1 year and three month old maltese potty problem?

Question

I have a maltese. she's paper trained (meaning she takes care of her bus. in a crate with news papers). she's been doing well for the past year but lately she's had a couple of incidents pissing and pooping on the floor. i am not with her 24/7 so i cant keep my eye on it. there will be times where she'd do it the right way but sometimes i think she just forgets... i dont know what's going on! please help!

Emily, thanks for that but i have enough time for my dog.. and plus my gf has lots of time with her too so she's never really alone. but there would be times like we'd be going out for a movie and come back and see poop on the floor.

i dont want to lock her up, it seems like a good idea but i just cant lock her. i'm thinking that she might be confused because she does pee and poop outside when i walk her

Answer 1

If you put the newspapers in the crate, do you have the crate door open at all times when the dog is outside of it? When she starts to do her business outside the crate you could lift her and put her inside. I have never heard of paper training inside a crate. She might be a bit confused. Do you take her outside often and praise her mightily when she does her business outside? I have a male Maltese who I think knows exactly what to do, but doesn't always. I've learned that when he wants to go outside, he will just sit about 10 feet in front of me and stare right into my eyes. I'll use the word "outside" and he will get all excited! Whatever you do, I hope you don't lose your temper because they are the sweetest, most loyal little dogs. Maybe you could look up Maltese housebreaking advice on Google or ask your vet about it. Good luck with your dear little Maltese!

Answer 2

Some breeds have more of a problem and just take longer to potty train, some break training if left too long. I have Italian Greyhounds and they are notorious for breaking training. My solution is to take them out for a walk within 15 minutes of waking up, to have frequent breaks and walks during the day and I also have a backup plan. The male can go quite a while without breaking training and he was trained to go on a pad in the bathroom. Although his aim (like most males) is off, if he hits in the bathroom, there is NO PUNISHMENT whatsoever. As it is easy for me to clean and disinfect that area of the house (2 minutes its picked up, wiped up and sanitized). The dog cannot wait for my 15 hour days sometimes, why should he be punished? If he hits the pad, he gets praise (I say nothing if he misses, simply clean up the bathroom). I would determine is the dog breaking training because you are inconsistant? Too much time for a dog to wait? Or is it separation anxiety? You wouldn't expect a 3 yo or yourself to wait for 10-12 hours to go potty, expecting a dog to do so is thoughtless. Try reinforcing good behavior. Everytime the dog goes outside, yeah dog! Lots of love, lots of attention! Trying to punish a dog too long after they have done the dirty deed, is pointless and scarey to them. If you catch them in the act, try "Bad Poop/pee" and when they do it right "Good poop/pee" so they come to associate your pleasure or displeasure with WHAT they are doing, when they are doing it! We have a new puppy and she is working very hard and responding very well to "Good/Bad" and trying very hard to go where and when expected. At the same time, I am not expecting her to go more than an hour without doing one or the other. My older one took 2 years and now is trained and is appropiately trained. He wouldn't think of lifting his leg in the house. Good luck!

Answer 3

I have seen this many times. Your dog has seperation anxiety. You need to try and spend as much time as you possibly can with your dog or you need to get rid of your dog and get a cat. I know you might not want to but you need to find a good home that can spend time with it. Cats are more of the animal that busy people should get because they don't really play with you as dogs do. Speration Anxiety can come as agression (which is the worst part) and chewing on furniter, eating things that are not sutible for dogs. If you can not take care of your dog in a way that satifies it one or more of these problems are bound to occur and it could kill your dog. I hope that you can find someone to at least care for your dog (not own if that's what you want) because it can be potentially dangerous as it progresses. Good-luck and give your dog a pat from Emily!

Answer 4

If she is still poopin' & pee'n on the floor when you are away, she should be locked in the crate while you are away. Sounds like she just needs a bit more positive reinforcement. Remember, do not use the crate as a punishment it should be her safe place. Good Luck and God Bless.

Answer 5

I have a 9 year old male Maltese. Sometimes he "punishes" us for leaving without him....it could be separation anxiety.....You still need to enforce that this is not acceptable behavior from her.

If you notice your malty has increased in drinking water and having accidents, have her glucose checked. My Malty is diabetic. Receives insulin shots 2x per day and is on a scheduled diet.

Hope this helps....remember, Malty's don't know they aren't dogs...they think they are human and don't understand why they can't go too.

Answer 6

I have a 20 month old maltese boy and he is usually so good but in particular if its windy or raining outside he will sneakily go somewhere and do his business and ill find it later.I wouldnt worry about it although it does get on my nerves sometimes.Hope this helps!

Answer 7

If you are always not at home, she could be protesting to you, trying to get your attention. But if she is pooing places near the crate, it could be just a mistake, she couldnt get there in time. It happens with my dog. or there is something near the crate that is frightening her. Timid dogs have this problem.

Answer 8

She is in her terrible teens. She is testing her boundries and limitations and rebeling. Also usually dogs sleep in the crate (den) and do thier business out of it so she may be confused by what she wants to do by instinct, and her need to please you. Try letting her choose papers out of the crate and in, and let her choose what she wants. if it is accceptable to use allow it, but don't switch back and forth. STICK with one. You're the boss. BOL.

Answer 9

Probably a dog that knows who you have to be to have a dog who likes it. That would probably be the best way to do it, or if he doesn't like Maltese breeds.

Answer 10

Put a dipper on her