Grooming Tips
How We Keep Our Pretty Dogs Looking Beautiful!
Congratulations on your choice of breeds. In our opinion Maltese are the most wonderful dogs in the world. Here are some tips that I wish someone had told me when I got my first Maltese.
Brushing/Combing
Maltese should be brushed or combed at least every other day. Some dogs really enjoy brushing but some would rather not be brushed, none of them like to have their rears or feet brushed but you must brush these areas or they will become matted. I usually try to brush them as we are relaxing together on the couch and if a brushing takes very much time then I reward mine with a treat. They quickly learn that cooperation leads to a treat.
To brush their coat lift the top hair up and brush the bottom hair first until it is free of tangles all the way to the skin, then work your way up to the top hair. This prevents tangles from developing close to the skin. Use an open-spaced pin brush with no “balls” on the pins and avoid brushing up at the ends as this tends to break off the hair. It is a good idea to spray the coat lightly with water or a leave-in conditioner as this also helps to prevent hair breakage. Always be sure to brush their tummies.
Top Knots
When I got my first Maltese I looked everywhere for tiny bows and rubber
bands. I bought a ton of “baby bows” and talked my son’s
orthodontist into giving me some extra rubber bands—none of which
worked. However, I have learned that there are special rubber bands and
bows made especially for this purpose. I get rubber bands (also show leads
and show bows) from The Color Coordinated Canine at www.laineeltd.com.
Some groomers sell “everyday” bows so you may be able to buy
them locally. They can also be ordered from mail order companies such as
Fosters & Smith or PetEdge.
The best way to learn to do top knots is to watch someone. If your new Maltese has long enough hair I will demonstrate when you get it .
First brush/comb the top hair to be certain it is free from tangles. Fold a single perm paper into quarters and the quarters into themselves for each bow. Get your rubber bands out and I usually go ahead and put one on the fingers of my left-hand.
Go out to the corners of the eyes pulling up all the hair, tease the hair with a teasing comb and secure with a rubber band. If putting in two bows, split the teased hair as evenly as possible and secure each half with a rubber band. Use the pointed end of the teasing comb to “fluff” the top knot while holding the hair at the rubber band. Place the folded perm paper around the hair above the rubber band and fold it over once. Secure this with a rubber band and then add the bows.
Tear Stains
Most Maltese will develop tear stains during some time of their life. They are especially prone to tearing if they are teething, if they have an ear infection or if hair gets in their eyes. Keep their hair out of their eyes. This is easier said than done as they are usually very active dogs and top knots fall out as they play. Use a small “mustache” comb to comb hair outward from the corners of the eyes. When hair is short I use a hair gel to help keep it away from the eyes. I try to wash their eyes every day. I use clear water on a wash rag and try to be sure and get any tear material, which is usually somewhat sticky, off of the face. I recently stared using a tear stain remover which actually works very well (most of them do not work) and is very gentle. It is called Eye Envy and can be ordered from www.eyeenvy.org.
Shampoo/Conditioner
“Whatever works best for your dog!!” Frankly, I have tried them all. My first Maltese had very cottony hair and I poured so much conditioner on him that he should have been like silk—he wasn’t and never will be—but we love him anyway. He is now neutered so that he can’t pass his coat along to another generation and I keep him clipped. He and I are both a lot happier!
Probably the ones I like the best are Bio-Groom
White which is a whitening shampoo which is also tearless. I don’t
think it is possible to bathe a dog without getting some in their eyes so
I prefer a gentle product. Using any whitening shampoo on a frequent basis
will cause the hair to dry out so I only use it if preparing for show or
on special occasions.
I like Bio-Groom’s Pet Silk for a conditioner and also Crown Royale.
Crown Royale is more expensive and you will not usually find it in local
pet supply stores but it conditions very well.
Although I’m certain some groomers will disagree with me I also frequently
use Nexus Shampoo and Conditioner. It really seems to condition the hair
very well and I’ve had no problems with it irritating my dogs’
skin.