I have just adopted a stray . She appears to be Maltese. She is good with kids and is learning fast.?

the screeching is typical of a dog with a bad history --- soo sad,, she has separation anxiety... you will need to work on this, slowly but surely... practice just closing the bathroom door,, then open it right away and praise her ( give a cookie) if she was quiet.. you will have to start with short periods, gradually adding up the time that she cannot see you.... give her time,, she is adjussting to your home after adjusting to the pound etc.

It is not typical of a Maltese from what i have seen and heard. But it may be typical for a dog with separation anxiety. And a dog who has possibly been abandoned, she could definitely have this problem. And for the chewing, it is normal for a puppy to chew, but it is safest to buy her her OWN chew toys, and not allow her to chew on ANYTHING else. If she chews on things like kid's toys, or something on the floor, she could ingest it, and it could be dangerous, so it is best to just get her her own toys. But i'm glad you found her and gave her a home. She will feel SO much better once she is shaved down and free from those mats!!

Maltese are related to Bichons and Bichons are extremely dependent upon the physical closeness to their people. My bichon has not allowed either my husband or myself any privacy since he was a baby. He would scratch the bathroom door until his little paw bled so we have always let him come inside. He sits in the sink and that seems to make him happy.

That screechy howl, is the same as my female bichon, it kind of tears a hole through your eardrums but she does get her point across, eh?

They hate, hate hate to be alone. Before I got my girl, my boy would lay in the front windowsill and watch the animals all day, now he is like a puppy again. Maybe you ought to think about getting her a little friend.

Good luck with your new darling, and thank you for rescueing her, she is very lucky to have you.

PS, google Bichon Havanese, they are very similar to Maltese but their snouts are a bit more accentuated than a maltese but their noses are bichon noses. Bichon noses are cartoon noses.

Also google Coton Tuleres, they are smaller than Bichons, about 6-9 pounds and look very much like a cross between a maltese and a sheepdog/

I have two Maltese males. It is not typical of the breed. Have you taken her to the Vet? You should have her checked out especially since you have children.

I agree with the others about the separation anxiety. But it doesn't seem to me you have had her long enough for her to act out in that manner. Another question for the Vet to answer.

I know no one believes me but my boys have never chewed anything that does not belong to them. Not one article of anything except their toys. I didn't have to train them, they just never have and I have had them since they were weaned from their mother.

I don't know if this is a breed specific thing or not. I think she may have "separation anxiety". I had a poodle that would howl when I left her at home alone. She got better though when I left something of mine (usually a sock) that had my scent on it. She never chewed it. Just would lay on it & wait till I came back. Maybe this will help you? Hope so! :)

well, of course! its ok about the screeching voice. she is probably just trying to get used to a new home and new people. the best thing for you to do would be to be as calm as you can and just take care of her and pet her on her nose. they love that! i hope my answer has helped you!

She may have separation anxiety since you are the one that rescued her. That's what it sounds like anyway.

from what I can tell it just means that she doesn't want you to leave her. she wants your attention. since you said that she was a stray she might have had something happen to her and became close to you.

well i might be but that might happen with any stray.