Tips For New Puppy Owner
Bringing home your new, Maltese ppuppy, a fluffy ball of joy, can be traumatic for both you and your puppy. You may not know what to do just yet, and your Maltese Angel is suddenly confronted with a new home. No littermates and no mother for comfort. Here are some tips that can make the transition a little easier for both of you: Before you bring your Maltese Angel home, buy a good book on Maltese and read it. There are also great resources on the Web. Do your research before your Angel arrives, and you will feel more relaxed. Maltese are very sensitive to emotions. If you are calm and controlled, your Angel will also be more relaxed. Prior to your tiny Maltese Angel's arrival, puppy-proof your home. Be sure you have removed from your Angel's space any toxic house plants, chemicals, electrical cords that look like they would be fun to chew, small articles that could be swallowed, cleaning chemicals, or open holes in anything large enough for the puppy to wiggle into. Puppies are like children in that they will not recognize the danger. You, the adult, must take steps to make sure your Angel is safe and your personal articles are protected until the rules are firmly established. Determine a name for your little Angel and start calling him/her by it immediately. When you bring your new Maltese Angel home, try not to over-pamper it, especially the first night. Do not run in and offer comfort or tell your Angel to be quiet every time it whimpers or whines. If you do, your Angel will learn that crying brings attention. Since Maltese love to sleep with you, if you bring your Angel into your bedroom and he/she snuggles down and goes to sleep, you will have just established its nightly routine. It is best to not start your new Angel out by allowing him/her in your bed. For one they could fall out, and could be hurt or killed from the fall. To start with, train them in their crate, and then later when they are older allow them to sleep with you. Before you allow this, be sure you have stairs for them to get up and down from the bed.
Take your new Maltese Angel to your veterinarian within the first week and take the shot record you received with you. Your Vet will be able to look your Angel over and establish a vaccination schedule, and your Angel will be able to look the Vet over too! Getting used to the smells and sounds of the Vet's office is part of your Angel's learning experiences. We recommend that you be very cautious at the Vet’s since it is the place where people take their sick animals. Never put your Angel on the floor or allow them to be exposed to any other animals while there. It is also a good idea to make sure the examination table is disinfected prior to placing your new Angel on it. Always disinfect your shoes after a visit to the veterinarian’s office. Bleach will kill most germs, even parvovirus (we keep a spray bottle of 50/50 bleach water by the door). Do not allow your new Angel to lick or chew on shoes. We personally remove ours shoes and keep them away from our Angels. By removing our shoes, it keeps the floor a safe, clean place for our Angels to play.
Give your Maltese Angel plenty of chew toys, and make sure your Angel knows they are acceptable. Socks, shoes, and other human "toys" should be established as "no-no's." Therefore, giving your Angel a chew toy in the shape of a shoe is not a good idea. Your Maltese Angel will need a spot that is just for him/her. Your little Angel just left his/her littermates and its warm, snuggly mom. A small bed that has a warm place to curl up in, and is your Angel's alone, should be ready and waiting when you first bring your Maltese Angel home. In addition, do not forget those chew toys by the bed! Never use the bed or crate as a punishment place. This should be your Angels own, safe place. Feed your Angel the same brand of dog food that your Angel has been eating. Introduce any new foods gradually, mixed with the old. Having the same food to eat in a new home will help make your Maltese Angel feel "normal" until the Angel gets used to everything. Leave the food out at all times so your Angel can set its own schedule. Housebreaking has already been started when one of our little Angels arrives at your home, so start your housebreaking routine immediately so the training remains consistent. Get a good book on housebreaking, or search the Internet. There are many resources. Housebreaking your Maltese Angel means disciplining yourself too! Remember that all Angels have to "go" more often than you do. Do not use newspaper to paper-train; use the ready-made "puppy pads" from the local pet store.
Supervise small children with your new Maltese At All Times. Maltese Angels have no fear and are good jumpers; they will leap from a child's arms, or they can trip the child, injuring the child and the Maltese. Maltese are small and delicate creatures when they are babies and even at adult size.
