Alaskan Malamutes are an incredibly smart working breed. They were born to pull, hunt, and spend time with their family. It is not a surprise when they seek opportunities to chase critters, forage for food (and find it in the strangest places!), or want to stay close to their human. They need a job and/or become bored, which leads to them to finding their own fun --- like chewing wooden chairs, the sofa, pillows, or the wall. Each dog is a unique individual, so it is important to understand what your Malamute likes. 

 

Chewing is a great stress reliever. This is why we highly recommend providing natural chews an alternative behavior instead of chewing furniture, wood stairs, or shoes. True story! 

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Sniffing is to dogs what reading a book or social media is for us. Please let your dog sniff on walks. You are just there to hold the leash while they enjoy all the scents left behind from critters and dogs. How to Use Your Dog’s Sense of Smell to Train an Anxious Dog (science explained) by Dog Liaison

 

Games like "find it" or "get it" are a great way to engage with your pup as you throw a piece of meat or cheese for them to chase and find it, so much fun! Woo!!

 

Make meals entertaining.

• It is as easy as tossing kibble/treats in a clean area of your backyard or dog area for them search, find, and eat. Let them watch you at first, then think Easter Egg Hunt for treats. It's a great way to use as a snack to encourage your pup to sniff and get them relaxed. This helps them go potty too. 

• Put kibble and/or treats inside an empty toilet paper roll and watch them have fun destroying the cardboard paper to get to the kibble.

• Place kibble/treats in a towel and roll it. You can use an old t-shirt too.

• Put their kibble with fun treats in a Kong Wobbler and watch them have fun hitting it around. Note of caution, a Kong Wobbler can be noisy as they smack it around. It might scare fearful or dogs with sensitive ears.

• Put a piece of meat at the bottom of a Kong and then kibble with small pieces of cheese, then seal the top with a bit of peanut butter or cheese. Watch the pup have so much fun trying to get to the meat at the bottom.

• Create layers inside a West Paw Toppl (this is easier for most dogs). For example: (1) plug the hole with a piece of bread or a treat (2) thin layer of kibble at the bottom, (3) a layer of bone jelly, (4) more kibble and (5) the top layer with pumpkin mixed with chicken and broccoli.

• You can use the small size West Paw Toppl for snacks. 

• You can smear baby food or using the recipe below onto a frisbee and freeze. This way, a dog can lick the yummy treat. 

 

You can increase the difficulty by freezing the Kong or West Paw Toppl. We found that West Paw Toppl is the best choice for most dogs. It is easier to lick when frozen. Kongs are great too, but are more difficult. Some dogs get frustrated trying to reach the stuff on the inside, or just need your help learning how to move the Kong around and watch the kibble or bite size treats fall out.

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RECIPE:

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• You can purchase a rotisserie chicken for about $5 from Costco.

• Remove the meat from the bones

• Boil the bones and then simmer on low for 2-3 hours until the bones fall off of the meat. This creates the chicken jelly.

• Remove the broth from the bones with a colander.

• Add cut up broccoli to the broth and cook for 2-3 minutes. You can also use kale or spinach, but do not cook, just let the residual heat cook it slightly. The veggie greens stink! But the dogs love it. 

• IF you wish, you can sift through the bones and meat left behind and add it to the broth.

• Refrigerate, then use it as a layer when making snacks or meals. We prefer to freeze these once the dog has eaten it once. They learn quickly how delicious these are.

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Other ideas:

• You can boil lamb or turkey then add green veggies to use for a healthy frozen snack inside a West Paw Toppl.

• Try Sardines in spring water as a snack.

• You can add mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, fresh squash, or a blue berries.

• Try to keep carbohydrates to a minimum in your dogs diet. Why a 50% Carbohydrate Diet Gives Dogs Cancer - Dogs First

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RAW Food Snacks

How to Safely Feed a Dog Bones | Dogs First

Fresh Dog Food Recipes, Quick and Easy - Dogs First

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​Natural Chews

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Beef Ligaments

https://www.petflow.com/product/heartland-premium/heartland-premium-dry-roasted-beef-tendon-dog-treats

 

Bully Sticks 

Bully Sticks also helps reduce tarter from your dog's teeth. You can freeze them too to make them last a little longer.

https://www.bestbullysticks.com/

https://www.petflow.com/product/petflow/petflow-natural-bully-stick-6-dog-chew

 

Buffalo Beef Cheek Rolls

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0786P3X9N/?coliid=I2UYL0DLRTFCEJ&colid=VYDCYL2UFP55&psc=1&ref_=lv_cv_lig_dp_it

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Treat Dispensers & DIY Fun

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WEST PAW has easy to clean puzzles - Toppl and Rumbl is like a Kong but easier

West Paw Dog Toys

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Kong has the Kong Extreme for Malamutes and the Wobbler (treat dispenser)

Dog & Cat Toys | KONG Company

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Canine DIY Enrichment

Canine DIY Enrichment | ASPCA

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DIY Snuffle Mat

How to Make a Snuffle Mat ⋆ Dream a Little Bigger

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Podcasts on Enrichment

Please listen to Doggy Dojo Podcast discussing "Practical Canine Enrichment" with Allie Bender CDBC, CPDT-KA, SBA. Allie offers Pet Parents a **FREE** Enrichment Chart (https://www.petharmonytraining.com/enrichmentchart) to help you get started with your own Enrichment plan!

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‎Doggy Dojo: Practical Canine Enrichment with Allie Bender on Apple Podcasts

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Enrichment - POD TO THE RESCUE

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An Interview with Bindi's Bucket List - DogLogical: Making Sense of Your Dog's Behavior | Podcast on Spotify

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Dog Enrichment 101 by The Dog Training Audio Experience (anchor.fm)

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Podcast #130: Enrichment with Allie Bender & Emily Strong | Hannah Branigan – Wonderpups Training

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Canine Enrichment

• Bindisbucketlist has the BEST ideas on enrichment.

  • Follow @bindisbucketlist on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.

  • Visit their website for LOTS OF IDEAS! 

  • What is Enrichment? | bindisbucketlist

• Renee Rhoades at R+ Dogs (www.RPlusDogs.com) has wonderful information 

  • (7) Renee Rhoades at R+Dogs | Facebook

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Books on Enrichment

• "Canine Enrichment for the Real World: Making It a Part of Your Dog's Daily Life" by ALLIE BENDER and Emily Strong

• “Canine Enrichment” by Shay Kelly