Maltese can be pretty aggressive / protective, got to admit.
My mum had several over the years.
That said, I know what you're saying, at my workshop (7 units, lock up yard), most daytime presence was minimal off and on, so numerous readings a year were estimated, and with that, one of the workshop units had a tenant with an old German Shepherd, very friendly, walked up to all who came wagging tail to say hello.
Because of those 2 issues, some years we might get just a couple of actual reads !!
Learned to call and give meter readings, send photo by email if they asked, but nowadays (as you still have an old analogue meter), you can go to your logged in usage page on the app and submit your own reading, anytime during a billing cycle.