If your Maltese Angel must be left alone during the day, turn on talk radio in your bedroom and close the door so your puppy can hear human voices. Or, turn the TV on to a news channel. If possible, plan to bring your new little Angel home when you can spend a few days getting used to each other. Make the training sessions short and upbeat. Puppies learn better, when they do not have to learn too much at once. Get your Maltese Angel used to riding in the car early in his life. Maltese love to go "bye-bye" and will get excited when called to ride with you, wherever you may go. They are great car companions. Do not let your Angel hang out the window as this can cause eye infections. Never Ever, leave your Angel in a hot car, not even for a "minute." These are very small little Angels and they can suffer heat exhaustion in a locked, hot car in just a few minutes, and/or die. Start taking pictures of your Angel every week, or take lots of video! You will really enjoy seeing your Maltese Angel as a "little one" when your Angel is full-grown. Pictures are a great way to document the growth and changes. Start your photo album the day your Maltese Angel comes home. If you have done your research, puppy-proofed your home, assembled the bed, and toys, before bringing your Maltese Angel home, you will find the rest is just common sense. If you have, concerns feel free to call us or email us at any time. We are here for you 24/7.
Maltese Grooming
Being born a Maltese has destined your Angel to a lifetime of hours of grooming. Getting your baby used to being brushed at a young age will be a big advantage to both of you. At around 6 months of age or sooner, you will notice that grooming will become more time consuming, since the coat is getting longer. Because of the texture of the Maltese coat, it tends to matte very easily. Mattes most commonly form on the backs of the legs, on the tummy, on the back in front of the tail, and behind the ears. Brushing on a regular basis will help to prevent matting. Check the coat for mats that were undetected by combing after brushing. If the coat is neglected, matting can become so severe that only shaving or cutting the hair will eliminate the problem. Young Angels should not be bathed too often, as it can dry out their skin and beautiful coat. Once every 7-10 days should be sufficient, unless your Angel requires extra care to keep its bottom clean. Try to make bath time a pleasant experience for your Angel. It will be easier for both of you now, and in the future. It can and should, be a happy, pleasant and loving time.
Grooming Coat: Grooming the Maltese coat is a particular concern of every prospective owner. The Maltese coat is not difficult to care for if you do a daily once-over with a pin brush and steel-tooth comb to remove any mats that may be forming. If you neglect the coat for any length of time and allow mats to build up, a grooming session to remove them will be a miserable experience for you as well as your Maltese. If your Angel becomes so matted you need to take it to a groomer, the groomer may have no choice but to cut the coat down very short. For daily brushing, dilute some coat conditioner with water and lightly spray the coat as you brush to keep from breaking the hair and cut down static. Keep hair out of the eyes by either putting the hair in a single or double topknot, or keeping it trimmed over the eyes.
Bathing your Maltese: Maltese can be bathed, as needed, usually once every week or two. For bathing, use a good quality shampoo designed for white dogs and a conditioner for longhaired breeds. Before beginning, brush and comb thoroughly to eliminate dead hair, knots and mats. Have everything necessary, towels, shampoo, conditioner etc. Prepare before you put your Angel in the tub. Clean your Angel's ears if necessary and place a small ball of cotton in his/her ears to soak up any water accidentally entering the ear canal during bathing (a common cause of infection). Make sure your Maltese is completely wet to the skin before applying shampoo. Apply dabs of shampoo to the back, each leg and under the tail of your Angel. Work up a good lather down to the skin, proceeding from back to front. Take special care to clean the anal area and paw pads. Rinse the coat thoroughly. At this point, you may add a conditioner. Work up a good lather down to the skin, proceeding from back to front. Take special care to clean the anal area and paw pads. Rinse the coat thoroughly. At this point, you may add a conditioner. Work it into the coat well. At this time, any minor knots can be relaxed with a little extra conditioner. Using your hands, squeeze the excess water from your Angel, paying particular attention to ears, tail and legs. Run your hands down your Angel’s body to "squeegee" water from the rest of the coat. Cover your Maltese with a towel. Use as many towels as are needed to get your Angel to the "damp-dry" stage. Then proceed to blow-dry the coat, brushing the hair as it dries. Be sure your dryer is not too hot! If the heat temperature is to hot for your hand it is to hot for your Angel. Never leave your Angel unattended while you put a dryer on them. Do not let your Maltese "air dry" - his coat will not look its best. Your Maltese can, of course, be taken to a professional groomer.
