| Chewing is a common problem in all dogs. Your | | | | him occupied. Each week, alternate his toys so he has |
| Maltese is chewing because he may be bored, lonely | | | | something different to play with. |
| or stressed. If you have a Maltese puppy that chews, | | | | 5. If your Maltese is chewing because he is bored or |
| he could be teething. | | | | lonely, make sure he gets plenty of physical and |
| Here are some training tips on how to stop your | | | | mental exercise. You are more likely to have a |
| Maltese from chewing. | | | | well-behaved, healthy and happy dog. Bring him for a |
| 1. If chewing is a problem for your Maltese, keep him in | | | | long walk, a run or play with him. In addition to |
| a restricted area when not under your supervision. If | | | | obedience and behaviour training, teach your dog new |
| you are not able to keep an eye on your dog, place | | | | tricks. He enjoys learning them if you praise or reward |
| him in a crate and provide him with chew toys. Do not | | | | him with his favourite treats. Exercise can also help to |
| let him roam freely in your house until he's been trained | | | | relieve tension and overcome boredom in your dog, |
| not to chew. | | | | thereby preventing most behaviour problems. |
| 2. Use deterrents such as bitter spray or cayenne | | | | 6. If you take time to puppy proof your home, there is |
| pepper on table legs, wooden furniture and carpet to | | | | less chance of your Maltese finding valuable things to |
| discourage your Maltese from chewing. They are ideal | | | | chew. Keep hazardous items such as electric cords, |
| for items that you cannot keep out of reach from your | | | | chemicals, sharp objects and poisonous house plants |
| dog. You will still need to provide toys for your dog to | | | | out of reach from your dog. Besides training your |
| chew. Do not give an old shoe or furniture. Otherwise, | | | | Maltese to stop chewing, you are also preventing |
| your dog may think that it is ok to chew on similar | | | | potential accidents from happening to him. |
| items. | | | | It takes time, patience and consistency to train your |
| 3. When you catch your Maltese chewing, tell him 'NO' | | | | Maltese from chewing. If you find a method that |
| firmly and give him a chew toy instead. Praise him | | | | works, apply it consistently in your Maltese training. If |
| enthusiastically when he chews on the toy. You must | | | | none of the above methods work, you may want to |
| only correct him when you catch him in the act. | | | | consider using an anti-bark collar. |
| 4. Give your Maltese a variety of chew toys to keep | | | | |