Small dogs have always been harder to housebreak than larger dogs. For centuries small dogs have been bred to be royal companions to princesses, countesses, duchesses, and many other members of aristocracy and royalty. As a result, these dogs were spoiled beyond normal proportions, and servants were responsible for cleaning up after the dogs regardless of where they did their dirty work. Centuries later, this type of entitlement has been bred into their genes the same way it would be for any human being in the same situation.
Larger dogs, however, had always been bred to work. As a result, training became the cornerstone of their usefulness to their masters. They developed a clear understanding that pleasing their masters with good work and picking up training fast was the key to their room and board with the family.
Maltese pups are very loving, loyal, and jealous dogs. That combination of traits breeds a dog that believes its master is their servant, thus, many Maltese pups are hardheaded when it comes to going potty outside. They are very willing to love on you, they are inclined to pick a favorite person in the house to sleep with and lounge with. Everyone else in the home takes the role of a servant, and the master is their love buddy. Going potty outside is beneath them when someone could just clean up after them while they love on their master.
If you want to train a Maltese pup, you're going to have to play by their rules. In the morning you will have to take them outside and tell them to go potty. They most likely won't want to go into the grass with the morning dew as it will wet their paws and underside, something they hate. That's fine. Watch them throughout the day. Any sign of sniffing the floor or sniffing around hidden areas is a sign that they may have to go potty. Immediately grab them and take them outside. Usually, by the time they start sniffing the ground, the need to go is urgent, so whether they want to or not, they will relieve themselves outside after a few minutes.
Also take them outside every two hours. It seems excessive, but the constant action will drill the idea into the dog's head that they cannot do potty indoors and that it will not be tolerated. The best time to potty train a Maltese puppy is on the weekends when everyone is home, or if you have some vacation days to spare.
Feed your pup at times when you know you will be able to take them outside within 30 minutes or up to an hour. When your dog goes potty in the house, immediate reprimand is due. Bring your dog to the soiled area and scold them firmly. Even if it seems as though it happened a few hours prior, always do this, the dog will be able to smell the mess and understand why they are being scolded. Many owners have the misconception that the dog will have already forgotten about what they did.
If you don't believe in kennel/crate training, seal off an area of the house where you can leave your dog while you are out. This is essential to keeping your home clean and controlling the situation. Do this until you successfully housebreak your dog.
Many maltese owners have said that using no-potty sprays, and alternative methods of training do not work with maltese dogs. Almost all have agreed that frequency of bathroom usage, constant reinforcement, and routine are the only things that work. So, for the first few weeks you will have to work on your dogs schedule in order to successfully potty train. Not all maltese dogs are like this; but if you're an owner of one of the ones that is, hopefully this helps.
© The Mothers Diary July 6, 2015
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