Maltese Barking
How to Stop your Maltese Barking
If you own a Maltese, barking is probably a regular part of your life. Maltese are known for their bright temperaments and playful personalities, but they do tend to bark at the slightest excitement or noise. Maltese are especially protective of their owners, so that’s why they bark at anything. Barking is probably the number one complain dog trainers hear from dog owners. Just remember though, all that Maltese barking really makes this kind of dog a great watch dog, despite its small size.
Before we get into the training part, let’s talk some Maltese history. This breed of dog is believed to have been bred in either Malta or Italy, and it belongs to the Spitz line, which also includes Spaniels and Poodles. We don’t know the exact origin of the Maltese breed, although we do know that many wealthy people have had Maltese. Historically, women kept this breed of dog in the sleeves of their very large dresses and slept with them. The Maltese probably woke easily and raised the alarm for many sleeping wealthy women, which would have been very valuable in times of war and fighting. Perhaps this is why the Maltese barking is such a trademark quality of this breed of dog today, although we probably won’t ever know exactly why they tend to bark so much more than other breeds.
Their rich-looking white coats make this breed of dog look like royalty. Everyone recognizes the Maltese by their long, flowing hair that reaches down to the ground. Often they look like they’re floating because all that hair covers their feet. Maltese dogs are known as a hypoallergenic breed, which means some people who are allergic to most dogs aren’t allergic to the Maltese. Just make sure you always keep your dog’s coat well-groomed, because all that hair can become a matted mess.
Training your Maltese not to bark will take a lot of work, but it can be done. The important thing is to emphasize every time your Maltese barks to sound the alarm. This means you should praise them first for barking to announce a visitor, but then immediately order them to be quiet. If the dog stops barking when you tell him to be quiet, then he gets more praise. Praise your dog even if the barking only stops for a few seconds, but then tell him to be quiet again. You may even want to use treats because most Maltese respond very well to being offered a treat. Just increase the amount of time you require the dog to be quiet before you give him the treat.
Another method to training the Maltese barking right out of your dog is to use a water gun. Order your dog to be quiet if she’s barking, and then squirt her with the water gun. When she stops barking, then you should offer praise and maybe a treat also. After a while, your Maltese will stop barking just at the sight of the squirt gun.