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The Maltese breed of dogs make delightful companions, with a reputation for being gentle
yet bold. They are "toy" dogs and thus will be happy companions who will sit by your side,
hour after hour, while you read a book or watch television. Your Maltese will live well
into its teens and you can expect it to be its same playful and mischievous self for
most of those years. While they make good pets, Maltese are not suitable for all households.
Think carefully before acquiring any dog, but also be aware of the specific needs of
the Maltese breed, particularly its grooming needs.
Part 1 Deciding if a Maltese is Right For You
Determine whether the Maltese personality is right for you and your lifestyle..
Maltese do like company and can bark or suffer anxiety related problems if they are left
alone for long periods of time. Think about whether you can structure your day so that
the Maltese is not left alone for more than 4 hours at a time.
Be aware that because Maltese like to be with people, they can easily become over-dependant
on human company and suffer from stress or "separation anxiety" unless trained from a
young age to cope in solitude. To train the dog to do this means deliberately spending
small periods of time away from the dog so that it learns to be alone. Be careful not
to over pamper the dog as this can make it even more difficult for it when you're not
there to fuss it.
Be aware that not all Maltese dogs are tolerant of children or other animals. They are physically
small and can easily feel threatened by an over exuberant child. This can result in the
dog growling or nipping. If you have small children, then think carefully because you
will need to supervise the Maltese and children all the time.
Gauge whether you can care for a Maltese properly.. Be aware that the Maltese feel the cold easily.
If your home is chilly or you live in a cold environment, then reconsider your choice of
dog. Also be aware they have long silky coats, which needs daily grooming and also sheds
heavily. If you have black soft furnishings then either be prepared for lots of shed hair
or consider a different breed. Prepare to have a dog that lives well into
its teens.. If you can't commit to such a long term undertaking,
or you expect your circumstances to change, then reconsider getting a dog , especially
one that can live to be 14 or 15. Adopting a dog is a long-term commitment, not something
to take lightly. Pick your specific Maltese wisely..
There are thousands of Maltese breeders out there, but there are also plenty of purebreds
in animal shelters. If you know someone with a Maltese ask where that person got it. Make
sure that before you bring your Maltese home, that it gets along with other pets or children
you may have.
Make sure you see the Maltese puppy with his mother. If for whatever reason the mother
is not present, walk away. This is a give away sign that the puppy is from a puppy mill
and such immoral breeding programs should not be encouraged.
Make sure your Maltese was socialized well as a puppy, as this helps make it become a
confident outgoing adult. Part 2
Grooming a Maltese Brush your Maltese daily..
Maltese dogs have long fur. A Maltese has to be groomed professionally frequently, maybe
once a month, but must be brushed daily using a nice, soft brush. Remove excess fur and
untangle knots.
You may need to use a comb to get to the root of any tangles and knots. Remember to gently
tease them apart. Take extreme care cutting out knots, as it is all too easy to nick the
skin. Bathe your Maltese with a mild shampoo and
conditioner made for dogs.. You may need to bathe a playful puppy once
a week, while a calm, older dog will only need a monthly bath. Wash its fur like it's
your own hair, only be very gentle! Wash don't forget to clean your pup's face with a washcloth.
Clean your Maltese's eyes regularly.. Maltese dogs have white fur that is prone
to tear staining. You will recognize this as the brown streaks down the face of a white
dog. This happens when tears overspill onto the cheek and stay there for a few hours.
Substances in the tear fluid oxidizes and change to that rust-colored pigment, which
causes the staining.
To avoid this, wipe your dog's eye regularly. The amount of tear overflow varies with each
individual dog. If the lower lid area or cheek are constantly wet, then wipe hourly. For
dogs with less moisture from the eyes, you only need to wipe twice a day or when you
spot gloop in the corner of the eye. There are various commercial products available
for wiping eyes, but previously boiled water on cotton wool is perfectly sufficient. Dampen
the cotton wool with the cool water and wipe away any moisture or stickiness from the eye
area. Then finish with a dry piece of cotton wool to pat the area dry.
Brush your dog's teeth.. Many people don't do this, but it is very,
very important, especially for older dogs. This will slow up tartar formation and protect
your dog's dental health. Start at a young age, so the dog accepts having its teeth brushed.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste made for dogs. It can be purchased at any
pet store.
Be aware the Maltese are especially prone to the formation of plaque and then tartar
formation. This irritates the gums leading to inflammation and infection. Ultimately
this causes gum recession and the teeth to loosen, become infected, and fall out.
If this is your first time, rub the gums and teeth with your finger. Adding some soft dog
food can make this more pleasant. Brush your dog's teeth before bed.
Alternatively speak to your vet about small-sized kibble that has a cleaning action as the dog
chews. Be aware that canned food is more likely to build tartar than dry food, and speed up
tartar formation. Trim your dog's nails regularly..
