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How to Prep Your Malamute (and Your Sitter) for Your Time Away
Leaving a Malamute behind while you travel isn’t as simple as tossing them a chew toy and waving goodbye. These dogs have a high need for mental stimulation. They’re smart, strong-willed, and emotionally attached, which means if you want things to go smoothly while you’re gone, you’ve got to set your sitter up right.
Pick the Right Sitter
You can’t hire someone who’s only ever walked Pomeranians and expect them to know what to do when caring for your Malamute. While generally intelligent and capable of understanding voice inflection and energy, these dogs can sometimes test boundaries. They may not respond well to overly simplistic commands and can be perceptive of a sitter’s confidence. You need someone who’s got experience with large breeds or, at the very least, won’t be intimidated by their size and energy. If the sitter sounds unsure on the phone, they might not be the best fit.
Walk Them Through Everything—in Person
You can write down every detail you want, but nothing beats showing them exactly how you handle things. Let them walk your dog with you there. Let them feed, leash, and deal with the chaos firsthand. You want them to see what a normal morning or evening looks like, so nothing catches them off guard. Malamutes are routine-driven, and the sitter needs to slip into that routine like they’ve been doing it all along.
Digitize Key Information
Before heading out, take the time to scan or snap clear photos of your dog’s vet records, medication instructions, vaccination dates, and microchip details—then save them in a digital folder your sitter can access quickly if something happens. It’s smart to save these files as PDFs so they’re clean, easy to open on any device, and can’t accidentally be edited. There are also online tools that let you convert, compress, and even tweak PDF files if you need to update something last minute. If you’re the type to keep everything in a drawer or binder, this is worth a look.
Don’t Leave Your House Set Up for Disaster
You know your dog. You know what they’ll eat, chew, tip over, or destroy if left alone for five minutes. Before you leave, take a serious lap around the house and remove anything even remotely tempting. Shoes? Gone. Trash can? Tucked away. Anything that smells like food? Lock it down. Don’t assume your sitter will have time to dog-proof every room. That’s on you.
Don’t Sugarcoat
If your dog barks at people through the window or hates being touched on the tail, say it. If they once shredded a doorframe when left alone too long, bring it up. Your sitter isn’t going to think less of your dog, but they will be blindsided if you paint an unrealistically calm picture. Be straight about what could go wrong. You’re not being negative—you’re being respectful of everyone involved.
Create a Daily Flow, Not Just Bullet Points
Instead of tossing them a generic list, give your sitter a sense of the daily rhythm. When your dog usually eats, when they tend to get antsy, when they expect a walk. This isn’t about micromanaging—it’s about keeping your dog in a pattern that makes them feel safe. A predictable schedule goes a long way with a Malamute, especially when their person isn’t around.
Leave Behind Something That Smells Like You
Your scent is comforting to your dog. Period. A worn hoodie on their bed or a blanket from your couch can help ease their anxiety, even if it sounds silly. That scent tells them you’re not totally gone, and it can seriously reduce pacing, whining, or destructive boredom. Don’t underestimate the little things.
Check In, But Don’t Hover
It’s totally fine to ask for updates or a quick photo here and there. Just don’t overwhelm your sitter with constant messages or start micro-analyzing their texts. Trust goes both ways. You chose them for a reason, so unless something feels truly off, take a deep breath and let them do their job. Your dog will survive the week—and so will you.
If you own a Malamute, you already know they’re not like other dogs. They’re stubborn, wild-hearted, loyal, and weirdly sensitive all at once. Setting up a sitter isn’t about hoping for the best—it’s about creating a game plan that works for your dog, not just any dog. When you prep the right way, your trip becomes less about worrying and more about actually enjoying yourself. And your Malamute? They’ll still be waiting by the door when you get back, like you never left.
Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of Northern Breed dogs by visiting Moonsong Malamute Rescue and exploring ways to adopt, volunteer, or support their mission today!