Temperment of a Maltese - Page 3 - Maltese Dogs Forum : Spoiled Maltese Forums

**Dogwriter** · 08-19-2010, 05:46 PM

Hmmm. It doesn't sound like you are describing my dog! Yes she is sweeeeeet and loving and playful. But she is very feisty. She backtalks me (by growling) if I tell her no. Sometimes I say no again, and she growls more or barks with her tiny baby yip.

I am hoping she outgrows it.

allheart · 08-19-2010, 06:28 PM

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh the Maltese

Let me first say, that I love every furbaby that exsist. Regardless of breed, oh how I love them all. Big, small, all of them. Most I am allergic too

, but not the Maltese.

But the Maltese breed, oh my goodness, I think they are a secret to the small breed of dogs. Not only are they just simply gorgeous, that beautiful hair, and they don't shed, is that incredible. Oh , but the temperment

Loving, sensitive, hilarious little ones, loyal, forever playful, even into their senior years (I honestly don't think they think they are dogs, and I have to agree

)

When my Kara (RIP) was in the hospital, Johnathan, and I will never forget his name ever, said to us, "My gosh, I only had her for the one night, but I completely fell in love with her, she is so loving

He continued to say, "Usually the smaller breeds are so barky, and feisty, but all she did was wag her tail, and want to love me and for me to love her

They just are precious souls, and I believe very smart little ones at that. I thank the heavens, for the reputable true breeders that keep this loving breed going

and all the rescues that provide these precious ones a safe place to call home

Would I ever be a furbaby Mommy to a different breed, oh I wouldn't rule it at, one may need a home someday, and just may be perfect timing, but I always will have a Maltese and I and hubby always consider it a blessing.

**They Call Me Mamma** · 08-21-2010, 06:22 PM

Tanya,
I was going to post about the temperment of my Lexi who sounds more like your Piper. Lexi is sweet, loving, loyal, playfull etc. and she is my heart however she is also a "Dennis the menace"...always into something...she has a little "attitude" at times and can be right down naughty. I was wondering if anyone else had a "problem child" like mine? She also does the neatest things,but growls at me if I don't rub her tummy in just the right spot, if I sit too long at a desk or table she will grab the end of my jeans with her teeth and try to pull me out of the chair! Like I tell my brother, it's like she TALKS and the scary thing is I know what she's sayin...anyone else out there with similar stories? What can I do to break Lexi of always getting into things? She knows better but does it anyway.

**jodublin** · 08-22-2010, 05:19 AM

my husband calls my maltese my flock ,they may look like little lambs but they have a heart of a lion ,some times they behave like naughty 2 year old human babys ,i treat them like i did my kids ,,i know they are spoiled but they are worth it .

allheart · 08-22-2010, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by They Call Me Mamma

Tanya,
I was going to post about the temperment of my Lexi who sounds more like your Piper. Lexi is sweet, loving, loyal, playfull etc. and she is my heart however she is also a "Dennis the menace"...always into something...she has a little "attitude" at times and can be right down naughty. I was wondering if anyone else had a "problem child" like mine? She also does the neatest things,but growls at me if I don't rub her tummy in just the right spot, if I sit too long at a desk or table she will grab the end of my jeans with her teeth and try to pull me out of the chair! Like I tell my brother, it's like she TALKS and the scary thing is I know what she's sayin...anyone else out there with similar stories? What can I do to break Lexi of always getting into things? She knows better but does it anyway.

Oh yes, fear not, my Leo talks to me to, as well as Mia, and I know exactly what they are saying. Sounds like your baby is still rather young.

This is my 4th and 5th Maltese. All are individuals. My first, Flakey (RIP), oh my, stories? I have loads of them. But Flakey was a special case.

To me, at least, the Maltese standard, is a loving, playful, trainable, and they adore you breed. But like I said, don't be discouraged at all either one of you, as in any breed, each furbaby is different, and of course some will try you, the Maltese is no different.