Maltese nails should be clipped monthly so they do not overgrow and get infected. Using
a regular nail clipper, slowly begin to clip the end of your dog's nails, stopping before
you the live center of the nail. If you are uncertain how much nail to remove, invest
in a lesson from the groomer or vet tech.
The nail has a living center made up of blood vessels and nerves, called the quick. If you
clip too much nail away you will cut the quick, which is painful for the dog and causes bleeding.
If in doubt, err on the side of caution and remove the minimum amount possible.
The dog may be scared and will struggle. If this is the case, try feeding the dog immediately
after the nail trim so that it sees its food as a reward for good behavior.
Many Maltese owners trim their dog's nails when the dog is asleep. However, you need
to be very careful or it could really startle the dog awake.
Check the dog's ears on a daily basis.. This can be done professionally, but can also
be done at home. Go into the outer ears with a Q-tip, but do not stick it into the inner
ear. Just use it to clean the visible part of the ear. If there is wax of any sort, be
sure to clean it out.
Never put water into the dog's ears, as this softens the skin and makes it more likely
to become infected. Instead, use an ear cleaner sold for the purpose. These are designed to
dissolve wax and also for an excess to evaporate away, so the ear canal is not left over wet.
Part 3 Feeding a Maltese
Give the dog high quality food.. The Maltese has a small stomach, so choose
a premium food that is high quality. Take your vet's recommendation and also look for
a food that has a named meat listed as the main ingredient.
There are millions of brands of dog food, but there are some just made for the Maltese.
Test a few, and whichever the dog seems more comfortable with, use it.
Feed your dog on a regular schedule to help with finicky eating..
Make sure to feed your Maltese in its own feeding area. The Maltese can be prone to
being a fussy eater. To avoid this, decide on set meal times, measure out the set amount,
put the bowl on the floor in the same spot every time, and leave the room. Without you
there, the Maltese is more likely to settle down and eat.
At the end of 10 - 15 minutes return to the room. Praise the dog if it finished all its
food. If the dog left food, ignore the pup (so it gets no reward), pick up the uneaten
food and throw it away. Make sure the dog doesn't get anything else until the next meal,
so as to sharpen up its appetite. Make sure your dog is not eating too much..
It may be that you are giving the dog too much food at meal time or that you are giving
too many treats. Consult with your vet if your Maltese is putting on too much weight.
He or she may have a suggestions for helping the dog lose weight.
Part 4 Exercising, Socializing, and Training a Maltese
Socialize your dog early.. A Maltese, like all dogs, needs to be well
socialized in order to become a well-rounded dog. While it is important to bond with your
pup, its also important that the dog is open to meeting new people and animals. Expose
your puppy to a wide variety of people and animals when it is young, so that it understands
that this is a normal and enjoyable part of life.
Maltese dogs that are not socialized can become either fearful or aggressive toward strangers.
Walk your dog.. Maltese dog's will need plenty of walks. Walk
your Maltese for at least fifteen minutes every day. They need lots of exercise, so
if you live in an apartment, be sure to go to a park frequently.
Maltese are adaptable when it comes to exercise. They enjoy walks but are also happy to burn
energy in a restricted space, by playing games of fetch.
Be aware that a bored Maltese may turn to barking to amuse itself.
Train your Maltese.. The Maltese is an intelligent dog and loves
to be stimulated mentally. Like all dogs, your Maltese needs to be trained to sit, stay,
and come when called, in addition to being potty trained. Use positive reinforcement
when training, as opposed to punishment when the dog does something wrong. These dogs respond
much better to treats and love as incentive to do the right thing.
Don't be fooled by their small size, they love the mental challenge of training. Indeed,
some Maltese excel at agility training, albeit on a small scale, so don't write this off
as an activity for your dog. Give your Maltese love and attention..
Maltese dogs are beautiful animals that deserve to be treated with love and care. Snuggle
with your pup often and show it that you care for it.
Part 5 Caring For the Health of a Maltese
Take your Maltese for annual vaccinations.. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you
as to which diseases are prevalent in the area, and which it is necessary to vaccinate
against. Some states also require all pets to be vaccinated against rabies, in which
case you must comply.
Take your veterinarian's advice on preventative healthcare such as heartworm, and regular
worming treatments and use them regularly. Have your dog spayed or neutered..
If your dog is a pet and not intended for breeding, then speak to your vet about desexing.
This helps reduce antisocial behaviors, such as territory marking in the male. It also
reduces the risk of certain diseases in the female, such as mammary cancer (if done before
the second season) and pyometra (womb infection). Consider getting your pet microchipped..
This is a permanent way of identifying the dog as yours. Should it escape or be stolen,
the ID chip allows you to prove ownership. Thank you for watching!