The First Command You Should Teach Your Maltese Puppy
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🐾 What Is the First Command You Should Teach a Maltese Puppy?
Bringing home your Maltese puppy is an exciting (and slightly chaotic) time. With their fluffy white coat and sparkling eyes, it’s easy to spoil them with cuddles — but training should begin right away. So what’s the very first command your Maltese should learn?
🗣️ The Answer: “Come”
The “come” command is the foundation of all good training. It’s not just about obedience — it’s about safety, bonding, and building trust.
✅ Why “Come” is the #1 Priority:
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Keeps your puppy safe (if they run toward the street or get off-leash)
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Builds positive attention and response to your voice
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It’s a fun and easy way to start your training journey!
👣 How to Teach It (Step-by-Step)
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Start indoors, in a quiet, distraction-free room.
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Crouch down, open your arms, and say “Come!” in a happy, excited voice.
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As soon as your puppy comes to you — treat + praise!
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Repeat a few times a day for short sessions (2–3 minutes).
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Gradually add distance and distractions as they improve.
🐕 Tip: Always reward coming to you — never scold, even if they were naughty before. You want “come” to always feel safe and positive.
🎓 Bonus Tip:
Once your Maltese learns to “come” reliably, you’ll find it much easier to teach other commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “leave it.” You’ve built the habit of listening!
🐶 Want More Training Tips?
We’re working on a full Beginner’s Guide to Training a Maltese Puppy – stay tuned! 👀