How to House Train a Maltese Puppy

The Maltese dog offers a stable, loving and intelligent disposition. They crave time with their owners. This small dog is one of the easiest of all toy breeds to house train, according to the Complete Guide to Dog Ownership. The Maltese responds well to praise and a tasty reward when trying to housebreak. Training can begin when the puppy is only 8 weeks old. The Maltese enjoys a regular routine. Once it gets the general idea of housebreaking it will normally return to the same spot in the yard over and over again to eliminate. Persistence, love, praise and a dependable schedule all help to successfully house train a Maltese.

Things You'll Need

  • Collar
  • Leash
  • Crate
  • Dog treats
  • Pet odor neutralizer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take the Maltese outside after every meal and upon waking. A small, 8-week-old puppy will benefit from going outside every hour until bedtime.

    • 2

      Offer ample praise and a tasty treat every time the puppy eliminates outside. Always take the puppy to the same location outside to potty. The Maltese is a creature of habit and will quickly choose one location in the yard to eliminate in.

    • 3

      Place the puppy in a crate during the night. Use a crate that is large enough for the puppy to stand up in and turn around but not overly large; a puppy will often eliminate in one end of a large crate and lie in the other end.

    • 4

      Set the crate in the bedroom so you can hear the puppy if it begins to cry to go outside. Most 8-week-old puppies will need to be taken outside at least one time during the night because they are unable to hold their bladder until they are approximately 12 weeks old, according to Pet Maltese.

    • 5

      Watch the puppy closely during the daylight hours for any indication that it might have to eliminate. A puppy will often sniff excessively at the carpet, circle or even go to the door and whimper. Promptly take the puppy outside if it shows any indication that it might have to go potty.

    • 6

      Scold the Maltese puppy verbally if it has an accident in the house. Never hit the puppy. A Maltese dog wants to please its owner more then anything, so a verbal scolding is an adequate deterrent.

    • 7

      Clean any area where the puppy eliminated, using an odor neutralizer to remove all smell. If the smell remains in the house, the puppy will often go back to the same spot to continue eliminating. Odor neutralizers are available at most pet stores and veterinarian offices.