Let’s get right down to brass tacks here, okay? Alaskan Klee Kai are adorable. They are such cute dogs. They are so cute, in fact, that they probably take more of an advantage of their owners than their owners know. And that can lead to one super-annoying, possibly even dangerous, behavioral characteristic that you don’t want to see your dog continue to display: stubbornness.
Like all animals, Alaskan Klee Kai have little wills of their own. When their little will is aligned with your will, it’s okay and everything works great. But when they are opposed to what you want to do, watch out! Tempers can flare quickly.
The reason that Alaskan Klee Kai can be so stubborn is that they are incredibly smart little dogs. They have a high IQ, so they can very easily be trained. Unfortunately if they are not properly trained beginning at an early age, bad habits can creep in and stubbornness can start to root itself in your dog. You really don’t want this: it’s a lot easier to train a puppy than to try to un-train bad habits from an adolescent or adult dog. By the time they’re adults, if they think that they rule the roost, it’s going to mean big trouble for you. Because you, as the owner, actually DO rule the roost, and it’s essential that this is established by undergoing training when they are puppies. Some Klee Kai have even been known to outsmart their owners if left to their own devices!
Alaskan Klee Kai are especially well-suited to agility training and obedience training. They manage tasks well, especially if they are adequately motivated (read: treats!) to do so. They aren’t hyper, but they are high-energy dogs. Around strangers, you might be surprised at how reserved your Klee Kai is. This is because they are bred for companionship, so they are most comfortable around their owners and handlers. New people are approached with a healthy measure of caution.
Stubbornness in Alaskan Klee Kai isn’t absolute: we’re not saying that it is going to happen. There is just a pretty good chance that it may start, and it’s a great indicator that they need to be in obedience school and agility training! Any place offering these classes may also have classes on socializing your Klee Kai, or be able to recommend a nearby facility.
Make sure your Alaskan Klee Kai is getting plenty of exercise, too. It can be easy to think that because they are small dogs, they don’t require a whole lot of exercise, but this isn’t true at all. While they are great “apartment-sized” dogs, they carry in their bloodlines the exercise needs of their ancestors, the Alaskan and Siberian huskies. These dogs are very high-energy, and it’s important that if you are getting a Klee Kai, you are able to accommodate their exercise needs with lots of walks and playtime. Their training will give them a considerable amount of exercise as well, so you won’t have to worry about a ton of walks when they get home. It is important, however, to attend to their exercise needs, as they can otherwise become bored and destructive.Alaskan Klee Kai are completely adorable dogs, and with the right training, they will make excellent companions for you. Their training should start fairly early on; consult with your vet and/or the breeder to determine when you should begin. You don’t want to start too soon — and reputable schools won’t allow you to — but you definitely want to make sure it begins earlier rather than later. As we said before, it’s much easier to train a puppy than try to train bad habits out of an adult dog. Especially if they really like their bad habits.
If you have any questions about this amazing breed, contact us anytime! We look forward to hearing from you!