Important Disclaimer
The information provided here is for general pet health education only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional veterinary advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital immediately.
- Species & breed
- Dog · Maltese
- Age
- 7 years old
- Sex
- Male
- Color
- Tan & White
Congratulations on adopting Caswell! Housetraining an adult dog — especially one coming from a shelter — is very doable, and in some ways easier than training a puppy because adult dogs have better bladder control. The key is patience and consistency.
Why shelter dogs need a fresh start
Caswell may have lived in a kennel environment where he had no choice but to go wherever he was. That doesn't mean he's stubborn or untrainable — it just means the concept of "outside is the bathroom" is new to him. Treat him like a puppy in terms of structure, but expect him to pick it up faster.
The basics of adult dog housetraining
- Establish a tight schedule. Take Caswell outside first thing in the morning, after every meal, after naps, after play, and right before bed. Small breeds like Maltese have smaller bladders, so more frequent trips (every 2–3 hours at first) really help.
- Always go to the same spot. The familiar smell helps cue him that this is where he goes.
- Stay outside long enough. Give him 5–10 minutes to sniff around and settle. Don't rush him.
- Praise the moment he goes. Calm, warm praise (or a small treat) right as he finishes — not after you're back inside — helps him connect the dots.
- Supervise closely indoors. When you can't watch him, use a crate or a small gated area. Dogs generally won't soil their sleeping space, so a properly sized crate is a powerful housetraining tool.
- Don't punish accidents. If you find a spot after the fact, he won't connect the correction to the act. Just clean it up thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner (this removes the scent so he's less likely to return to that spot).
- Watch for pre-accident signals. Sniffing the floor, circling, or suddenly leaving the room are common signs he needs to go out.
A note on Maltese specifically
Small breeds can be a little slower to fully housetrain because accidents are easy to miss and owners sometimes give them more indoor freedom too soon. Keep expectations realistic for the first few weeks — consistency now pays off quickly.
Most newly adopted adult dogs get the hang of housetraining within 2–4 weeks with a solid routine.
When to see your vet:
If Caswell is having accidents that seem urgent, frequent, or involve straining, blood in the urine, or he seems uncomfortable, schedule a vet visit soon — these can be signs of a urinary tract issue rather than a training problem. It's also a great idea to get a general wellness check scheduled for him now that he's newly adopted, so you have a baseline on his health.
Was this answer helpful?
Your feedback helps us improve answers for every pet.