Flakey, would forever get into things, I've told this one before, but while we were out, he dumped my hamper over, picked out my panties, put his head through the whole where I would put my leg, and proudly sat in the front window for all to see. We came home to scores of school children, pointing and laughing. Oh I have many more.

My current baby girl Mia, as a pup, was showing posseviness, with her bone, she would not let me take it and would growl. I nipped that in the bud, using positive reinforcement. She no longer does that at all.

Leo, when he was a pup, showed possesiveness of my lap, and would not let Mia on it. He growled at her. I took him off my lap, sat him on the floor, and told him "no", and left Mia on my lap. After about 5 minutes, I let him back up, with Mia, and he has never done that again.

So, yes, the Maltese is an amazing breed, but like any breed, will always need some guidance to be taught what is acceptable and what is not.

They truly want to please you, so they get it fairly quickly. When I took Leo off my lap that time, his little heart was broke

, but he understood.

So like I said, don't get discouraged, the breed in general is the most loving breed, but will always look to us for guidance and redirection.

There are so many things that Leo would LOVE to get into, especially outside, in our yard, but just a "uh uh uh" and he knows, not to go in there.

So, it's just recognizing actions or behaviors that need redirection and always done with positive reinforcement.

If my two see that they will be getting a treat, they go loo loo, but I walk away, come back, and make them sit, and then when they are quiet and sitting, then they get the treat.

One of the wonderful things about the breed is that they do want to please you so much, so it really helps when you are trying to redirect them.

With our Flakey, we didn't know any of these things, and just accepted his personality, as that's just who are precious boy was.

Hope this helps

**They Call Me Mamma** · 08-22-2010, 08:29 AM

Oh thank God I still really am "ok"...your dogs "talk" to you too!!!! I had to LAUGH at Flakeys antics....sounds so cute! I can't leave Lexi or Demi loose in the house when I leave cuz they like to eat electrical cords!!!! Yes my Lexi is just 2 years old so she still is pretty young. My dau. who has 3 older Yorkies keeps telling me Lexi will grow out of this.??? I love her to death, she is my heart but sometimes it DOES get a bit exasperating. She has LOTS of personality thats for sure....and yes your post does help, thanks!!

**They Call Me Mamma** · 08-22-2010, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jodublin

my husband calls my maltese my flock ,they may look like little lambs but they have a heart of a lion ,some times they behave like naughty 2 year old human babys ,i treat them like i did my kids ,,i know they are spoiled but they are worth it .

Oh boy can I relate to the heart of a lion, they are wonderful, loyal little babies who like "all heart" says wants to please us so much.....well except for Lexi at times.....lol. I am glad to hear that some of them DO act like naughty 2 year olds because that very well describes Lexi at times. Lexi is my first Maltese and when you read about them on different sites they sound like little angels...well my little angel has HORNS at times. I also treat mine like I did my kids so they are VERY SPOILED!! Fun to read about your "flock."

allheart · 08-22-2010, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by They Call Me Mamma

Oh thank God I still really am "ok"...your dogs "talk" to you too!!!! I had to LAUGH at Flakeys antics....sounds so cute! I can't leave Lexi or Demi loose in the house when I leave cuz they like to eat electrical cords!!!! Yes my Lexi is just 2 years old so she still is pretty young. My dau. who has 3 older Yorkies keeps telling me Lexi will grow out of this.??? I love her to death, she is my heart but sometimes it DOES get a bit exasperating. She has LOTS of personality thats for sure....and yes your post does help, thanks!!

Awww hugs to you. Oh yes, My Flakey was special that's for sure

And when we leave out, Mia and Leo, have their own bedroom, and don't have run of the house either. Mia is two and Leo is approaching two. It's just safer so you are very wise. Hugs again.

**Katkoota** · 08-26-2010, 08:40 PM

I truly believe that each dog is unique in temperament and personality, regardless of breed. Of course, the breed standard set the temperament, but that doesn't mean that all maltese have the exact same ones.

