Grooming Table Grooming should always be an enjoyable time for both puppy and master. It is also an excellent way to accustom the pup to being handled. If you do not have a grooming table then get a rubber mat or other non-slip surface for any table at a comfortable height for you. The first time on the table may be frightening for the pup so play with him, admire him and pet him. Don't start grooming him until he has lost his fear. Since a full-grown Malamute standing on an ordinary grooming table is too high for comfortable grooming, also teach him to lie down n the table. Never let him jump off the table except on command and teaching him to step down to another object then to the ground can eliminate possible injuries from jumping onto slippery floors or uneven surfaces. Also teach him to climb or jump up onto the table. A full-grown Malamute is no fun to lift on and off the grooming table.
Posing the Dog
Once your pup enjoys the grooming table it is a good place to practice posing him (also known as stacking). At first, just be satisfied with getting the pup accustomed to having his legs moved and getting him to leave them in that position for a few seconds. Gradually increase the time you require him to stay. This is where being on a table helps as he is less inclined to move around. Always give lots of praise for standing as posed. While he is posed go over him as a judge would: checking teeth, picking up the feet, checking testicles, etc.The Malamute is set up square. Viewed from the front the outside of the front legs should be a perpendicular line from the side of the body to the ground, feet pointing straight ahead. Viewed from the side the foreleg should be perpendicular to the ground. A common mistake is to set the front feet too far forward. Practicing in front of a mirror will help you to see this error immediately.
The rear legs are placed so that the hocks are perpendicular to the ground and the feet point straight ahead. Viewed from the rear the legs are usually placed so that if a line were dropped to the ground from the widest point of the pelvis it would come along the inside of the hocks. Viewed from the side the hocks are perpendicular to the ground and a line extended upward would touch the rear of the pelvis. Understand this is merely a guideline and should be varied according to the individual dog. Set your dog in varying positions in front of a mirror until you find the one best suited to your dog. Don't forget to view from front and side and rear.
To set the front legs, hold the dog's muzzle in your right hand. Reach over the body and grasp the left leg at the elbow to move it into position. At the same time, turn the head slightly to the right. Change hands on the muzzle moving the head slightly to the left and place the right leg as desired by grasping it at the elbow. To set the rear legs, either hold the muzzle in the right hand or hold the leash at the base of the skull. Control of the head is important in order to keep the dog from moving. Reach under the body and grasp the left leg at the stifle joint and lift and place in position. Place the right leg by grasping either the stifle joint or hock joint to move into position. Bring the tail up over the back but do not flatten it down. Th tail should be a waving plume.
Using commands such as stand, stay or show when teaching your pup to pose will be most helpful especially if he will be handled by more than one person. And a well-trained dog will perform for any handler. Since our standard specifically states that a Malamute is "not a one-man dog" he should readily adjust to a new handler and will do so especially if trained to voice commands.
Once you have taught your pup the words stand and stay you can now step out in front of him and entice him with a piece of liver or other treat. This is done to make him look alert. If he moves do not treat him but scold with the word "no", replace the leg he moved, repeat the command "stay" and try again. Reward with praise and the treat when he performs as requested. One obvious rule: Never teach a pup to sit or sit-up for food.
Next try baiting him into a show stance. Gait your dog and as you slow down give the command "Stand" or "stay". At the same time turn to face him with a piece of bait in your hand. Discipline him for not stopping on command or jumping for the bait. And of course reward for proper behaviour. A dog which walks into a show stance is most impressive.
Conformation Classes
Make every effort to attend conformation training classes. They are designed to simulate show conditions and are, therefore, the ideal place to train your dog. The people there understand the necessity of discipline for a dog. They like dogs, know how to approach a strange dog and examine him as in the showing. They can teach you the gaiting patterns used in the show ring and help you to become familiar with some of the judge's hand signals. They can help you discover the best speed at which to gait your dog and the most advantageous way to pose him.And if you are willing to listen and observe you will gain valuable information about all phases of dog shows. What you learn you can teach your dog. If you love it, so will your dog. And that makes a winning combination.
