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Crate Training and Malteses
Crate training your Yorkshire terrier is neither
punishment nor cruel. The crates provide the Maltese with a safe place to
retreat to and curl up, adjust to new surroundings, sleep, a place to escape
confusion, and give the dog a sense of security when left home alone. For
a Maltese owner, confining their puppy to a crate is a great housetraining aid
that gives them peace of mind when sleeping or away. The owner knows their puppy
cannot destroy or chew anything such as the furniture, form destructive habits,
hurt itself, or end up in a dangerous situation, which could injure the Maltese
puppy. It also helps to speed up housebreaking the puppy. You should never use a
crate for punishment or as a replacement for human companionship but as a place
for your Yorkshire terrier to feel safe and secure.
A wire dog crate provides your Maltese with maximum security, ventilation, and
portability. Many fold down or collapse so they are easy to store and their
openness makes them easy to clean. Purchase a crate that is large enough for
your Maltese puppy to turn around, stand up, lie down and stretch out when fully
grown or approximately one and a half times the size of an adult Yorkshire
terrier. If the crate is too large, your puppy may pick one corner to use as a
toilet area and sleep in the other corner. There are crate partitions available
that you move as the puppy grows. Put some washable, soft bedding in the bottom
of the crate to make it comfortable and warm. Never punish your puppy if it
eliminates in its crate as accidents do happen occasionally. Remember that young
puppies have very small bladder capacities. Never put your puppy in the crate
with a dog collar on, as there is always a possibility of it catching on the
cage and choking or trapping your pet.
Your Maltese puppy should rest or sleep in its crate from the start and will
naturally begin to seek safety and security there when he wants to be alone or
is sleepy. Put the crate in an area such as the kitchen, family room, or
bedroom, where the puppy is not completely isolated from the family. When
introducing the puppy to its new crate or 'home', take it slowly and never force
your Maltese into it, as this could frighten the dog. Instead, try either
tossing a treat or toy into the crate to get the puppy used to going inside or
try coaxing it with bits of food. The puppy may be hesitant at first but keep
encouraging him and be sure to make a fuss and praise him when he does go into
the crate. It will not be long before your Maltese puppy is comfortable walking
in and out. Next, start putting your Maltese puppy into the crate for a very
short length of time and leave the room. Slowly increase the length of time but
be sure to give him a few safe toys to play with and water. Keep your puppy
crated all night and do not feed or give them water late in the evening. Some
people move the crate to their bedroom at night, so the puppy is not lonely and
they hear him if he needs to go out. If your puppy starts getting restless or
whimpering during the night, take him outside to go potty.
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