My Maltese Puppy is Extremely Quiet!?

Question

Well i got my puppy 1 week ago from a pet store but this pet store is single owned and i deffinitly know that it came from a good place,

Anyway... she is 3 1/2 months old and she is very timid... she cows down when someone wants to pick her up she was fine about 2 days ago she was getting HEAPS better but she does not do puppy things like run around or get into things like puppies usually do ...

The thing she does most is sleeps! I am getting very worried about her might she be sick or worried? I just want her to be sociable... but she is just not... at the moment she is on my desk with me asleep... i want her to be playing or sniffing arround or just something... lol if any one might know a reason to why she is soooooo quiet could you please let me know how i can help her realise that she is in a good home and she is much loved ... also how long roughly does it take for a puppy to settle in?... thankyou so much in advance... Hugs kymberley xx

Thankyou midd1902 you have set my mind at rest... thankyou for your help...

To Yorkies... well we know the people quite well at this pet store, they take their puppies home at night, yes the might not of socialised with them but i do know that they took care of their puppies! Anyway i think my little girl was tired yesterday, she is fine today she just wants to play... lol , thankyou to everyone for your help!

Answer 1

I think this is pretty typical with this breed of dogs, I've had 6 but currently with one now. He wasnt very social during his first few months after he was able to get around on his own. But the more attention he was given the more playful he's become. These dogs aren't really the bravest, so they usually tend lay lower to the floor once someone comes up to them. Sleeping a lot shouldnt be a problem even at the age that your puppy is since rest is such an important part of their growth. Maltese's arent really the athletic type of dog, although they do tend to have a lot of energy. I'd say the more time you spend trying to get her to play with you, the more she'll respond to being active. Bounce your hand back and forth in front of her, I dont know if this will work with every maltese, but the ones I've had seemed to take notice to this. I think it's because your hand isnt large and intimidating to them.

Answer 2

You must take your pup to the vet.. not just YOU, lol, I mean whoever gets a dog, no matter what age it is or where you got it from. Just for a general checkup or shots and whatnot.. Also, puppies sleep often, but not ALL day, especially 3.5 month puppies. It takes at least a few months for a puppy to settle all the way in, and as long as you just keep playing with her, talking to her, loving her, she should be fine. Puppies are super resilient.. dogs in general are too actually, but especially puppies. My dog didn't bark for the first we had her, but she was only 6 week old so.. Ger her some toys, take her for short walks or romps outside, play around with her a bit, and she should get into it eventually. Some dogs are just quieter than others. If you haven't gotten her to a vet yet, you should definitely do that, as I think it's necessary for all new pet owners to get their pets checked out. Good luck! :o)

Answer 3

How do you know the pup came from a good place???
No reputable breeder would ever send their puppies to a place where they are in crates all the time, and have very little socialization during the most important time of their life for bonding and learning.
People just don't get it ...
Your pet store puppy has never been in a house before. Everything will be new and scary for them. The doorbell, vacuum cleaner, children playing are all new sensations that can be terrifying to an unsocialized puppy. Good breeders will expose their puppies to many situations so that the puppy is used to them by the time that they go to their new home.
By eight to ten weeks, puppy experiences real fear involving normal objects and experiences; puppy needs positive training during this time
At four months of age, puppy experiences another fear stage.

Answer 4

we got a Maltese x shitzu puppy about 3 years ago. To begin with, he was kind of timid, but by the end of the day he was playful.
we rubbed his fur backwards and stuff in a playful way and gave him heaps of treats and because he was too young to pick up a tennis ball, we rolled a squash ball around the room for him to chase, he really seemed to enjoy it. we also took him out on short, slow walks and played with him and things like that after a week or so, he really fitted in well. i think in a few days or so, your puppy will probably be fine. if she doesn't settle down maybe take her to the vets and see what they think. maybe she has some sensitive spots or something and she's sore. the vet might be able to give her something if that's the case. maybe when it comes to picking her up you should try picking her up gently often and giving her a treat and patting her while you hold her, soon she will come to realize that being picked up isn't such a bad thing.
anyway, i hope she settles in soon and you find out what's wrong with her. good luck!!
xx--megan--xx

Answer 5

You need to remember, puppies sleep a lot.
I think you're lucky. The Maltese is a very yappy breed.