Looking at my two maltese, I can tell you this:

They are 2 maltese, but oh boy, SO DIFFERENT in temperament/personality. In fact, they are the complete opposite...do you know the saying that says "opposite attracts"? lol i think it is true when I look at my two maltese. they are so bonded to each other.

you have Snowy: the super active, athlete, alert, high driven, fearless maltese. He *does have* prey drive for small creatures and movable objects (he is addicted to fetching and retrieving anything that you throw for him). He is more into doing any active activity rather than sitting on someone's lap. He can make one GREAT performance maltese with this personality of his. He is a huge social-bug. Gets along with dogs very well.

Then you have Crystal, a real lap maltese who doesn't mind being on your lap forever. She is calmer and more laid back. Not high driven as Snowy. Very sweet and cuddly

Seeing her mommy happy is her number1 goal

(where as with Snowy, lets say that he has other priorities - more outgoing) However, I have to admit that the environment where she grew up in (with Snowy) changed her a lot. She still is the more laid back malt, but you see her chasing toys now - Actually, it was all Snowy's fault as she was addicted to him first

and now does and gets involve into whatever she sees him into. Most of the times, she does it just to drive him crazy

she is still the sweetest; she would shower my guinea pigs with kisses. I can't trust Snowy on that though, the looks that he gives are killers.

What do Snowy and Crystal share in common is: they are both so very loving, trusting, loyal, dependent, wanna be with you all the time, affectionate, both LOVE their belly rubs. I sure LOVE my two malts

**Dogwriter** · 08-27-2010, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by They Call Me Mamma

Tanya,
I was going to post about the temperment of my Lexi who sounds more like your Piper.

Oh! Thank goodness~ I felt like the evil stepmom on this thread. It's not that I don't love her (how could I not??) but I'm surprised at her temperament. I even wondered if I'm the cause of it, since she's a lot like a couple of Corgis I've had. OTOH, she is funnier than about any puppy I've ever had. And my husband gets a big kick out of it when she backtalks, and I'm walking around saying "Yes you ARE, Piper!"

But everyone in the shop talks about how sweeeeet she is. (They're right. She sucks up.)

And they're so smart -- I didn't expect that. She has learned a bunch of commands already.

Can you tell I'm a proud mom?

08-19-2010, 05:46 PM	#21 (permalink)
Dogwriter Member Name: Tanya Dog's Name: Piper (malt), Fella, Noelle. (Corgis) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: TN Posts: 137	Hmmm. It doesn't sound like you are describing my dog! Yes she is sweeeeeet and loving and playful. But she is very feisty. She backtalks me (by growling) if I tell her no. Sometimes I say no again, and she growls more or barks with her tiny baby yip. I am hoping she outgrows it. __________________

08-19-2010, 06:28 PM	#22 (permalink)
allheart Maltese Guru Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6,707	Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh the Maltese Let me first say, that I love every furbaby that exsist. Regardless of breed, oh how I love them all. Big, small, all of them. Most I am allergic too , but not the Maltese. But the Maltese breed, oh my goodness, I think they are a secret to the small breed of dogs. Not only are they just simply gorgeous, that beautiful hair, and they don't shed, is that incredible. Oh , but the temperment Loving, sensitive, hilarious little ones, loyal, forever playful, even into their senior years (I honestly don't think they think they are dogs, and I have to agree ) When my Kara (RIP) was in the hospital, Johnathan, and I will never forget his name ever, said to us, "My gosh, I only had her for the one night, but I completely fell in love with her, she is so loving He continued to say, "Usually the smaller breeds are so barky, and feisty, but all she did was wag her tail, and want to love me and for me to love her They just are precious souls, and I believe very smart little ones at that. I thank the heavens, for the reputable true breeders that keep this loving breed going and all the rescues that provide these precious ones a safe place to call home Would I ever be a furbaby Mommy to a different breed, oh I wouldn't rule it at, one may need a home someday, and just may be perfect timing, but I always will have a Maltese and I and hubby always consider it a blessing. __________________

