Despite their cute and cuddly appearance, the average Maltese temperament is a hardy and adaptable. They can make wonderful watchdogs and can be very athletic too. Although they are notorious for their noisy greetings, they are calm and loving pets for familiar family members, and surprisingly easy to train for a toy breed.
Contents
- The typical Maltese temperament
- Training your puppy
- Are they ever aggressive?
- Is this breed a good family pet?
The Typical Maltese Temperament
Despite their small size, the Maltese is extremely brave – in a small, toy dog kind of way. They are very trusting of strangers and respond very positively to affection. The Maltese is a lap dog, plain and simple. They enjoy affection from anyone and everyone.
The Maltese also has good manners. They are gentle and typically do not engage in aggressive activities like some other small dogs. They can also be lively and very playful. Like many other dogs they enjoy a good game of fetch!
These dogs are sturdy and can keep up with dogs twice their size. They enjoy playing with other dogs and are usually unaggressive. Unlike many other small dogs however, this liveliness does mean that they require regular exercise. Without it, the typically well-mannered Maltese can become destructive.
These dogs can still function quite well in apartments, but care should be taken to exercise them at least once a day.
Training Your Maltese
The Maltese are highly trainable, unlike some other toy breeds. They have a natural desire to please their owners and respond very well to treats and affection. Occasionally, a Maltese can have an independent streak but this is usually easy to overcome through praise and food rewards.
Positive reinforcement works best for these dogs. Harsh treatment or physical corrections can send the Maltese into defense mode, which won’t get you anywhere. Because of their small size, the Maltese can feel that their only source of protection is their teeth. When treated harshly, they will use them.
Are Maltese Easy to Train?
The Maltese is one of the easiest toy breeds to train. With praise and treats, these dogs pick up on commands very easily. They are intelligent and have a natural desire to please.
Positive reinforcement can go a long way with this breed. Some owners have even reported training them using praise alone. They want to make you happy.
Occasionally, the Maltese can have a stubborn streak. Usually, this is the result of you being lax on the house rules or not training your Maltese for a few weeks.
However, if you do find that your Maltese suddenly doesn’t want to listen, a little extra praise and treats can help snap him out of it. Once he realizes food is involved, it’s likely he’ll get back into training.
Potty Training Problems
House-training a Maltese is notoriously difficult, however. Their small bladders cause them to use the bathroom a lot, and their small size makes it easy for them to urinate inside without you noticing.
It often takes a very long time to be completely clean indoors, even months. And their small size makes it easy for them to have accidents inside undetected.
Your best option is to crate train your Maltese and keep them put up when you cannot keep a close eye on them. These dogs might need crated for six to eight months before they are 100% house-trained.
Because of the difficulty house-training a Maltese can be, a few breeders even potty train puppies before they allow them to be adopted.
Are Maltese Friendly?
The Maltese are very people-centered and are friendly towards most strangers.
Besides being cautious around small children, the Maltese is friendly with most strangers. They enjoy all attention, whether it is from a family member or stranger.
However, this does not mean that you can skip properly socializing your Maltese puppy. You should regularly take your Maltese out to meet a variety of friendly people.
The more people they meet, the less likely they are to act fearful when they meet someone new.
Puppy classes are highly recommended. These provide an appropriate, safe environment for your dogs to socialize and can also help you learn how to correctly socialize your puppy when out in public.
Even if your Maltese is older, socialization is still important. It is possible for older dogs to become “unsocialized” if they are not continuously introduced to new, friendly people.
Are Maltese Aggressive?
Most Maltese are not aggressive when appropriately socialized and trained. However, all dog breeds have a capacity for aggressiveness, especially if they are not socialized or trained properly.
The Maltese can become aggressive when they feel threatened. It is easy for these tiny dogs to feel intimidated, even if you don’t mean to be.
They usually resort to barking, growling, and biting. These dogs can be very yappy and can be quite noisy when they feel endangered.
The Maltese can be a wonderful alert dog and will let you know when anyone is coming to your door. In some cases, this might be a desirable trait! However, for many families, constant barking can be a problem. Fortunately, this can be trained out to a degree.
It is vital to realize however, that this barking is part of their genetics. You can never completely prevent barking. So, if having a perfectly quiet dog is important to you, this is not the breed you’re looking for.
Compared to other breeds, despite their noisiness, their barking does not commonly turn into aggression when strangers come close. While they might sound incredibly aggressive from a distance, they turn friendly when up close.
Do Maltese Like Other Dogs?
Most Maltese love other dogs. Their playful nature usually comes out when other dogs are around. Despite their small size, they have not difficulty keep up with bigger dogs. However, playmates for your Maltese should be chosen carefully. Their small size makes them prone to injury, and they can be fearful of boisterous, larger dogs.
It is possible for the Maltese to feel threatened or endangered by dogs that are larger than them. It is only natural for them to become scared when a dog four times their size approaches, especially if the dog is hyper.
However, socialization can help with this. Introduce your Maltese to a variety of other dogs regularly. The more dogs you introduce your Maltese to, the less likely they are to be fearful of new dogs when they approach.
