Housebreaking a Maltese: A Step-by-Step Method That Works for Toy Breeds

This article is part of our complete guide: Maltese Grooming and Companion Care. Read the full guide for coat care, daily routines, and companion advice.

Why Maltese Housebreaking Takes Patience

I'm Donna Connolly. Between the Bullmastiffs, French Bulldogs, Bernedoodles, and the Maltese here on our five acres in Monett, Missouri, I've housebroken a lot of puppies over the years. I'll be honest: the Maltese are often the slowest to finish the job, and it's not because they're stubborn or unintelligent. They are bright, eager to please, and very attached to their people.

The reasons are mostly physical. A Maltese puppy has a tiny bladder and a fast metabolism, so it simply can't hold it as long as a larger dog. Small dogs also pee in small amounts, which makes accidents easy to miss and easy to repeat on the same spot. Then there's the weather: many toy dogs dislike cold, wet grass, and will quietly refuse to go outside. Understanding this helps you stay kind and consistent, which is what works. We raise our dogs with a "pets first" attitude, and that means patience when they're learning.

Step 1: Set Up Your Supplies and Space

• A crate or small playpen sized so your puppy can stand, turn around, and lie down but not much more. Too much room invites using one corner as a bathroom.
• A designated potty spot outdoors, always the same place, so the scent cues your puppy.
• Enzymatic cleaner made for pet accidents. Ordinary cleaners may leave traces your puppy can still smell.
• Small, soft treats that you can give within seconds of success.
• A leash or a safe fenced area, since a tiny white dog is hard to see and vulnerable outdoors. Our Maltese are never left unsupervised outside, because hawks and other wildlife are real on a farm.

Step 2: Build a Predictable Schedule

Dogs learn through routine. Young puppies need a trip outside very frequently, and the general guideline is that they can hold it for roughly an hour per month of age, though for toy breeds I plan for less. Take your puppy out:

• First thing in the morning and last thing at night.
• Right after waking from any nap.
• Within about 15 minutes after eating or drinking.
• After play sessions, since excitement often triggers the need to go.
• At least every one to two hours while awake in the early weeks.

Feed at regular times and pick up the water bowl a couple of hours before bed if your vet agrees. Predictable food in means predictable output. Because Maltese are small, never withhold water to the point that it affects health, and ask your vet if you are unsure.

Step 3: Teach the Potty Spot with Praise

Walk your puppy to the same spot on leash, stand quietly, and be boring. Use one simple cue phrase such as "go potty" while they sniff and circle. The instant they finish, praise warmly and give a treat. The timing is everything: the reward must come right after, outside, not once you're back at the door. Then allow a little supervised play as an extra reward. If nothing happens after a few minutes, go back in, crate or keep your puppy right with you for ten to fifteen minutes, and try again.

Step 4: Supervise, Confine, and Prevent Mistakes

Every accident you prevent is a lesson learned. When your puppy is awake and loose indoors, watch closely. I use a tether to my belt or keep the pup in the same room with me. Signs that a puppy needs to go include sniffing the floor, circling, whining, or suddenly wandering off. Scoop them up and head outside immediately.

When you can't watch, use the crate or pen. Dogs generally avoid soiling where they sleep, which is why crate training supports housebreaking. A crate must never be used as punishment, and puppies shouldn't be left longer than they can physically manage. If you're away during the day, arrange a midday break, since a small puppy can't wait for eight hours. The same gentle handling and calm routine I describe for coat care in our Maltese grooming and companion care guide builds trust and makes training easier.

Step 5: Handle Accidents Calmly

Accidents will happen. If you catch your puppy in the act, interrupt with a calm sound, scoop the pup up, and finish outside. Then praise any success there. Never rub a puppy's nose in a mess or scold afterwards; dogs don't connect the punishment with something that happened minutes ago, and it only teaches them to hide from you. Clean thoroughly with the enzymatic cleaner and note what went wrong. It's usually a schedule problem, not a puppy problem.

Indoor Options: Pads and Litter Areas

Many Maltese owners live in apartments, work long hours, or deal with harsh winters, and some choose an indoor potty option. Puppy pads or a grass patch can be reasonable for a toy breed, as long as you decide on your approach early and stay consistent. Be aware that a dog trained to go on pads indoors may be confused about outdoor surfaces later. If your goal is eventually going outside only, I recommend skipping pads or moving the pad gradually closer to the door and then outside. Either way, it's the routine, not the product, that does the teaching.

Common Problems and Fixes

• Refuses to go in cold or rain: Use a covered area, shelter from wind, and a warm coat if needed. Reward generously.
• Goes right after coming inside: The puppy was probably distracted. Stay out a few minutes longer and keep it calm and boring.
• Marking, especially in males: Consistent supervision, thorough cleaning, and sometimes a belly band during training help. Talk to your vet about whether neutering timing matters for yours.
• Sudden regression: Look at changes in routine, stress, or health first, as described below.
• Hair around the rear: Keep the hair trimmed neatly so urine and stool don't mat and irritate the skin.

Be Realistic About Timelines

Some Maltese seem reliable in a few weeks; many take several months, and a few need up to a year before they're consistently clean. Small bladders mature slowly. Don't compare your puppy to a neighbor's Labrador. You'll also want to coordinate potty routines with other early care such as dental care, vet visits, and grooming sessions so the puppy's day stays predictable. If you're welcoming a puppy from us, my guide to living with the aristocratic Maltese offers more on settling in. Our approach to care, rooted in our family's faith and the lessons of decades on this farm, is in 30 Years on 5 Acres in Monett.

For general puppy training guidance, the American Kennel Club offers helpful articles on crate training and housebreaking.

When to Call Your Vet

If a dog that was doing well suddenly has accidents, or you notice frequent urination, straining, blood in the urine, diarrhea, increased thirst, or signs of pain, call your vet. Medical issues such as urinary tract infections or parasites can look like a training problem (the Merck Veterinary Manual has background on urinary conditions). Toy puppies can also develop low blood sugar, so lethargy, weakness, or tremors need immediate veterinary attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to housebreak a Maltese?

It varies. Many are mostly reliable within a few months, but some take longer. Consistent schedules and supervision shorten the process.

Should I use puppy pads?

They can work for a toy breed, especially in apartments or severe weather, but choose one approach and stay consistent. If you want an outdoor-only dog, avoid relying on pads.

Why does my Maltese have accidents right after going outside?

Usually the puppy was distracted or didn't finish. Stay outside a little longer, keep things quiet, and reward promptly when your puppy goes.

Is crate training necessary?

It isn't mandatory, but a properly sized crate or pen is one of the most helpful tools for preventing accidents. Never use it as punishment or leave a young puppy too long.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not veterinary advice; please consult your veterinarian about your dog's individual needs.