5 Maltese Puppy Training Tips

Zack Keithy, our author, is a certified veterinarian technician (UC Blue Ash) for over 6 years (contact him here). The articles written here are based on his expertise and experience, combined with a review by our expert vet reviewers including Dr M. Tarantino. Learn more about us here.

You just brought home your adorable Maltese puppy and your heart is bursting with love, but maybe a tad overwhelmed by the ankle-biting land shark and pee-pad puzzles? I’ve been there; it’s normal.

Let’s see how we can give your new pet the right puppy training so you don’t face that.

Bringing Home Your Maltese: First Steps

Maltese are tiny, smart, affectionate bundles with big personalities in small packages. They thrive on interaction, can be vocal or anxious alone, and need gentle handling as a delicate toy breed.

With patience and consistency—not perfection—you’ll turn challenges into a well-behaved, happy companion. Let’s set you up for success from day one.

Tip 1: Potty Training – Patience is Key

This is probably one of the first things on every new puppy owner’s mind. And for good reason!

Potty training a Maltese puppy can feel like a full-time job at first. They have tiny bladders, so they need to go often.

But here’s the thing: they can learn quickly if you’re consistent.

Set a Schedule and Stick to It

The most important part of potty training is a strict schedule. Take your puppy out first thing in the morning, after every nap, after every meal or drink, and right before bed.

And then every hour or two in between. Yes, it’s a lot, but it pays off.

When you take them out, go to the same spot every time. This helps them associate that spot with going to the bathroom.

Reward, Reward, Reward

When your puppy does their business outside, praise them like they just won the lottery. Give them a tiny, tasty treat immediately after they finish.

The timing here is super important. You want them to connect the treat with peeing or pooping outside, not with coming back inside.

If they have an accident inside, don’t scold or punish them. They won’t understand, and it can just make them scared to go in front of you. Just clean it up thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to remove the smell.

Tip 2: Socialization – A World of Good Experiences

Socialization is about helping your Maltese puppy learn that the world isn’t a scary place. It’s super important for puppies, especially in those first few months.

Think of it as building their confidence so they can handle new things without getting anxious or reactive later on. A well-socialized dog is a happier dog, and a happier dog makes for a happier owner.

Introduce Them to New Sights, Sounds, and People

Safely expose your puppy to different people, other vaccinated dogs, various sounds (like vacuums, doorbells, traffic), and different surfaces (grass, pavement, carpet).

Do this gradually and make every experience positive. Give them treats and praise when they’re calm and curious.

Don’t force them into situations they’re clearly uncomfortable with. You want them to feel safe and happy during these experiences, not overwhelmed.

Puppy Classes Are Your Friend

Enrolling in a good puppy socialization class is one of the best things you can do. It provides a safe, controlled environment for your Maltese to interact with other puppies and learn basic manners.

Plus, you get to ask a professional trainer all your questions. It’s a win-win.

Tip 3: Crate Training – Their Own Safe Den

Some people feel bad about crate training, but a crate can actually be a really wonderful thing for your Maltese puppy. It becomes their safe den, a place where they can feel secure.

It’s also an invaluable tool for potty training and preventing destructive chewing when you can’t supervise them directly.

Make the Crate a Happy Place

Never use the crate as punishment. This is super important. You want your puppy to love their crate.

Introduce it slowly. Put soft bedding, a favorite toy, and some treats inside. Let them explore it on their own terms.

Feed them their meals in the crate, or give them a special chew toy only when they’re in there. Start with short periods and gradually increase the time.

Location Matters

Place the crate in a central part of your home, like the living room or your bedroom. Maltese are companion dogs, and they want to be near you.

Being able to see and hear you will make them feel more comfortable in their den.

Tip 4: Leash Training – Walking Together

Maltese puppies need to learn how to walk on a leash, even if they’re small. It makes walks so much more enjoyable for both of you.

And it’s a safety thing too. You don’t want them darting into the street or getting lost.

Start Young, Start Indoors

Don’t wait until they’re older to introduce the collar and leash. Get them used to wearing a lightweight harness and leash inside first.

Let them wear it for short periods, giving them treats and praise. The goal is for them to barely notice it’s there.

Then, start walking them around your house or yard on the leash, making it a fun game with lots of treats for following you.

