Generally they mature into a dignified and mellow adult dog. They are very friendly and therefore are not suitable as a guard dogs. Without attention, these dogs may become destructive nuisances. Malamutes love outdoor activities and even do well in obedience with firm encouragement. Although it can be difficult to train Malamutes for formal obedience, it is not particularly hard to train them to be well-mannered because they love to please.
Males can be very dominant.
Some dogs may be difficult to housebreak. This breed is a thrifty feeder and needs less food than you might expect. However they do tend to wolf down whatever is offered, which can lead to obesity and bloat. This breed should be supervised around unfamiliar small animals, as they have a strong pry instinct. This does not mean they are not good with small animals.