How to Train Maltese Puppies Potty Training in 10 Steps

Training a Maltese puppy requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Establish a routine for feeding, playtime, and potty breaks to help your puppy learn what to expect.

Maltese puppies have small bladders and can't hold their urine for long periods, so take them outside frequently. Take your puppy outside to the same spot each time to create a connection between the location and the action.

Create a potty area with puppy pads or a designated spot in your yard to make cleanup easier. Maltese puppies are sensitive to cold temperatures, so choose a spot that's sheltered from the elements.

Puppies typically can't hold their urine for more than 2-3 hours, so take them outside every 2-3 hours, or immediately after meals, naps, and playtime.

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Before you start potty training your Maltese puppy, it's essential to prepare your home and family.

Maltese puppies can't hold their bladder for long periods, so you'll need to take them outside frequently.

Create a schedule to take your puppy outside every hour, or immediately after meals and playtime.

Establish a designated potty area outside, such as a grassy spot or a puppy pad, to make clean-up easier.

This area should be easily accessible and preferably close to your back door.

Maltese puppies are prone to accidents, so be patient and don't scold them if they make mistakes.

Clean up accidents thoroughly with a pet-safe cleaner to remove any remaining scent that might attract your puppy to the same spot again.

Make sure all family members are on the same page and understand the potty training routine to avoid confusing your puppy.

Consistency is key when it comes to potty training a Maltese puppy.

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Potty training is a crucial part of raising a well-behaved Maltese puppy, and it's essential to understand the techniques that work best.

Dogs are naturally clean creatures and will avoid soiling their living spaces, making it easier to train them to use a crate for housetraining.

The crate should be the right size, just large enough for your puppy to lie down, stand up, and turn around, as a crate that's too large can lead to accidents.

Many crates come with partitions that allow you to adjust the size as your puppy grows, ensuring they don't feel it's okay to use one corner for elimination.

If your puppy feels the urge to go, they'll usually let you know by whining and scratching, signaling that they need to get out of their crate.

Letting your puppy lose control in their crate can give them the wrong idea, so it's essential to take them outside immediately when they signal they need to go.

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Accidents are going to happen, especially in the beginning stages of potty training. Expect them and take measures to deter your Maltese from urinating in the same spots again.

Clean up accidents thoroughly by placing newspaper or paper towels over the puddle to absorb the liquid, then use a high-quality stain and odor remover spray to remove the smell and add a nice fragrance to your home.

Don't bring your dog to the accident spot, shove their nose into it, and give them a swat – this isn't positive reinforcement and will only encourage your dog to try and hide when they need to eliminate.

If you didn't manage to stop your dog in time, clean up the area properly to ensure they don't feel drawn to return there for their next pee or poop.

You can use a pet odor eliminator like the Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray, which permanently removes the worst smells and stains, and comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Choosing a location for your dog to potty is crucial for successful potty training. Decide on a spot where you want your dog to potty so that you can start training straight away and establish the habit early.

The spot you choose should be safe and accessible for your dog. Make sure it's on a patch of grass outside, on a turf area, or a designated potty pad somewhere inside your home.

If you choose to train your dog to relieve themselves outside, ensure you have a fenced-in yard. This will prevent accidents and keep your dog safe.

Avoid training your dog on a potty pad inside if you want them to potty outside when they're older. This can confuse them and lead to re-training in the future.

Accidents are going to happen, especially in the beginning stage of potty training. Your Maltese will have accidents in undesirable areas around your home, so it's essential to expect it and take measures to prevent re-soiling.

To prevent re-soiling, clean up accidents thoroughly. If your pup pees on your floor, place newspaper or paper towels over it to absorb the liquid. This will help remove the smell that might encourage your pup to use the same spot again.

Cleaning up accidents properly is crucial. If not cleaned properly, the smell left over will encourage your pup to use the same spot again. Use a high-quality stain and odor remover spray to remove the smell and add a nice fragrance to your home.

You can use the same spray for accidents that happen on your carpets and furniture too. These products are often safe to use on a variety of surfaces.

Here are some key things to remember when cleaning up accidents:

Don't bring your dog to the accident spot, shove their nose into it, and give them a swat. This isn't positive reinforcement and will only encourage your dog to try and hide when they need to eliminate. Instead, clean up the area properly to ensure that they don't feel drawn to return there for their next pee or poop.

Dogs are den animals and will seek out a little canine cave for security, making it relatively easy to train your Maltese puppy to love their crate.

