First timer -Maltese
by Rose & Sassy
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
My Doberman died in May 98 from a twisted stomach. I didn't think little dogs got it,so I decided on something small to fill my heart. I have had black & tan Dobermans all my life, but I wanted something to fill my empty nest syndrome. My children and I found this cute pure white one year old "furlessball" of energy at the humane society. She was neglected very badly. They had to cut her hair in some places to the skin. She was flea bitten, matted, parasite sores, and very shy. We named her Sassy. Oh boy is she ever. She's melted everyones heart with her cute ways. Well I've been reading this wonderful web site for months now and I thought I would share some of my observations. These dogs are a great joy. I wouldn't give up my little one for anything. I feed her Iams Lamb & Rice formula dog food dry. Her skin is in great shape now. I bathe her with oatmeal shampoo. I don't seem to have a tear staining problem, maybe it's because of the food. The only problem I find with her is housebreaking. When I let her out, it has to be on a leash, or she'll run away. She'll stand there staring at me and I'll know she did it in the house somewhere. She doesn't go on me, but she does like my floor by the door. I have never had a problem with any of my other dogs. Other messsages written seems to indicate that this occurs in Maltese dogs. Is this true? She doesn't do anything to indicate that she has to go potty. I watch her as much as possible, but somehow she stills sneaks and poo's and pee's. Does anyone have a fool proof recommendation that might get me over this hurdle?????? Also, how long does it take for their hair to grow long. People think she is (ugh) a poodle!!!!!!
DISCUSSION:
How wonderful of you to rescue this baby. (a big difference from a doberman :) ) Anyway, my Maisy still has poop accidents when I don't watch her but I've read that leash training in the house is effective. Keep her on a lightweight training lead so she can't sneak. I don't know how long it takes for the hair. Sorry.
Tricia, Beau and Maisy
Rose, it is not too late for Sassy to attend some training classes. Both of you can gain lots from it. Check the local phone book in your area usually they offer classes. It is such wonderful thing you did to save her from the shelter. They are wonderful dogs. I have two of them. Have a great day!
Zeyneb
Hi Rose. We have many people on this site that I'm sure will be posting to give you excellent advise on housebreaking. I'm posting more just to lend moral support and to tell you I think it is wonderful that you would open your home & heart to this little girl who needs you. Most likely her problems with going potty in the house and running away when let outside are a result of the neglect she has suffered in the past. Probably no one took the time to teach her these things. But these little babies thrive on love and attention. It may take some patience on your part but I know she'll get the hang of it. There is someone else on this site who adopted a Maltese from an animal shelter and he had problems with the potty training too for awhile, but I think things have gotten better. How about it Malteze, do you have any advice for Rose? Keep us posted. As far as her hair.....I'll bet within a month you will be able to really see a difference. Adopting Sassy was a wonderful thing to do and I am sure you will never regret it. You now own one of the cutest, sweetest, most lovable creatures God put on this earth.
Sandee
Losing a beloved pet and family member is always sad, we had a wonderful 'nanny' Dobie for 13 years and my son could still hear her for months after she was gone. She was still guarding our house. She lived with Maltese all her life and was subserviant to them! Maltese are such snobs, they gave her a hard time but she didn't mind. I suspect that your rescue Maltese was very mistreated in her previous home every time she had to go potty and she learned to hid it. You must use the crate training idea or else leave her in a small room with a lot of newspaper and paper train her from scratch. My dogs never go potty on a leash but in a small enclosed potty area. I would not let her have the run of the house right now. She is just very confused. Being so small the toys can't 'hold it' as long as your Doberman did which you may not be taking into accout. Maltese normally are very clean dogs but can get really confused at being allowed complete freedom before they know what you want. I am so glad that you rescued her and that you are being patient with her. They are so smart that I know when she understands where you want the potties that she will be wonderful about it. Be sure to give her praise when she does it in your sight on paper, or out on the grass in her little pen.
