CHAAMP
Chesapeake Area Alaskan Malamute Protection
is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Bringing your malamute home
Decompress
Create a spa-like environment to help your pup process the new smells, people, and excitement. Your dog dictates how much time they need.
Reduce stress and reinforce calm
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Create a spa-like environment (quiet, peaceful, naps).
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Minimize environmental stimulation to help reduce anxiety
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use a sheet over a baby gate to reduce visual stimulation
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use a box fan to keep them cool and circulate the smells of their new environment
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Provide sniffing, chewing and licking outlets, which are self soothing
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Provide a routine (in time you can change things)
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Reinforce good behavior, especially calm relaxing behaviors by delivering a treat between their paws or by softly saying "good dog"
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Acknowledge and Reward Good Behavior
We do not want to start training immediately. However, we do want to acknowledge and reward any good behavior freely offered in order to start building trust and confidence. By paying attention and reinforcing good behaviors, your pup will most likely repeat the good behavior. This is a great way to help your dog understand what is working in their new environment.
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Kathy Sdao, MA, ACAAB author of "Plenty in Life is Free" developed SMART X 50. It stands for See Mark And Reward Training X 50. The object is to have easily accessible 50 high value pea-size treats and throughout the day watch your dog perform any good behavior. When you See any good behavior, verbally Mark it with a "Yes" or "Good Dog" And Reward by delivering a treat. This communicates to your dog what is acceptable and let them know they are being good.
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Never take for granted good behavior! It is human nature to say "No!" and pay attention when they are being naughty. But if we reinforce good behavior and meet their emotional, mental, and physical needs; the unwanted behavior will begin to diminish.
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Examples of practicing SMART X 50.
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Reinforce calm behavior, your dog learns that being calm is rewarding and will begin to offer this behavior.
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Reinforce eye contact, when your pup looks at you, Mark and Reward this. Good things happen when you freely look at me.
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If your dog gets excited and wants to jump, focus on rewarding four paws on the floor by delivering the treat on the ground.
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If your dog looks at you before running to the door or during a walk, reward that. Baby steps as we build our relationship.
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Even dogs that are potty trained need help learning in a new environment.
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If after a walk, you go inside and walk away, and your dog urinates it could be from anxiety of being left alone. Imagine being so scared that you urinate. This is why we want to help your dog know he/she is safe and secure in their new home. Emily Larkham, Dog Training by Kikopup on YouTube has wonderful videos on how to reduce and prevent separation anxiety.
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Separation Training for Puppies and Adult Dogs by Dog Training by Kikopup
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The Calm Settle by Dog Training by Kikopup
Capturing Calmness - how to train calmness in dogs by Dog Training by Kikopup
Crate Training
In addition, you can use an exercise pen or closed off area with a tall baby gate to help make their world smaller while they process the new environment.
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Easy Games to Play to Help Your Dog Love Crates by Pawsitive Futures
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Teach Go in Your Crate by Dog Training by Kikopup
​https://youtu.be/P8yc5Y9HGY4
Crate Training- Part 1- Dog Training by Dog Training by Kikopup
​https://youtu.be/dUzF0g0PwY4
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​Train your puppy to be calm in a pen by Dog Training by Kikopup
The EASIEST way to train your puppy to go to his bed - by Dog Training by Kikopup
​https://youtu.be/U2c5EkytNU0​
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Training tips illustrated by Lili Chen
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Print out Decompress for Success by Dog Latin Training & Behavior Consulting & Illustrated by Lili Chen tip sheet
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Print out dog body language illustrated by Lili Chen
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Print out dog behavior handouts illustrated by Lili Chen, Doggie Drawings
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Decompression
Give your new family member time to decompress. How long? Well, that totally depends on your dog. Each dog is a unique individual. Some may take up to a year before they are comfortable going into other areas of your home without going over their threshold. Dogs, especially Malamutes, worry about what is going to happen next? Routine is so important at the beginning, and it helps reduce stress. If your dog is panting, pacing, lip licking, and afraid to leave their safe place please contact Mimi.Tello@chaamp.org so we can provide guidance. In some cases, we may need to try supplements to help your dog or visit the vet for medication to help your dog with the transition.
​What is Positive Reinforcement Training? By Miki Saito and Lili Chen
Your choice affects your dog's choice. By Miki Saito and Lili Chen
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Your rescue's life is literally in your hands
​We implore you to please DO NOT do the following below. Your dog's life is literally in your hands. It is so much easier to go slow, then have to work twice as hard after a trauma from a dog bite or dog fight. Please WAIT until you have had time to build a relationship and understand your dog's likes and dislikes.
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Please DO NOT solicit the dog's affection
They are processing the new environment, humans, smells, noises, and learning a new routine. This is a lot to process! Let them sniff you and resist the urge to pet them. Instead, wait for your pup to come and solicit affection from you. Try a consent test. If they place their head or body into you, you may calmly pet their side and count 1, 2, 3 and stop. This gives them time to process their feelings without losing their mind. We want to encourage and nurture CALMNESS. In time, they will learn how wonderful you are.
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Calm and relaxed? or shut down? By Lili Chen
DO NOT lean over them, pat their head, stare, or take their photo (staring is intimidating in doggie language and some dogs do not like a scary camera pointed at them). Even confident dogs find a camera or cell phone staring at them uncomfortable. Instead, position yourself sideways and calmly pet them under their chin or side, count 1, 2, 3, and stop. Let them have the option to walk away or ask for more pets. Keep it short and sweet, especially at the beginning.
