Housetraining Older Malt
by Tracy B.
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
I would like to hear from those of you who have purchased/adopted an older maltese. In my search for a maltese, I've come across a 2 year old female that's available. This girl, along with the rest of their dogs, has been kept in a wire crate for most of the day. They are all let out about 3 times a day to excercise and run around in the kitchen. I believe she has been allowed to do her business through the grate into the tray in the bottom of the crate, and when all the dogs are loose they do potty in the kitchen. How difficult will it be to house-train this girl? I work part-time and am gone 3 days one week and 2 the next for about 8 hours at a time. We live in a house. Also, there doesn't seem to be a lot of socialization going on - the majority of it seems to be limited to grooming. The owners are older and will sit and watch the dogs play, but I don't think that there's a lot of interaction. There may be some socialization with the couple's grandchildren. This may also be an area to work on. Everything else about this girl is just great! A friend who knows this dog tells me that she's just beautiful and that she has a nice personality. So, would those of you who've gotten an older maltese please respond and give me lots of advice, encouragement and instructions!
DISCUSSION:
Tracy: I just adpoted a one yr old Malt "Ty" He too was kept in a pen inside the house all day and night. The lady worked full time and was a single Mom who did a lot of socializing at night. Therefore, little Ty was left at home alone most of the time. She told me that he would hold his business until she took him outside. I have had him 2 weeks and he is adjusting great. I realize the little girl you want is a one older but I think with a lot of love, guidance and patience she will do fine. These little fur babies are really smart. I have given him full run of the house which had to be an adjustment. I just did not have the heart to crate or pen the little fellow after he had been pened for a whole year. Ty has already learned to use the papers if I am not home when he needs to potty. I must tell you that I have a 3 yr. old Malt too and this may have helped Ty adjudt so well. Good luck and I'm sure you will not regret getting this baby girl.
Belle
When I got my dog from a rescue she was not housebroken, and really had very little experience with people. She was not hard to housetrain though, although the occaisional accidents continue for some time. The main thing to do is watch the dog all the time for the first week, and if she starts to go on the carpet, jump up, , yell, make a big deal, and rush the dog outside. If you don't catch her in the act, do the same thing, as they are very good at knowing when you have turned your head for a second. It's not really hard to make a big deal about it, because chances are you will be mad when the dog goes in your house. Reward the dog for going outside by telling her how good she is and give a treat. My dog took about a week to get the point after going in the house 3 times. She had another accident the next week, and a few at other times, but most of them were because I did not notice the signs that she needed to go out. (my dog will sit and look at the door usually) Just make sure to take the dog out at regular intervals. Once the dog learns that it will be taken out, it will learn to hold it.
Hope this helps a little.
Ann
As you know I adopted Spanky, he was kept outside and was not housebroke. It is natural for the dogs not to dirty were they sleep if given a choice. Spanky was in a crate like what you are discribing. Since we have had Spanky he has not pottied in his crate. Make sure the crate isn't to big, keep in the crate most of the time for the first few days, keep in crate for a couple of hours then take out for potty if she goes she stays out of crate for a while, then put back in crate, if she learns pretty quick the less you have to keep her in crate. Always take the dog to potty before you initiate play, say the same words every time you take her potty, reward like crazy and get all excited after she goes and take her to the same places each time, do not let her wander and play outside until she has learned what potty is. This is what I did, hope it helps.
Gloria
Hi Tracy! I don't have any experience with training an older dog, but I have no doubt that it can be done. They're smart and with the love and attention you will undoubtedly provide, this little girl, should you get her, will respond to you. Of course, you will need lots of patience and time....so if you have the opportunity to get this girl, do it!
Felicia & Cubbie
Tracy, I don't have any experience adopting an older Maltese but I sure hope you will find a place in your heart for her. I would surely think a 2 year old is trainable. This poor little thing sounds like she is in the need of love and attention. And if she is in a crate with wire on the bottom, that has got to be hard on her little feet. It blows my mind why some people want dogs and then don't treat them the way they deserve to be treated. You mentioned something about "the rest of their dogs". How many do they have? I hope they consider finding all of them new homes. Good luck, Tracy. I'm sure you will make the right decision. Keep us posted on what you decide to do.
Sandee
Tracy, both of my maltese girls were adopted as older dogs (Shelby at 2 years and Nikki at 5 years). Shelby was supposedly doggie door trained (we don't have a doggie door). Anyway, she was using the whole house as her own person potty! We wee wee pad trained her, which didn't take more then a couple of weeks. She has the occasional accident but that's usually when she misses the wee pad and potties next to it. Nikki was housebroken to go outside but unfortunately she doesn't bark to go, will just sit and the door so we have to be very aware of what she's doing (she's also completely deaf so asking her if she has to go out doesn't work!!). I am dealing with a situation with the both of them right now having returned from vacation (see my post) which is a potty problem but hopefully short-lived. After all that what I'm trying to say is Yes, it's very possible to housebreak older malts and I think you'll find out they make wonderful companions!
Sandy (Shelby & Nikki)
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