Chewing is a common problem in all dogs. Your Maltese is chewing because he may be bored, lonely or stressed. If you have a Maltese puppy that chews, he could be teething.

Here are some training tips on how to stop your Maltese from chewing.

1. If chewing is a problem for your Maltese, keep him in a restricted area when not under your supervision. If you are not able to keep an eye on your dog, place him in a crate and provide him with chew toys. Do not let him roam freely in your house until he's been trained not to chew.

2. Use deterrents such as bitter spray or cayenne pepper on table legs, wooden furniture and carpet to discourage your Maltese from chewing. They are ideal for items that you cannot keep out of reach from your dog. You will still need to provide toys for your dog to chew. Do not give an old shoe or furniture. Otherwise, your dog may think that it is ok to chew on similar items.

3. When you catch your Maltese chewing, tell him ‘NO' firmly and give him a chew toy instead. Praise him enthusiastically when he chews on the toy. You must only correct him when you catch him in the act.

4. Give your Maltese a variety of chew toys to keep him occupied. Each week, alternate his toys so he has something different to play with.

5. If your Maltese is chewing because he is bored or lonely, make sure he gets plenty of physical and mental exercise. You are more likely to have a well-behaved, healthy and happy dog. Bring him for a long walk, a run or play with him. In addition to obedience and behaviour training, teach your dog new tricks. He enjoys learning them if you praise or reward him with his favourite treats. Exercise can also help to relieve tension and overcome boredom in your dog, thereby preventing most behaviour problems.

6. If you take time to puppy proof your home, there is less chance of your Maltese finding valuable things to chew. Keep hazardous items such as electric cords, chemicals, sharp objects and poisonous house plants out of reach from your dog. Besides training your Maltese to stop chewing, you are also preventing potential accidents from happening to him.

It takes time, patience and consistency to train your Maltese from chewing. If you find a method that works, apply it consistently in your Maltese training. If none of the above methods work, you may want to consider using an anti-bark collar.