So you just purchased a maltese puppy. Now what?
How can you get your maltese puppy to behave and to not pee or poop on your nice floor.
Keep in mind that training a maltese puppy is a lot like raising a child. It is a lot of work, they keep you up at night, they get into things and make messes, but your new baby (puppy) also gives you a lot of joy and love.
Potty training maltese puppies is not that hard.
1) Purchase a play pen or kennel.
2) Line the kennel or play pen with newspaper or puppy pads.
In the play pen there is room for newspaper on one side and bedding on the other. If you use a kennel it is a little smaller and your puppy may have a few accidents at first. Generally dogs do not potty where they sleep but when they are very young they just can't hold it for long.
NOTE: The play pen is also great for when you are unable to give your puppy undivided attention. You can place your puppy in the play pen and it is a safe place for them to play and not get hurt or get into anything.
3) Keep your puppy in the play pen or kennel when not attended or when you are not at home.
4) Within 30 minutes of feeding your puppy make sure there is newspaper or puppy pads accessible for your puppy to go on.
5) If you catch your puppy in the act - place your puppy immediately on the newspaper or pads so they can finish there.
6) Do not hit your puppy. They do not respond to cruelty. Instead reward your puppy with treats whenever they go potty properly on the paper or pads.
7) As soon as your puppy has received its third set of shots you can begin putting them outside to go potty. You can move the newspaper outside to help them get used to going outside.
8) After a while (usually 2-6 months) they will get trained to go outside.
9) The end result will be that you will get a well trained well behaved puppy and a happy owner too!
The first weeks of potty training your new maltese puppy may be a little trying at times but you have to remember this is a commitment to a life long friend and your new puppy is getting used to his or her new family.
You really want to be consistent in your training of your maltese.
Your puppy will be more easily trained if you follow a routine — otherwise you will confuse your puppy, causing your puppy to have more accidents and have a much harder time with potty training.
Putting time into your maltese puppy at the beginning of its life will pay big dividends in good behavior later.