Maltese Enrichment: Games and Activities
The AKC rates the Maltese 3/5 for mental stimulation needs: a mix of easy games and the odd harder puzzle works well.
Activities to try with your Maltese
Towel knot treat puzzle
A tea towel rolled around a few treats and tied in a loose knot: a free, five-minute snuffle mat.
Digging pit with buried toys
A kiddie pool or sandbox of clean sand where digging is allowed, with toys buried for your dog to find.
Lick mat calm-down
Soft food spread thinly over a lick mat. Slow, steady licking helps many dogs settle, for example during fireworks or storms.
Find the toy
Hide your dog's favorite toy and send them to sniff it out: a scent game that needs no food at all.
Flirt pole chase
A lure on a rope at the end of a pole that your dog chases along the ground: lots of exercise in a few minutes.
Teach your dog toy names
Teach your dog to bring a toy by its name, then pick it out of a pile: a brain game you can reward with play instead of food.
Build a 7-day plan from what you have →
Is a Maltese right for you? · Maltese breed guide