The crate should be the right size, just large enough for the dog to lie down, stand up, and turn around. If it's too large, the dog will feel that it's OK to use one corner for elimination and then happily settle down away from the mess.

A puppy will usually let you know when they feel an urge by whining and scratching, signaling that they have to go and want out of their little den.

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Choosing a repeating word is a crucial part of housebreaking your Maltese. Use a word like "potty" consistently to associate it with the elimination area.

This word should be used right before your dog goes down to urinate or defecate. By using the word at the same spot each time, your dog will learn to associate it with relieving themselves on cue.

If your dog relieves themselves straight away, be sure to reward them with praise or a treat. This positive reinforcement will help them connect the word with the action.

Crates are a valuable tool for training your dog, especially when it comes to housetraining. Dogs are naturally clean animals and prefer not to soil their living spaces.

Using a crate is a great way to encourage good behavior, as it gives your dog a sense of security and helps them learn to hold their bladder and bowels. A crate should be the right size for your dog, just large enough for them to lie down, stand up, and turn around.

If the crate is too large, your dog may feel it's okay to use one corner for elimination and then settle down away from the mess. Many crates come with partitions, which can be adjusted as your puppy grows.

Here are some key things to keep in mind when using a crate for housetraining:

By following these tips, you can help your dog learn to love their crate and make housetraining a breeze.

Puppies have immature digestive systems, so they need to eat in small, frequent meals. Three meals a day is a good rule of thumb.

High-quality puppy food is essential, and you should choose a food that agrees with your puppy. Whatever you choose, make sure it's the right fit for your furry friend.

Examining your puppy's stool is a great way to determine if it's time for a diet change. If your puppy's stools are bulky, loose, and stinky, it may be time to talk to your vet.

Overfeeding can lead to diarrhea, which will only make housetraining more difficult.

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You have to watch your puppy carefully for individual signals and rhythms. Some puppies may be able to hold it longer than others, while some will have to go out every time they play or get excited.

You'll know your dog wants to eliminate when they stop what they're doing, start to sniff around, make circles, whine, become agitated, or wander off. You'll catch these indicators if you're constantly supervising them and will be able to act quickly by walking them to their elimination spot and giving them the cue to eliminate.

Always take your dog to relieve themself during the night, after main meals, after drinking water, after a nap, before and after playtime, and after every 2 hours. This will help you establish a routine and prevent accidents.

Keeping the crate in or near your bedroom lets you hear a whimper or a whine if your pup needs to go out during the night or before your alarm sounds. This is especially helpful when your puppy is still small and you need to be able to respond quickly.

You need to properly manage those twenty-two hours your puppy spends inside so that you can effectively steer him to the right place. This means being vigilant and watching for signs that your puppy needs to go out.

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Some Maltese puppies may have a hard time learning to hold their bladder and bowels, especially if they've been confined for long periods and had to eliminate in their kennels.

They may soil their crates, which can be a challenge to clean and a setback for training. To address this issue, you'll need to go back to square one with crate and house training.

Here are the steps to follow:

Potty training can take a while, with some puppies learning quickly and others taking months. Factors like age, learning history, and consistency can all impact the time it takes to train your Maltese puppy.

Potty training issues can be frustrating, but with the right approach, you can overcome them. Dr. Burch advises that dogs who soil their crates often need to go back to square one with crate and house training.

To start, assess how well your dog can control their bladder and bowels when not in the crate. This will help you determine the best course of action.

Carefully controlling your dog's diet and schedule is crucial for successful potty training. Give frequent trips outside, including after every meal, first thing in the morning, and last thing at night.

If you work, consider hiring a dog walker to help with potty breaks. Clean everything thoroughly to eliminate any lingering odors that might attract your dog to the same spot again.

The time it takes to potty train a puppy can vary significantly, depending on factors like age, learning history, and consistency. Some puppies learn quickly, while others may take months.

Potty training a toy dog can be particularly challenging, but with consistency and patience, you can house train your little dog.

If your dog keeps peeing in the same spot where they had an accident, it's likely because you didn't clean up the mess efficiently. This can leave behind lingering odors that signal to your dog that this is a prime potty spot.

To avoid this, make sure to use pet stain enzymatic cleaners and carefully follow the instructions on using them. This will help break down the uric acid crystals in your dog's urine, eliminating the smell and preventing your dog from returning to the same spot.

Some dog owners may think they've successfully potty trained their dog, only to discover that they're still having accidents in the same spot. This is often due to not sticking to a consistent schedule, even after the dog has learned to go to the bathroom outside.

Here are some tips to help you prevent your dog from returning to the same spot: