around but they didn't want to meet us (maybe for some reason)

Perfectly possible! Hal, Ben's father, was always being set upon, but he was not a fighter, he would just duck and weave and avoid the teeth! Ben though, he is an initiator of aggression ... Mals when they mature into adults became very intolerant of certain breeds in particular, like spaniels and labradors, who are often very busy dashing around following up on scents etc. and not introducing themselves properly to His Lordship!! Ben is fine with any breed of dog who are calm - whippets, greyhounds, he is fine with, but the sporting breeds, like pointers, weimeraners, vizlas, labs, spaniels, he does not like their lack of manners, as he sees it.

Certainly the wolfy breeds like Ben do place a lot of emphasis on eye contact ... and also erect ears. Floppy eared dogs seem to fare worst than those with erect ears. We are gradually building up a picture with Ben and can pretty well interpret when there is going to be trouble.

Lapphunds! Now there's a dog I'd like to meet! Beautiful, magnificent animals!

Yes, they can be difficult with same sex aggression, but as I said every dog is different. Malamutes tend to be pretty laid-back and easygoing, but they won't generally tolerate nonsense. They're not usually the fighting type-- they'll use their size and mass to put another dog in their place, if they're acting up, but will fight only reluctantly. Huskies are quite a bit more excitable. Where Myrsky is on the scale you'll have to discover for yourself! Laszlo, our Mal/GSD mix, was a total peacemaker-- he never fought, not even when he was viciously attacked, but he would interpose his enormous self between other dogs who were fighting, to stop them. Every dog is an individual!

Playing with the Lapphunds is a great thing for him. The more he gets to play and socialise with other dogs and with people, the better he will be equipped to handle his 'teenaged' years, and it's great fun for him. Don't worry too much about it-- keep up as you are and you should be fine. You're already doing everything right!

Hi folks and good morning !
Now spring is coming also to Finland we enjoy the walks with Myrsky, he can walk nicely on a lead now, even with distractions he is listening The biting is way less.He loves going to the dog park and meet other dogs (though we are careful of rough play with big dogs, because he hurt himself a bit during play)
We made a short Video of him playing with a small dog.
Have a good Weekend !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLXtNt9WFB4