Romps in the dog park, and puppy classes, can be wonderful places to accomplish socialization. Keep an eye out that the other dogs attending have good manners and be ready to break up any play that gets too rough.
Be sure that each play session ends on a happy note. The last thing you want is for your Maltese to become fearful of other dogs due to one bad experience.
Natural Instincts
Unlike many other small dogs, the Maltese has been tiny for thousands of years. They were carried around by Roman Matrons and royalty. In many ways, they were the first toy dogs.
Many of their instincts were bred out long ago. They do not have particularly strong prey or guard instincts. However, they can be somewhat yappy and could make good alert dogs if trained correctly.
They will certainly let you know if someone is coming to the front door. But, while this barking might appear aggressive, the Maltese rarely stays on the offensive when the visitor gets inside!
Are Maltese Good Family Pets?
While the Maltese has a friendly and trusting personality, they typically settle best in households with grown ups only, or sensible older children. These little dogs are fragile and can be easily hurt, so if you have very young children it is often wisest to wait a few years before adding a tiny Maltese to your brood. Since they were bred to crave human company as lapdogs, they are happiest in a household where someone is home all day.
Loquat Lorax says
mine isnt >:( i dont agree with
Debbie says
I have a Meltese… I got her when she was 6.5 weeks. She is so adorable. One week after I got her my son and his wife went to have their baby so I had to dog sit there dog which is a pit bull/bull dog mix and he is about 90 pound and comes to my knees, but my Maltese was not afraid of him at all, she tried to get him to play with her it was so funny. But with my son dog here that showed my Maltese how to go in and out the doggie door. She learn to come in first cause she would get scared of the other dogs barking so she would come in the doggie door, about 3 days later I was looking for her and she was outside, she had went out the doggie door. So now I have no problems with her using it inside… I have the doggie door up when we get up and there’s no problem. She wakes me by getting on my pillow in morning so I take her out, I go do my thing then I go let her back in. I love my Meltese she is the perfect size for me. I am able to put her in my doggie caring bag and I can take her with me on my mobility scooter.
Jane says
So aggressive and stubborn. Only responds to tears then back to aggressive behavior.
Joyce says
I have a Maltese puppy who is 10 weeks old when e sit down in the evening he is very aggressive and growls bark and bites he won’t stop when I say No I have several by marks on my arms I m not enjoying him at the moment when he’s good he is adorable.
Shelby says
I just got my 2nd Maltese. My first one passed away in June of this year she was a sweetheart. My 2nd is a male and he’s almost 3 months old. He can get aggressive and he bites hard and growls. I take it as he is trying to play but it’s not enjoyable to be bit hard by him. He is not the cuddling type. He will lick me and show affection but he doesn’t like to be picked up and loved on too much. I love him just the same I just hope he gets out of biting. I don’t mind that he has his own personality, I just didn’t think a Maltese would be aggressive like he is I don’t think he feels threatened I think he just wants to play but he’s too rough.
Zen says
Love your article, very insightful! Thanks Heaps!
Carrie says
Thank you for the article. My maltipoo was rescued from a puppy mill about two months ago. We got her from a rescue group almost one month ago. I live with my children and parents. She has been chewing up their toys, photos and even homework! I caught her jerking the cord to a fan from an outlet. We have been doing our best to keep things put away but she still finds something. She plays all day with my kids and my parents dog- a Yorkie. She is constantly getting exercise. Nevertheless she is destructive. She seems to have a stubborn streak. I have been trying to train her to come to me when I call her using treats but she refuses to budge. She wears a harness with a leash when we train and I pull her to me since she refuses to walk to me. She is very playful with me though and she sleeps with me. Could you suggest anything to stop her chewing? I have bought her chew toys and squeaky toys. She plays with them but they are not enough. The vet says she looks to be 2 years old. She has been spayed.
Madelyn says
Is it possible to have a Maltese in an apartment with no one knowing?
Candy says
My mother has a male Maltese and I’ve been around him many times. He has always barked at me and growled. He bit me and left a bruise and big bite mark through my jeans! She’s had several and they all were irritable dogs. I do not recommend this breed of dog for anyone unless they are trained! I have been around different breeds of dogs, supposedly more vicious, and have always never had a problem.
elie says
That’s crazy!! I got my male maltese as an untrained rescue and he’s always been a sweetie from day one. Sorry you’ve had so much difficulty with your mom’s dogs, it may be that she’s getting them from bad conditions where they were previously abused.
Georgia Hartmann says
I’ve had three wonderful Maltese. Each one with a different personality but all three have been very easy to potty train. I did not crate trained any of them and it only took a couple weeks to train my first one and approximately 3 to 4 weeks my second and third. Our first Maltese was trained to potty outside but the second and third were potty pad trained indoors .
One of the three was more of a barker than the others but manageable. I think he had anxiety which contributed to his barking. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I have loved all three and though they had their own personalities, they’ve all been extremely loving, observant, clever, smart and put a smile on everyone’s face who came in contact with them .
