Why is my Maltese so hard to potty train?

Toy breeds have very small bladders — they physically cannot hold it as long as larger dogs. A Maltese puppy at 8 weeks can only hold it for 1–1.5 hours while awake. The schedule must match biology, not convenience.

Should I use pee pads with a Maltese?

Pee pads can be useful in apartments without easy outdoor access, but they can also extend the training timeline. If you use them, place the pad near the door and move it progressively closer to the exit over several weeks.

What is submissive urination and do Maltese do it?

Submissive urination is when a puppy urinates when excited, startled, or greeting someone. It is common in Maltese and is not a training failure — it is a social signal. Greet your puppy calmly and crouch to their level rather than looming over them.

How small should a Maltese crate be?

The crate should be just large enough for your Maltese to stand, turn around, and lie down. A crate that is too large allows them to use one end as a bathroom and the other as a sleeping area.

Maltese Puppy Training & Daily Schedule Guide

Complete guide to raising a Maltese puppy: potty training timeline for toy breeds, daily schedule by age, feeding tips, and breed-specific advice.

Why Toy Breeds Are Harder to Potty Train

The Maltese is an intelligent, affectionate breed with one biological challenge: a very small bladder. A Maltese puppy physically cannot hold it for more than 1–1.5 hours when awake, regardless of how consistent the training is. The schedule must accommodate biology.

Potty Training Timeline

Phase	Age	What to Expect
Establishing routine	8–10 weeks	12 trips/day minimum
Pattern recognition	10–14 weeks	Starting to signal, but misses frequent
Building reliability	3–4 months	8–10 trips/day, improving
Functional	4–6 months	6–8 trips/day, mostly reliable
Solid	6–9 months	5–6 trips/day, occasional accidents

Maltese-Specific Tips

Consider pee pads as a bridge. In apartments without easy outdoor access, a pee pad near the door — moved gradually closer to outside over several weeks — can bridge the gap during early training.

Use a small, properly-sized crate. A crate just large enough to stand and turn around prevents the puppy from using one end as a bathroom.

Watch for submissive urination. Maltese puppies sometimes urinate when excited or startled — this is not a training failure. Greet them calmly and avoid looming over them.

Keep sessions under 5 minutes. Toy breeds have short attention spans. High-frequency short sessions (5–10 per day) outperform long sessions consistently.

Feeding Schedule

Age	Meals/Day	Daily Amount
8–12 weeks	4–5	¼–½ cup
3–6 months	3–4	½–¾ cup
6–12 months	3	½–1 cup
1+ year	2	½–1 cup

Health Notes

Hypoglycemia risk — tiny puppies can experience dangerously low blood sugar if meals are missed. Feed on a strict schedule and keep a small amount of corn syrup or honey on hand for emergencies.

Dental health — Maltese are prone to early tooth decay. Introduce tooth brushing by 10 weeks and schedule professional cleanings annually.