Adult rescue dogs bond readily with their adoptive owners. Mals usually get along well with children, but caution is advised due to their size. They are a dog dominant breed, especially with dogs of the same sex. Challenges over pack order can lead to serious fights. Many Mals will live peaceably with cats.
Malamutes are highly independent and strong willed.
They may know a command but refuse to follow it. This is a part of their breeding, requiring an owner with an understanding of the breed and their history. Malamutes were used as sledding dogs in harsh arctic conditions. Intelligence and problem solving were needed to make decisions about hazards on the trail, even to the point of disobeying orders from their human companions. They have a strong denning instinct which means they like to dig and can make your yard look like the surface of the moon.