They do require a lot of grooming but to me it’s worth it because they are just beautiful little doggies and deserve to have an owner that’s willing to spend the time.
It breaks my heart when I hear of stories of Maltese going to the wrong home.
The article is absolutely correct when it says they are loving But if you’re in the wrong environment could but if you’re in the wrong environment could be bite. Positive reinforcement and gentle training is the best way for Maltese. My third Maltese is a female and she literally tried to take over the house when she first came home with us. I believe she could have them biter if she had gone to the wrong family. She was extremely pushy with our two-year-old Maltese and showed her teeth once or twice. I clapped my hands loudly and made a very abrupt high-pitched sound and that was the end of that behavior. She has been the most loving affectionate little dog and isn’t aggressive whatsoever but she did always steal our other Maltese’s Toys, I think it’s a girl thing LOL
My first Maltese was trained by positive reinforcement and not with food. It seemed that he understood everything from the beginning. My second and third were trained with positive reinforcement and treats. They would even pose for Photos when they saw the camera because knew treats would follow.
Also please don’t get a Maltese if you plan on leaving it outside or let it wander around outside by itself. Small dogs are easily picked up by hocks and birds of prey.
Sherry Penner says
What did you do to get them pee pad trained? What do you do when they bark continuously? He’s 7.5 months and still peeing everywhere and in the last month barking at anything and anyone. I don’t know what to do
Jaci says
My Maltese boy was the+same. My fault as I did not know how to train him to stop barking or to use an indoor pad. He once jumped into the tub to poop when I was too busy to let him out. Still, I loved him for 16 years. Still smile when I recall how he’d jump on my bed and the stand on my chest lokking into my face, with a little whine or sift bark if I stayed in bed too long.
D says
If this has been with several dogs, then it is the owners fault.
We have had 3 malteses (over 27 years) with a variety of temperaments, but even our most protective Maltese was great with the family, but very protective of my wife especially. He live to be 17 years old.
Doretha Smith says
This was very helpful I learned a lot from you.
Georgia Hartmann says
I think the article posted is absolutely right on. These are sweet dogs by nature.
They just need to be in an environment where people understand the proper way to correct them. Gentle correction and positive reinforcement as what works
Georgia Hartmann says
Oh.. good glad it was helpful.
Something I didn’t even mention in my statement was I love that they never have a doggy smell to their skin or coat. Of course if you don’t take care of their teeth they could get bad breath but they are the sweetest little dogs in and out 😊
Rosalie Genna says
Thank you for all your comments. I adopted my 3yr.old Maltese mix on Feb. 13th. I am having a hard time with his aggressiveness toward other dogs in my community. He is 16.5 lbs. but thinks he is 165 lbs. The other dogs in the community are so friendly and this little guy wants to be in charge. I hired a trainer beginning tomorrow & she will take him to her home for about 5 days. He growled at her the entire time she was in my apartment and sat right next to me.He is perfect with me alone but not good around other dogs. Pretty good with most people. I don’t want to bring him back to the rescue because we already bonded but I am worried about our future. My daughter has 3 Golden’s which she trained and they are perfect.This little guy has not met his cousins yet because I don’t feel he is ready and he growled and snapped at my daughter. I had no idea the Maltese were so selective on making friends. So, please wish me luck with the trainer and my JJ. I want him to be part of my entire family including my daughter and her dogs as well as the dogs in our community.
Georgia says
Hi Rosalie
My second Maltese had a lot of anxiety and would act somewhat aggressive towards other dogs at times however would never never bite.
I think it was because he had anxiety. I probably should have sent him to a trainer but was never comfortable with having him out of our home for any period of time. He never bit anyone or any animal and was the perfect little companion and every other way. Now our sweet little girl is a sweet as can be and has never bitten anyone either. However when she was about a year old, she began to growl at a few of my friends when they would start to pet her. This was very unusual behavior so I took her into our vet, we did bloodwork and it turned out that her thyroid levels were extremely low. After she went on medication everything balanced out and she’s never growled at anyone again. If you haven’t already spoken with your vet and done bloodwork that might be a course to take because dogs with low thyroid Levels levels can become very grumpy. I’ve also heard a too many dogs end up being given away or put up for adoption due to unknown thyroid issues which caused them to be aggressive .
You sound like a very responsible dog owner. Luckily your multi mix ended up in a good home and I think it’s a great idea to send your baby to a trainer that you’re comfortable with and also maybe consider talking with your vet .
Maltese need gentle but firm training. They do not do well with a very aggressive authoritarian type manner.
They are very smart and can be manipulative in a very irresistible way.
My little girl has figured out to get extra treats for going on the potty pad.
It’s really too funny because she used to do both PP and Pooh Pooh at once and then wait for a treat but then she figured out if she walks off the potty pad and goes back she’ll get two treats. Now she thinks if she goes over there and just stands there she can get a treat before going too!
I hate to say she’s trained me LOL actually I’ve given into her because she’s blind now and also in her later senior years so I’m letting her get by with most things that’s makes her happy at this time in life
Best of luck to you and your pup 😊