AVOID Belly Rubs
An exposed belly is not always an invitation to rub it. Your dog may be telling you, "I mean you no harm." Why? Because they don't know you (yet) and are unsure or afraid in the new environment. Understanding dog body language is critical. It is best to be safe than sorry. Belly rubs at the beginning are not recommended. Wait until your dog has settled and you have had a chance to learn their body language. We want to see loose body movement, ears and muzzle relaxed. Give your dog space if you see a STIFF body, tail tucked or waving side to side, lip licking, yawning, ears down or up, frown, or hesitant movement.
Corrections
Please do not grab your Malamute by their neck. Keep a leash on them in case of an emergency you can grab the leash instead of their collar. Most Malamutes are sensitive around their neck.
If you "correct" a dog for communicating with a growl (which is a warning), you inadvertently punish their growl. Or if you ignore their growl, depending on the dog, they will feel they have no choice but to escalate with an air snap or a bite. Have you ever repeated yourself so many times or given warnings only to be ignored, then suddenly you explode or do or say something in the heat of the moment that you regret later?
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Please DO NOT take your dog to the pet store
Too many smells, strangers, etc. can be scary or cause overarousal, which can lead to jumping on people, lunging, air snapping, etc. Get to know your dog first and understand their limits. You are still a stranger and taking your dog to a new potentially scary or overwhelming place can set your dog up for failure. We do not want your dog to do zoomies or lung and growl because they are overwhelmed and unsure is they are safe. Avoid putting them in a situation for them to practice unwanted behavior or worse a bite! ​
Socializing your dog By Sara Reusche and Lili Chen
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Please DO NOT invite friends and family to meet your dog
Wait until your dog has had time to feel "safe" in their new environment and learns they can trust you. Some dogs may behave differently in a home and possibly guard their space from strangers. Always proceed with caution, go slow and have a plan. For example, it is best to meet new people, dogs, etc. outside first.
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https://drsophiayin.com/app/uploads/2017/08/How-to-Greet-a-Dog-Poster.pdf
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Please DO NOT take them on a long walk
We highly recommend limiting walks to the backyard or short distances from your home for the first couple of days and possibly longer depending on your dog. If your dog gets too excited that he/she starts to jump and bitey, or do zoomies, then shorten the walk. It is possible that your dog is overstimulated, frustrated, or afraid of the new environment. You can create an Easter Egg Hunt with treats to exercise their brain. See enrichment.
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If your dog stops walking, stop with them and let your dog decide if they want to go back home. You can take a step behind them which offers your dog a choice to move forward or turn around. Your dog will thank you for this! Consider walking with another family member to protect your dog from off-leash dogs and if people approach you, your family member can say, "We are training and need space please."
Avoid critters! Malamutes were born with a natural desire to chase critters AND pull! Redirect your dog with a super delicious treat to prevent your dog from dragging you. Practice loose leash walking inside your home, then the backyard, then slowly expand the space.
Polite Leash Walking By Irith Bloom and Lili Chen
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Please DO NOT give full access to the house
It is best to let your dog spend his/her first day(s) in his/her safe place (blocked-off area where their crate or bed is located) and then outside to go potty. This helps your dog understand where to go potty. As your dog decompresses, you may slowly allow access to one room at a time. We highly recommend keeping your dog leashed while they are learning their new environment (inside your home). Too much freedom will cause your dog to become overstimulated. He/she may begin to do zoomies, chew on furniture, jump, and nip, etc.
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Ain't misbehavin'! By Lili Chen and Elisabeth Weiss
Please DO NOT grab your dog's collar
Dogs, especially Malamutes, do NOT like being pulled by their collar. They may react by turning their head and air snap, growl, and/or possibly bite depending on the circumstances. We recommend keeping a leash on your dog and keep treats close by in case of an emergency. Prevention and management are best! If you do not want your dog on the sofa or in a certain room then we must remove the opportunity for your dog to make a bad choice. How? Block off the room with a gate or close the door. Then teach your dog where to go by leaving treats on their doggy bed to reinforce him/her for going onto the doggy bed where you want them to be.
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Please DO NOT take things away from your dog
It is critical that your dog associates you as a "giver" and not a "taker" to prevent resource guarding. Put things away that you don't want your dog destroying until you know your dog. Avoid placing your Malamute into a conflict situation, which may occur if you "trade" with them. Trade can be fun for some dogs and for some it can increase resource guarding. You can play Chirag Patel's "Drop" game and walk away from the object instead of taking away the object.
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Resource Guarding in Dogs: A Fear Free Approach: https://youtu.be/LnSUerpBt1U
Teaching Your Dog to Drop Food, Toys and other object from their mouth by Chirag Patel
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If you use "trade" ALWAYS trade up with higher value food. Keep treats nearby to drop on the floor to redirect your dog by leaving a Hansel & Gretal cookie trail. You can also make yourself exciting and drop treats away from the item your dog is about to get him/herself into trouble. Many Malamutes are food motivated and can quickly become possessive about the item they are chewing, "My precious!"
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A Dog's Emotional Cup By Sarah Owings and Lili Chen
How to Deliver a Treat to Your Dog By Sara Owings and Lili Chen