Alaskan Malamutes are friendly, intelligent dogs that love people. Because of this, they are not good guard dogs and cannot be trained to attack (although their size and appearance make them an effective visual deterrent). However, they are as strong-willed and determined as they are friendly, and must be obedience trained to be under control at all times. If malmuts set out to chase something, it is often impossible for them to call back until they are ready to come back.