Properly caring for your Maltese, a wonderful toy breed known for its beautiful white coat and charming personality, requires attention to various aspects of their well-being. One of the most important aspects of caring for them is giving them the opportunity to relieve themselves regularly. In this article, we will discuss how often a Maltese should be taken outside to pee, taking into account the dog‘s age and special needs at different stages of life. Whether you have a lively Maltese puppy, an active adult dog, or a senior dog, understanding their bathroom needs is essential to keeping them healthy and happy.
Potty training Maltese puppies:
Potty training is an important step in raising a Maltese puppy. Although it may seem difficult at first, patience and consistency are the keys to success. Puppies have small bladders and less bladder control, which means they need to go outside more often than adult dogs.
- Maltese puppies aged 8-12 weeks:
- Puppies in this age group need to go outside to pee every 1-2 hours throughout the day.
- Also be prepared for overnight potty breaks as they may need to go out once or twice a night.
- Watch your puppy closely for signs like sniffing, circling, or whining, which are often signs that they need to go outside.
- Use positive reinforcement and treats to reward your puppy when he successfully goes potty outside.
- Maltese puppies 3-6 months:
- As puppies grow, their bladder is better controlled and they can usually hold it for longer.
- Aim to take potty breaks every 2-3 hours throughout the day.
- Continue to take night breaks, but they may be less frequent.
- Be patient and consistent in training by reinforcing good behavior and using consistent verbal cues for potty time.
- Maltese puppies 6-12 months:
- By the time your Maltese is 6 months old, she should be able to go outside every 3-4 hours during the day.
- Nighttime potty breaks may still be necessary, but they should become less frequent.
- Continue to reinforce good potty habits and gradually increase the time between breaks as your puppy shows better control.
Potty training adult Maltese:
As a Maltese puppy reaches adulthood, his bladder and potty control needs change. Adult Maltese usually have better control and can wait longer between going outside.
- Adult Maltese aged 1-5 years:
- Adult Maltese can usually go outside to urinate every 4-6 hours during the day.
- They no longer need potty breaks at night.
- However, always pay attention to their cues as individual dogs may have different needs.
- Maintain a consistent schedule to prevent accidents and build healthy habits.
- Adult Maltese over 5 years of age:
- Older Maltese dogs may experience age-related changes in bladder control.
- Keep a close eye on your older Maltese and be prepared to take them out more often if necessary, perhaps every 3-4 hours.
- Older dogs may also need more frequent toilet breaks due to health issues such as urinary incontinence or bladder stones.
- Contact your vet if you notice any changes in your senior Maltese’s potty habits, as this could be a sign of an underlying health problem.
Tips for successful potty training:
Regardless of your Maltese’s age, successful potty training requires consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement. Here are some additional tips to help you through the process.
- Set a daily routine: dogs thrive on routine, so take your Maltese outside at the same time every day to create a predictable toilet schedule.
- Use a specially designated place for the pot: Choose a specific spot in your yard or nearby for your Maltese to relieve itself. This helps them understand where it is acceptable to go.
- Reward good behavior: Praise and reward your Maltese with treats and positive reinforcement when they go potty outside. This encourages them to continue the behavior.
- Watch for signs: Pay attention to your Maltese’s body language as they may show signs such as sniffing, circling or restlessness when they need to go outside.
- Be patient: Accidents happen, especially during the puppy phase. Never scold your Maltese for accidents as this can lead to anxiety and potty training failures.
- Carefully clean up accidents: Use an enzyme-based cleaner to remove the smell of indoor accidents. This will deter your Maltese from returning to the same spot.
conclusion:
Understanding how often to take your Maltese outside to pee is important to his well-being at every stage of life. Potty training takes patience and consistency, and it’s important to adapt to your Maltese’s changing needs as he ages. By following the guidelines in this article, you can ensure that your Maltese remains happy and healthy for a lifetime, with well-established potty habits that will satisfy both you and your furry companion.
