A Maltese puppy still needs bite inhibition and clear mouth-play rules. Keep hands and movements small, teach on the ground and do not turn carrying or restraint into the answer to every unwanted use of the mouth.
Identify the mouth-use pattern
| Pattern | What it looks like | What it needs |
|---|---|---|
| Exploratory mouthing | A loose puppy samples hands, clothing or nearby objects with the mouth. | Teach bite-force control, manage unsafe access and redirect to a suitable object. |
| Over-aroused play | Faster movement, repeated contact with skin or clothing and less response to a familiar stop cue. | End earlier, lower movement and move to calm sniffing or rest. |
| Handling avoidance | The puppy turns away, mouths the brush or targets a hand when coat handling continues too long. | Stop, return to an easier handling step and rebuild voluntary participation. |
Teach bite inhibition in three stages
Do not skip force control by demanding zero mouthing immediately, and do not lift the puppy every time teeth appear.
A clear small-dog mouth-play routine
- Start with a suitable object Offer a soft, safe toy at ground level and keep hand movement small enough for the puppy to follow without grabbing skin.
- Painful contact pauses interaction Pause calmly after painful contact; do not yell, grab the muzzle or hold the puppy down.
- Finish while response remains available End on a consistent cue before movement escalates, then offer calm sniffing or rest.