Tips: Caring for Your Maltese Puppy
The Beatles Said "All You Need is Love." But Then Again...
Congratulations on your choice of breeds. In our opinion Maltese are the most wonderful dogs in the world. Thank you for choosing Jacob Maltese as your breeder. It is our desire that each of our dogs lives in a home where they are loved, cared for, played with and allowed to love their human parents in return. Here are some tips that I wish someone had told me when I got my first Maltese.
Recommended Supplies
You may never need all of these items but I have listed them with the rationale/use so that you can know what has worked for me.
Brush-pin brush with no balls on the ends of the pins as the balls break hair. These brushes cannot usually be bought in a regular pet supply store but have to be ordered or purchased at a dog show. I personally prefer the brushes from Chris Christenson.
Slicker brush-small one to use only on the feet as it breaks hair. You can use it to remove small mats also but be aware that you will lose hair-of course you are going to lose some hair anytime there is a mat.
Rat tail comb-Sally's Beauty supply-use the metal rat tail to part the hair starting from either the tail or the neck and working your way down the back in a straight line. Also use it to tease hair for top knot if putting hair up of show or special occasions
Greyhound comb-this is a small metal comb used to comb the mustache. Start at the inside corner of the eye and comb the hair away from the eye and down. It will remove eye matter and help prevent tear stains. Some people use a flea comb for this but I find the tines on the flea comb are sometimes too close together and it pulls too much on the dog.
Rubber bands-I get mine from www.laineeltd.com but they can also be bought from Pet Edge, etc. I use the light weight ones for everyday wear and heavyweight for show. The rubber bands should be removed each day and the top knot hair brushed.
Hair Dryer on a Stand-You have a couple of options here. You can get a table model such as a Duck Head which tilts and allows you to have both hands free to brush and hold the dog during drying. Or you can buy a clamp which is flexible and can be clamped to your table top and the other end holds a regular hair dryer in the clamp. This allows you better control of the air flow. Maltese should have their hair blown dry with warm, not hot air and be especially careful to dry the ears well or they may develop ear infections.
Toe-nail Clippers-I like the scissors kind as they don't "click" like the guillotine kind. If you cut one into the quick with the guillotine kind then they will generally become panicked by the click making future cuttings difficult. Toenails should be kept pretty short to protect coat and avoid foot problems.
Styptic Powder-stops the bleeding and pain fast if (well really when, because you will do it sometime) the nail is cut too short
Sink Mat-I just use the Rubbermaid kind. This keeps them from slipping as much during bath-time
Feeding Bowl - Glass or stainless steel -plastic absorbs stuff
Drip Water Bottle - glass is preferable but sometimes hard to find. Some people don't think their dogs can get enough water from a drip bottle but I use them with all my dogs, even puppies once they are old enough. They keep the face from getting wet in the water bowl-something which contributes to tear staining.
Satin Slip Lead -I get mine from www.laineeltd.com. As a puppy they may need to be on a halter but as an adult I prefer not to use any type of a collar as they mat hair. These type leads have a wider part which goes under the muzzle and they are less likely to cause choking than the type sold in most pet stores.
Spray Leave-in Conditioner - there are many types available. I prefer Ice-on-Ice by Chris Christenson but it has to be ordered or gotten at a dog show. "The Stuff" sold by Pet Edge is pretty good. You should probably invest in the concentrate as you will be using it daily when you brush the coat. A bottle of concentrate of either brand will last a long, long time! Spray each section of the hair as you brush it.
Toys - ropes, balls, chew toys, etc
Pet Toothpaste/Toothbrush - most toy dogs are subject to poor dental health-begin early brushing their teeth. If they fight having something in their mouth start out at first putting your finger in their mouth with Nutri-Cal on it and they will permit this and lick away. Then switch to toothpaste and a tooth-brush. I also like to occasionally give mine a "Greenie" (not the Lil Bits as they are so small that they may choke on them. I use the Petite ones. I don't give mine rawhide as they can break a tooth, except that I will occasionally give them a "Bully Stick" - these are bull pensis which have been smoked. They are easy to digest, clean the teeth and because they become moist when chewed they will not break teeth. However, be warned, they get really really sticky and can mess up a long coat-they also smell pretty strong.
Nutri-Cal - this is a paste nutritional supplement. I keep some on hand but don't use it unless a dog is severely off his/her food or appears to be hypo-glycemic. Just put some on your finger and have them lick it off-if you have to give it then they are probably sick enough to at least call and check in with your vet.
Camera - to take lots of pictures of your new baby.
Food
I personally use Hill’s Science Diet dry food. I’ve tried several other brands but my dogs like this and I know that I can trust the nutritional value of it. Do not give your “baby” people food no matter how much they beg. We learned this the hard way and almost lost my first female to severe pancreatitis. They do love treats and I try to only give them treats which do not contain food coloring as it tends to contribute to eye staining.
Potty Training
I don’t have any suggestions here except to be as consistent as possible in taking them out after meals, before bedtime etc. They respond very well to praise so praise them when they do it right!
Enjoy your baby and allow them to love you as much as you love them!!