Loose Leash Walking

When you move to outdoor walks, the goal is loose leash walking. This means the leash isn’t tight and pulling. If they pull, stop walking.

Stand still until the leash slackens, then start walking again. When they walk nicely by your side, even for a few steps, reward them with a treat and praise.

This takes a lot of repetition and patience, especially with a curious puppy, but it’s worth it.

Tip 5: Bite Inhibition & Chewing – Puppy Nipping

Puppy nipping is totally normal. They explore the world with their mouths, and it’s how they played with their littermates. But it really hurts when it’s your skin!

Teaching bite inhibition means they learn to control the force of their bites, and eventually, to not bite humans at all. This is one of the most important lessons a puppy can learn.

Yelp and Disengage

When your Maltese puppy nips too hard, let out a high-pitched yelp, like a puppy would. Then immediately remove your hand or body part and disengage from play for a few seconds.

This teaches them that hard bites end the fun. If they continue to nip, you might need to leave the room for a minute.

Come back and try again. Repeat this every time they bite too hard.

Offer Appropriate Chews

Puppies need to chew, especially when they’re teething. Make sure you have a variety of safe, appropriate chew toys available.

When they go for your hand or a piece of furniture, redirect them to a chew toy. Praise them when they chew on the right thing.

Consistency here is really important. Everyone in the household needs to use the same method.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

It’s easy to make mistakes when you’re training a puppy. We all do!

But recognizing them can help you get back on track.

Inconsistency

This is probably the biggest one. One day you let your Maltese jump on guests, the next day you scold them. This is super confusing for your dog.

Everyone in the household needs to be on the same page. Decide on the rules and stick to them every single time.

Consistency makes training much faster and less frustrating for everyone.

Punishing Accidents

As I mentioned with potty training, punishing your puppy for accidents doesn’t work. It just teaches them to hide their accidents from you or to be afraid of you.

Focus on rewarding the behavior you want to see. If you catch them in the act, quickly pick them up and take them outside.

If not, just clean it up. No big deal.

Not Enough Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement means rewarding good behavior. It’s so much more effective than punishment.

Your Maltese puppy wants to please you, and if they know that doing something gets them a treat, praise, or a game, they’re much more likely to do it again.

Always reward the behaviors you like, even tiny ones.

Final Thoughts: Enjoy the Journey

Bringing a Maltese puppy into your life is a joy, and it’s a journey. There will be good days and challenging days. You’ll feel frustrated sometimes, and that’s okay.

But remember, your puppy is learning. They’re trying to figure out this big, new world and what you want from them.

Patience, consistency, and a whole lot of love are your best tools. Building that strong bond with your Maltese starts now, with these early training steps. You’ve got this!

FAQ

How long does it take to potty train a Maltese puppy?

It really depends on the individual puppy and your consistency. Some puppies pick it up in a few weeks, others might take a few months. Smaller breeds like Maltese can sometimes take a bit longer because of their small bladders, but generally, with a strict schedule and positive reinforcement, you should see good progress within 2-4 months.

My Maltese puppy is very nippy. Is this normal?

Yes, puppy nipping is completely normal behavior for puppies. They explore the world with their mouths and learn bite inhibition through playing with their littermates. It’s crucial to teach them that biting human skin isn’t okay by using methods like yelping and disengaging, and always providing appropriate chew toys.

Are Maltese hard to train?

Maltese dogs are generally intelligent and eager to please their owners, which makes them quite trainable. However, like many small breeds, they can sometimes be prone to “small dog syndrome” if not properly socialized and trained, meaning they might be a bit yappy or pushy. With consistent, positive reinforcement methods, they learn quickly and become wonderful companions.

How much exercise does a Maltese puppy need?

Maltese puppies have bursts of energy but don’t need excessive exercise. Short, supervised play sessions and a couple of brief walks (5-10 minutes each) a few times a day are usually enough. Mental stimulation through training games and toys is also important to keep them happy and tired.

When should I start training my Maltese puppy?

You should start training your Maltese puppy as soon as you bring them home, usually around 8 weeks old. Basic things like potty training, crate training, and gentle handling can begin immediately. Early socialization during the critical puppy period (up to 16 weeks) is also incredibly important for their development.