Obedience · Maltese
How to Train a Maltese to Come When Called
Updated · How we write our guides
Short answer
Train your Maltese to come by pairing cheerful verbal cues and the Touch hand target with high-value rewards like roast chicken. Because this affectionate toy breed thrives on connection, use short, playful chase games to show them that returning to you is always fun and rewarding.
Teaching your Maltese a bulletproof recall is the single most vital safety behavior you can establish. While these diminutive companions are wonderfully affectionate and playful, their fearless temperament means they rarely perceive real-world dangers like oncoming traffic, predatory wildlife, or larger dogs. Furthermore, their susceptibility to small-dog syndrome can lead to selective hearing if training feels unrewarding or overly repetitive. Because Maltese possess moderate energy and thrive on close human connection, short, upbeat sessions centered on joyful games work far better than rigid drills. By leveraging their deep devotion and offering high-value culinary rewards, you will teach your fearless toy companion that running straight to you is always the safest, most lucrative choice they can make.
How to do it
Step-by-step
Tick off each step as you practice it — your progress is saved on this device.
Step 1: Establish high-value rewards and prime the cue
Select pea-sized treats that far outshine standard kibble, such as slivers of plain roast chicken, freeze-dried liver, or low-moisture mozzarella. Stand three feet away inside a quiet room, say your dog's name followed once by 'Come' in a cheerful, gentle pitch, and immediately deliver the prize as soon as they turn. Run this pairing for two minutes twice daily across three days so your dog associates the verbal cue with an instant jackpot. If your Maltese ignores the sound, gently tap your legs or make a soft kissy noise to capture their focus without repeating the formal cue.
Step 2: Introduce the Touch hand target indoors
Present your flat palm at your dog's nose level roughly two feet away and cue 'Touch'. When their wet nose taps your skin, mark with 'Yes' and treat from your opposite hand, creating a precise physical target for future recalls. Practice five repetitions per session across two daily blocks, gradually expanding your starting distance up to ten feet across the living room. If your dog hesitates or wanders off, rub a microscopic dab of cream cheese onto your palm to guide their nose until the mechanical motion clicks.
Step 3: Play the runaway chase game
Harness your Maltese's innate playfulness by calling their name and 'Come', then quickly taking three brisk steps backward rather than looming forward. Bending slightly or crouching lowers your posture to a welcoming, non-intimidating level suitable for a toy breed. Perform four or five repetitions during active indoor play, rewarding enthusiastically with verbal praise and high-value food the moment they catch you. If your dog stops short and starts barking demandingly, freeze completely, turn slightly sideways, and only reward when they close the physical gap.
Step 4: Transfer skills to a lightweight long line
Transition outdoors to an enclosed patio or quiet grassy yard using a well-fitted harness and an ultra-lightweight ten-foot long line that will not drag down their tiny frame. Allow your Maltese to wander and sniff, wait for a natural lull in their focus, cue 'Come', and guide them smoothly toward you with a back-pedal and open arms. Practice this five to eight times per outing, ensuring you deliver multiple consecutive treats over several seconds upon arrival. If they get distracted by environmental sights, gently guide the line without jerking to break their line of sight and re-engage their attention.
Step 5: Add distance and mild outdoor distractions
Expand your training perimeter to twenty feet on the long line in a park setting while keeping your dog below their arousal threshold. Call them while mild outdoor triggers, such as distant rustling leaves or quiet pedestrians, are present nearby. Execute two to three successful long-distance repetitions, rewarding each arrival with a celebratory jackpot and an affectionate chin scratch. If your Maltese fixates or begins barking excitedly at a passing dog, calmly decrease the distance, wait for quiet focus, and practice an easier recall from just three feet away.
Step 6: Proof recall away from fun activities
Practice calling your Maltese off low-level real-life distractions, such as sniffing an interesting stick or playing with a squeaky toy indoors. When they respond, feed a jackpot, briefly cuddle them, and immediately release them with a cue like 'Go play' so they realize coming to you does not mean the end of fun. Practice this protocol once or twice during natural daily routines to prevent the common toy-breed association of recall with confinement or grooming. If they refuse to leave the toy, calmly walk over, trade with an irresistible piece of chicken, and restart from an easier baseline tomorrow.
For the Maltese
Pro tips
- Always crouch low or step backward when calling your Maltese, as towering over a toy dog can trigger subtle environmental hesitation.
- Keep treats microscopic; overfeeding rich proteins during rapid recall reps can quickly upset a toy dog's sensitive digestive tract.
- Never call your dog to you to perform disliked tasks like eye-cleaning or brushing; instead, walk to them calmly without using your recall cue.
Owners ask
Frequently asked questions
Why does my Maltese run away from me when I call them to pick them up?
Toy dogs frequently develop an avoidance response if recalls always end with being swept up, crated, or having their paws wiped. Counter-condition this by calling your dog, feeding a delicious jackpot, gently touching their harness without lifting them, and letting them walk away free. Reserve scooping them up for distinct, unhurried moments paired with continuous high-value rewards.
My Maltese tends to bark loudly when I call them instead of running over. How do I stop this?
This vocal breed often barks out of excitement or frustration when they want the treat brought directly to them. Simply stand entirely still, withhold eye contact, and do not repeat the cue until they step toward you to close the distance. Reward the physical forward movement rather than the vocal demand so they understand locomotion earns the prize.
Can I use a retractable leash for outdoor recall training with my Maltese?
Retractable leashes are unsuited for recall training because the constant tension teaches your dog to pull, and bulky plastic handles can terrify a toy dog if dropped. Use an ultra-lightweight nylon or biothane long line attached to a secure back-clip harness instead. This setup allows your Maltese to move naturally without feeling drag on their delicate neck and spine.
What should I do if my Maltese ignores my recall to chase a squirrel?
Their fearless temperament means small prey drive can easily override novice obedience if your dog is off-leash. Never chase them, as they will perceive it as a thrilling game of tag; instead, make sudden squeaking noises or run enthusiastically in the opposite direction to trigger their chase drive back toward you. Keep them on a lightweight long line in unconfined areas until their recall is thoroughly proofed against live wildlife.
Spotted a mistake or something out of date? Email us — we review every report, fix the guide and update its date. Our guides are general education, not a substitute for a certified trainer or veterinary behaviorist.
