Maltese Obedience training-What age?

At what age should I consider obedience training for my Maltese. I have an 8 mo old female who is adorable. She is so playful and cute but at times is quite defiant. She will never come when called. Actually, she will do anything to get us to chase her and will come only in her own time. I am hoping I will be able to control that. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
Sandy in Michigan

I took Lucy to kindegarten at about 5 mo. She learned sit, stay, hell, down first in her class of puppies. As for come, that worked and continues to work only as a struggle for power. Lucy HATES coming when called and is also an imp. She thinks chasing is much more fun. If you can get your kiddo to come at all, give him a treat and tell him he's a good boy and make a general fuss over the good behavior. Some consistency with this will get him to come when called. Interestingy enough, the couple of times that Lucy has scooted out the door without a leash and I said Lucy come, she came. I think the amount of determination they hear in your voice is a primary factor between "serious" and let's play. Good luck. I loved obedience training as much as Lucy, so you'll learn alot (in our case, I think Lucy learned faster than I did!).
Cathy Brown
Our Maltese, Biscuit was 2 months old when we purchased her. Since I do not work out of the house, it was easy to potty train her. I put gates up in the kitchen so I could "control" where she was and couldn't mark a tiny spot that I was not aware of because they go so often and so little at times, it has no color and only THEY know where it is and believe me, they will find it again and again. So I set the timer for every 20 minutes and took her out into the yard and said "go potty" and they praised he r with a very animated voice when she did--then back in the kitchen. In only two months, she was completely trained, so we took down the gates and she stood by the sliding glass door and looked at us when she had to go. We later installed a puppy door which is just great and then she could come and go as needed. But as soon as it gets dark, I close the screen so the puppy door is blocked and she again lets us know by pawing at the flap on the door and I take her out with the leash.
I trained her to come by saying "treat" and giving her her favorite Liver treats, the only thing that even appeals to her. But I was sure to give her one each time so she knew I was consistent, but trained her to get into her little bed in the kitchen before she got the treat where she will "shake" or "speak", or if out of the bed, will "dance" for this treat. But it is so cute, she will come from the farthest part of the backyard, tear down the sidewalk, skid around corners and jump into her bed for thi s treat. The earlier you train them, the better because they are so smart, they understand everything you say and do everything but talk to you!! We love her dearly and she has both me and my husband wrapped around her little paw without even trying it. We take her wherever we can and when we don't, we feel so guilty and can hardly wait to get home to her. Yes Larry, we are also owned body and soul by the most captivating little creature in the world--OUR MALTESE!
Claire