Malamute behavior

In our forest tours I often sit with a cup of tea in my hand and observe the dogs for hours. Their behavior toward each other is fascinating and I think that people often underestimate the dogs' ability to communicate with each other. We simply must become more sensitive and observant.

One example that follows, it is to get along even in games with many dogs involved. In running games then all run and chase each other but when it comes to biting games, that is when they wrestle and bite each other in a friendly game becomes different behavior. Then there's always only two of the dogs involved. The other dogs backs down and stand and watch and wait for it to run games again. Then they hang with again and all the dogs run and chase each other.

I think it's such a nice gesture, to avoid any confusion or trouble which may arise if more than two dogs would be involved. If they shouldn't have then it can easily occur that two bites at one and the one where underdog feels threatened. Even though our three girls are very good friends and never have any serious fights, they behave as towards one another, all to maintain the good atmosphere. But even when the dogs outside the flock is in the game, they behave the same. No bullying. So nice to see, we humans have much to learn from our beloved malamutes.

Below you can see two photos of such situations.

Lola backs off and wait that the running game should start again.

And here there is one husky that is not in the pack involved. Jada backs off and wait for her turn to wrestle or that they should get up and run.