Maltese & barking

Question
QUESTION: Hi there. I have a female Maltese who is very naughty at times. She's like a baby to me,really cute and clever. Unfortunately she has very bad manners. She barks at any noise outside(even in the middle of the night) or when she hears the other two dogs barking outside. She barks at visitors(i especially find this very annoying and embarrassing.)She doesn't like any other puppies either and they cant get close to her or me. my aunt is visiting next month and shes bringing her 4 month old puppy with(this is my dogs younger brother.lol).i just know that my dog is going to give us grief. is there any way i can teach her manners?i just want her to listen to me when i say 'stop it' or 'no'. Thank you.

ANSWER: Lol dont worry i know how you feel this is very common in dogs who were not socialised young and especially maltese as they are so protective of their owners.When your out walking and another dog approaches you do you turn the other way, pick your dog up or avoid contact? if so this is natural its to avoid hassle etc but your doing more bad than good. Maltese are very territorial so to prevent the barking at visitors mae her stay in her basket until the visitors come in and sit down and et her out when you say so... even though you know she is friendly others dont lol small dogs auctually scare more than large ones. Get her used to visits take her to see friends etc family and just let her sit with you as you would at home. To combat the dog dislike, you have to walk them together to get them used to each other therefore they are out of their own territory. if you perservere she will be ok my dog constantly barks at the neighbours dogs and they try to bite him over the fence this therefore impacted on his socialisation with dogs as he remembers this experience where he has to be protective, this could also have impacted your dog.
How old is she let me know what you think to the advice and well see how i can help more thanks

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QUESTION: Hi there. Thank you for your very quick reply. Your advice is very good:) I guess the problem lies with me. I do tend to pick her up when there's other dogs around to avoid contact. I'm always very protective over her so I can understand why she feels jealous when I play with other puppies. Even though she has a very good relationship with my other two dogs(both older than her - she's 1yr 6months), they seem to know that she's 'in charge'. She's very mean to them,they can't even look at her food and she'll be ready to attack(not that she can really do much to them.they're much bigger.lol).But they too, are very protective over her. I guess she knows this also.
I suppose I should take her out more often and let her socialize with other dogs and people.Do you think its too late for this?

Answer
no not too late for her lol you know it will be a lot scarier for you than her lol. Id try with family and friends dogs first because then you know if they are ok with other dogs. I know it seems easier for her to have less contact with other dogs as shes not at any risk then but it seems that it may calm her down etc.
Good luck let me know how you get on be strict FIRM but FAIR lol