08-26-2010, 08:40 PM	#29 (permalink)
Katkoota Super Moderator Name: Katkoota Dog's Name: Snowy & Crystal Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Oasis in the desert Posts: 13,495	I truly believe that each dog is unique in temperament and personality, regardless of breed. Of course, the breed standard set the temperament, but that doesn't mean that all maltese have the exact same ones. Looking at my two maltese, I can tell you this: They are 2 maltese, but oh boy, SO DIFFERENT in temperament/personality. In fact, they are the complete opposite...do you know the saying that says "opposite attracts"? lol i think it is true when I look at my two maltese. they are so bonded to each other. you have Snowy: the super active, athlete, alert, high driven, fearless maltese. He does have prey drive for small creatures and movable objects (he is addicted to fetching and retrieving anything that you throw for him). He is more into doing any active activity rather than sitting on someone's lap. He can make one GREAT performance maltese with this personality of his. He is a huge social-bug. Gets along with dogs very well. Then you have Crystal, a real lap maltese who doesn't mind being on your lap forever. She is calmer and more laid back. Not high driven as Snowy. Very sweet and cuddly Seeing her mommy happy is her number1 goal (where as with Snowy, lets say that he has other priorities - more outgoing) However, I have to admit that the environment where she grew up in (with Snowy) changed her a lot. She still is the more laid back malt, but you see her chasing toys now - Actually, it was all Snowy's fault as she was addicted to him first and now does and gets involve into whatever she sees him into. Most of the times, she does it just to drive him crazy she is still the sweetest; she would shower my guinea pigs with kisses. I can't trust Snowy on that though, the looks that he gives are killers. What do Snowy and Crystal share in common is: they are both so very loving, trusting, loyal, dependent, wanna be with you all the time, affectionate, both LOVE their belly rubs. I sure LOVE my two malts __________________ xoxo Kat & the Malts "catch me if you can" Click here for Crystal & Snowy Videos Last edited by Katkoota; 08-26-2010 at 08:59 PM.

08-21-2010, 06:22 PM	#23 (permalink)
They Call Me Mamma Newbie Name: Mamma Dog's Name: Lexi, Demi, and Billie Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Iowa, U.S.A. Posts: 12	Tanya, I was going to post about the temperment of my Lexi who sounds more like your Piper. Lexi is sweet, loving, loyal, playfull etc. and she is my heart however she is also a "Dennis the menace"...always into something...she has a little "attitude" at times and can be right down naughty. I was wondering if anyone else had a "problem child" like mine? She also does the neatest things,but growls at me if I don't rub her tummy in just the right spot, if I sit too long at a desk or table she will grab the end of my jeans with her teeth and try to pull me out of the chair! Like I tell my brother, it's like she TALKS and the scary thing is I know what she's sayin...anyone else out there with similar stories? What can I do to break Lexi of always getting into things? She knows better but does it anyway.

08-22-2010, 05:19 AM	#24 (permalink)
jodublin Maltese Guru Name: jo Dog's Name: sugar,obi,shiloh ,summer, Elmo,monkey, and teddy. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dublin.ireland. Posts: 5,750	my husband calls my maltese my flock ,they may look like little lambs but they have a heart of a lion ,some times they behave like naughty 2 year old human babys ,i treat them like i did my kids ,,i know they are spoiled but they are worth it .

08-22-2010, 08:29 AM	#26 (permalink)
They Call Me Mamma Newbie Name: Mamma Dog's Name: Lexi, Demi, and Billie Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Iowa, U.S.A. Posts: 12	Oh thank God I still really am "ok"...your dogs "talk" to you too!!!! I had to LAUGH at Flakeys antics....sounds so cute! I can't leave Lexi or Demi loose in the house when I leave cuz they like to eat electrical cords!!!! Yes my Lexi is just 2 years old so she still is pretty young. My dau. who has 3 older Yorkies keeps telling me Lexi will grow out of this.??? I love her to death, she is my heart but sometimes it DOES get a bit exasperating. She has LOTS of personality thats for sure....and yes your post does help, thanks!!

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