Summer’s almost over, and soon your Malamute might decide to wake up from summer hibernation, get off the couch and start doing laps of the yard. When the temperature goes down a few degrees it usually means its time to start exercising that arctic dog.

Biking / Jogging
The obvious – good cardio work for them AND you. When jogging, it is easier to have your Mal attached to a walking belt (see sleddog suppliers)..

Swimming
Go to a calm beach, a lake, water-hole or river. Let your Mal use your swimming pool, or find out if there’s any equine pools around that might let you use their facilities. If you like, attach a 75 foot water-ski rope (costs about $25 from a boat shop) and it will float behind your dog. This way you don’t need to worry about him swimming to Antarctica or Australia for a holiday.
He’s not keen to swim? Find someone with a dog who swims, and get them playing games. Getting in yourself usually helps!

Obedience training
Obedience training exercises the mind, which is almost, if not equally, as important as exercising the body. And they love it, if you do it with kindness and patience. It doesn’t have to be all serious – teach them to roll over, play dead, woo on command.

Pulling a tyre
Put a weightpull harness on your adult Malamute and attach a car tyre. Walk him down the street on lead, or up and down a mountain. Reward him for working for you, and take it gently at first. Remember dogs get tired sore muscles just like we do. This is great for race and weightpull conditioning.

Backpacking
Walk to the supermarket (if there’s one nearby) and get your Mal to carry home the shopping. Or just let him carry some bottles of water when you walk him. Put a tent, food and water in his backpack and go hiking for the weekend.

Get together with friends
There’s nothing that tires a dog out quite like racing around in circles and play fighting with other dogs. And you just have to sit around and watch!