 | Designate one area outside as a "potty" area. |
 | Take your Maltese out every 2 hours to the "potty" area, whether it has
eaten or not. |
 | The times that a puppy will most likely want to eliminate are after eating
or drinking, after a nap, or after a period of play or vigorous exercise. |
 | Make up a written time log showing feeding and trips to the "potty" area,
this really helps. |
 | Bring the puppy on a leash to the designated area. Initially you want to
teach the puppy what the words "go potty" mean, but don't distract the puppy
from its business by constant "YAPPING"...be quiet...say "go potty" just
before you see it is about to, say "good Potty" (not too loud or distracting)
as it eliminates, and then get really excited and be as loud as you wish,
saying "GOOD POTTY" once the puppy has done the "business"....and give it a
treat . I suggest "moist flavorful treats as opposed to the dry kind. |
 | The two most important words in house training are "WATCH" or "CONFINE".
Never give a puppy full run of the house, start in a small area like a utility
room or a small pen, don't graduate to a larger area until it has PROVEN (no
accidents) itself in that area for a period of time. "Watching" means
....CONSTANTLY being aware of where the puppy is. I prefer most people to put
the puppy on a leash when not in the puppy pen or crate. (Outside dog runs are
a great investment too !!) |
 | Get yourself a suitably sized "Crate" the same day you buy your puppy.
It's not inhumane or cruel (cruel is constantly reprimanding, scolding and
possibly getting physical with the puppy for eliminating inside the house). DO
NOT fill the entire floor area of the crate with newspaper or bedding of any
kind, just put make a 1/4 of the crate a 'Bed", if you wish. Always make sure
the crate is in a well ventilated area out of direct sunlight. Also, if you
live in colder climates, be sure the room temperature stays fairly constant,
not too hot...or too cold. |
 | NEVER BE PHYSICAL WITH A PUPPY FOR ELIMINATING INSIDE... In fact..."never"
be physical with your puppy ...period. Being overly physical with your Maltese
will make it not want to perform in front of you, and will actually cause the
puppy to leave gifts for you out of your sight .You know... "the ones your
dinner guests find behind the furniture" |
 | You can start a very young Maltese puppy on newspaper, but get rid of the
paper as soon as you can and begin formal crate training. Be patient,
consistent, and diligent in taking the puppy outside, regulate what goes into
your puppy's tummy, so you can regulate what comes out. "WATCH" or "CONFINE" ,
gradually extend your pups living area, keep track on your "housebreaking log"
and in a matter of a few short weeks....PRESTO !!! No more Accidents. |