My Dog Training Secrets 

The Maltese is a bright-eyed dog in the toy group who is usually covered head to toe with long, silky white hair. They usually weigh less than seven pounds with dogs between four and six pounds being preferred with their height being seven to eight inches. The hair does not have an undercoat, only a single coat, and doesn’t typically shed their hair, which can be good for allergy sufferers. This breed’s teeth usually meet in a scissor bite. The Maltese when well cared for can live 12 or more years.

This is one of the brightest and most playful of the toy dogs, making it a great companion. They can adapt to life in an apartment, house or to traveling. The Maltese enjoys games as it is very curious and quick moving. If you enjoy going for walks or lying on the couch, your dog will be right with you. If you have a yard, they will certainly like running in it and if they are taken for a walk, but sure they are on a leash to protect them from being stepped on or hurt.

The Maltese is so small and fragile that extra care must be taken to ensure their safety. They can easily be hurt by being stepped on, sat on or even from being dropped from someone’s arms or jumping off of a couch or bed. Because of their fragility Maltese are often not good pets for homes with children as the dog can be overwhelmed by loud voices and quick movements and children do not always understand how to be delicate with an animal. They typically are polite with people, including children, and with other animals especially if socialized properly from an early age.

For socialization this dog must start as a puppy and continue on to guarantee they will not become suspicious or fearful dogs. They need extensive exposure to strange sights and sounds as well as other people for socialization. Maltese do suffer from separation anxiety if left alone too much, so if the owner works all day, this may not be the best dog for that home. When they become anxious they can be destructive with chewing and barking.

As far as training goes, Maltese need consistent non-abrasive training which lays out the pecking order with the owner being in charge, not the dog. By using consistent training methods it allows the dog to know the consequences of their behavior, what is expected of them and makes them feel more secure. They are usually very attentive which makes them great dogs for competitive obedience and agility performance.

Maltese are not well known for the excellent housebreaking ability. Crate training is necessary for proper housebreaking of the puppy. Be sure to take them out regularly and even taking them to the same spot in the yard will help them to train more easily and to know what is expected of them.

This breed is usually healthy, but does need a lot of grooming including frequent brushing. If the dog is not brushed regularly the hair will become matted. Brush the dog before bathing and then use a hair dryer after bathing to make the hair less tangly and straighter. If the dog’s hair cannot be kept groomed, then the hair should be cut short for easier manageability. The best thing for the top of the head is to keep the hair in a topknot. Be sure to clean the teeth, ears and keep toe nails cut to a good length. Tear stain is common in the Maltese, but can be controlled with cleaning.

The Maltese is a dog that is not for everyone, but if the owner is willing to protect this small dog, train it properly and not be gone for long periods of time, they will have a very loyal, fun-loving pet in their home.