We live in the Wigan area of Greater Manchester, and have two malamute pups, one being 6 1/2 months, and the other now 8 months.  Does anyone know of any owners who live in our area, that work their dogs.  We know that they are still young for training, but we are looking for an insight on setting them up, and getting them started. 

We also want to take them to ringcraft, but nobody seems to know of any nearby.  Any ideas?

Why do you think they're too young for training? I start training my pups the day I bring them home at about 8 or 9 weeks of age. They know their basic obedience by the time they're 4 months and we keep working on it as they grow. At about that time they go to kindergarten. Of course we keep things short as their attention spans are short, but work periodically through the day. I think if you wait this long, it makes it so much harder and they develop bad habits. When they're young, their brains are like sponges. I hope everything works out fine for you. You can still teach them now, but I'm just saying that it's easier to start younger. Good luck.

Carrie

Carrie, please be very careful with your advice. The poster is asking about working his Malamutes and NOT about doing obedience.Working Malamutes involves training them to pull a rig. Malamutes are large dogs and you have to begin carefully and gradually introduce weight from about 12 months to 18 months old

To jb...I would suggest that you join the Alaskan Malamute Working Association Club HERE they will be able to give you all the help you need

Melody :)

Melody, every time we ask for some advice you come up trumps!!  We received our application form from the malamute working association today, and we will be joining.  The back packing and everything sounds good fun.

Thank you Carrie, but perhaps I wasn't too clear.  We want to find someone who lives nearby to speak to and advise us on the working side of training.  Obviously with two young pups we had to start training them on day one, or the house would have been chaos.

hi,
i am not too far away from you and train my siberians at gisburn, there are a couple of us go and although most of us have sibes another friend has 2 malamutes.  it is too hot for training at the moment but you would be welcome to come along later in the year, when we start serious training.  if you have any questions feel free to email me. 
i know of ringcraft in little lever, bolton and nr heywood, manchester.  not sure how near they are too you?
kelly