Mary Lou
Since everyone on this website have been so helpful to me, I wanted to share what I have learned both here and also with a wonderful dog trainer I spoke to last week. Tasha is 8 months old now and is still not completely housebroken. We have had her since she was 12 weeks old. She is just now beginning to "get" it but we still need to work with her more. I don't know where you are taking your new baby to go potty but we have a small, fenced patio as part of our backyard which works perfectly. It is just outside our master bedroom. However, lately I was taking Tasha there and leaving her for a couple of minutes outside while I did some other chores in the bedroom. She really hated being there by herself (and started regressing) so once I started waiting for her to do her business, she seems so much happier and quickly does her pee and poo so she can come back in the house to be with me. Tasha would also run away without her leash so I only let her run around in confined spaces. (Hopefully, after we finish our obdience class, this won't be a problem). In the house, I have to constantly watch Tasha and have her with me to make sure she doesn't sneak around somewhere and go pee or poo. I will only let her run around free for a little while if I am 100% certain she has just gone pee or poo in the last few minutes. These dogs love to be around people so chances are that if your little one is not by your side, she is going potty somewhere in the house (or in my case, chasing the cat. The dog trainer suggested that I get one of the doggy backpacks where you can carry the dog with you so you can watch her but still have your hands free to do things around the house. I have had a hard time finding the backpack in the pet stores but probably an infant carrier would do just fine. Hopefully, these ideas will help. Tasha is doing a lot better but we're still working on it. Best of luck!!!
Rosemary and Tasha
Bless you for adopting this wonderful baby! I know that adoptions can sometimes come with problems, but the patience is it's own reward!
Potty training - you need to confine her to a smaller area and not give her full run of the house. Phoebe is a year old, has been trained to go on the wee-wee pads and is absolutely wonderful about it. BUT - I have to keep her restricted to half of the house, even with a pad in the other end of the house she will forget that one and go elsewhere, but with her gate across the dining room she always runs back to her pad. I recently adopted another kitten and Phoebe got so involved playing with him that she has twice pooped on the rug near the table they like to romp under -
The hair - I cut Phoebe's floor length locks off about six weeks ago, it was very short! It wasn't a great job, but parts of it were only half an inch long and now her hair is two + inches long. Brushing stimulates the follicles, but a good bit of it is also genetic. Phoebe's hair grows very fast! I have to trim her feet every month, max - could stand to be done three weeks apart.
Congratulations to you and Sassy - I know she knows that you have saved her life and she will reward you with love and devotion.
Leslie R
Bless you for adopting this little furbaby. You didn't say how old Sassy is. I never crate trained a dog before, but, when I got Tasha at 11 weeks, I decided tocrate train her. It worked out great. She is now 1yr. and does fine on going out to do her business. For a small dog such as the Maltese, the crate needs to be small, they don't like to do their business where they are going to sleep. I would take Tasha out, if she pooed or pee peed I would let her run the house {under supervision} for an hr. or so, then took her out again, if nothing I would put her in the crate for awhile and try again. It's never ending,until they get the idea of what is expected of them, once you get the message acrossed your "HOME FREE" Good luck.
Dottie & Tasha
I think there is info in the archives re crate training. It takes a lot of commitment for a few weeks until they get the idea. Crating or confinement does not give them the opportunity to make a mistake! I remember that I took my puppy out to papers ( or outside as the case may be) every 2 hours. He went out before eating, after eating, after play, before naps,....and with lots of praise he got the idea very fast! Bailey uses bedpads sold in hospital supply stores (150 for $30) and my husband swears he does everything but flush!!! Since he does not yet navigate down the steps I also keep a small pad upstairs - and he knows to use it. I am always surprised to see his urine of it!!! Also, even though he sometimes lifts a leg outdooors, he always squats on the pads. He has nothing vertical to aim at! Good luck..commitment and patience now will pay off later!
Linda R
| Please bear in mind when reading topics pertaining to health issues, that most of these questions were answered by helpful Maltese owners with no formal education in veterinary medicine. When in doubt seek a professionals advise. |
|
1996-1998© Maltese Only Discussion Created by Jay Bianco All rights reserved |