Teeth; Teeth of toy dogs are often a problem. Some dogs retain their baby teeth too long, particularly the canine teeth. In this case, duplicate sets of teeth may be seen at the age of about 6 months. Retained baby teeth can cause malocclusion, since they prevent adult teeth from growing into their proper position. These baby teeth should be removed by a veterinarian. Teeth should be cleaned regularly. Brush them with toothpaste made especially for dogs, and have your veterinarian clean them at least once a year. Gum (or periodontal) disease is one of the most common problems causing formation of tartar bad breath, receded gums, loose or infected teeth and their eventual loss. In severe cases, it can lead to serious generalized infections and heart and kidney failure. Ask your veterinarian to recommend the best method.
Ears: In drop-eared breeds such as Maltese, the ears should be kept clean and free of excess hair and debris. Check your Angel’s ears weekly. Your Maltese will alert you to problems by scratching or shaking his head and the ears will have a dark, smelly secretion. At this point, veterinarian care is advised. To remove the hair, sprinkle baking soda on your fingers (be careful not to get it in the ear canal!) or use ear powder, available at pet supply stores. If you use ear powder, sprinkle a small amount on the ear canal making sure to cover the ear hair. Holding the ear flap up with one hand, use your fingers to gently pluck out the hairs growing in the ear canal. Most Maltese will not mind this because it does not hurt. Don't pull any hairs on the inside of the ear flap.
Toe Nails: Toenails should be kept short. A good time to trim toenails is after a bath while the dog is still wet as the quick is easier to see. Most Maltese nails are white or light colored, and the darker area of the quick is unmistakable. However, some Maltese have dark nails and the quick is not visible. In this case, clip only the ends of the nails. You may have to cut more frequently to achieve a proper length. Cut at a perpendicular (90 degrees) angle to the nail. Remember to also clip the nail of the dewclaws (if your Maltese has not had them removed as a puppy), the fifth nail on the upper inside of its ankle. Maltese have dewclaws only on the front feet. After you clip them, filing the nails with a human or dog nail file helps to smooth the sharp edges.
Tear Stains: Some Maltese tear and stain more than others and are more likely to stain as puppies when they are teething. Try to keep the hair under the eyes dry. Use a fine-tooth comb or soft toothbrush dipped in warm water to remove the matter at the corner of the eye.
Anal Care: Check your Angels’ bottom regularly to make sure feces has not collected in the hair. This could lead to blockage. Keeping the hair on the bottom clipped is helpful. It is good to clean the anal gland as well. This can be done during the bathing process. Your veterinarian will be glad to show you how.
I have been asked about "teacup/tea cup/Tcup/T-cup" Maltese more times than I can count. I would like to set the record straight. There is NO such thing as a "teacup" or "pocket" Maltese as far as the Breed Standard with AKC... The Maltese is a TOY breed. The Standard calls for the Maltese to be from 4 to 7 pounds with 4-6 pounds preferred to be able to show with AKC. Some Maltese do mature at less than 4 pounds, while others mature at over 7 pounds. Those Maltese that do mature to be less than 4 pounds are referred to as less than standard. Sometimes called tiny, or pocket Maltese. Since tiny or pocket is an adjective (name) given by breeders to describe an extra small dog, there is no universal standard. Each breeder has their own definition of what size a tinny or pocket should be. Foods, Plants, Chemicals, & Household items that are toxic to dogs: As people have become more health conscious, so have they been paying more attention to the health needs of their animals. While natural, fresh food is far healthier than by-products and preservatives, keep in mind that the foods listed below are known to be toxic to dogs because of the different ways animals metabolize them: Chocolate, grapes & raisins, garlic & onions & powders, Macadamia nuts, mushrooms tomatoes and tomato plants, yeast dough, chicken bones. Other foods to avoid: include raw potatoes, turkey skin; nutmeg, caffeine, tea, alcohol, moldy food, automotive products, fertilizers, flea and tick sprays, household cleaners & chemicals, medicines and vitamins can be poisonous to your little Angel. A note of caution: pets, love to chew on plants. Keep poisonous plants away from your pets! Make sure you know the names and toxicity of your plants. Some plants that are known to be very toxic to pets include: apple trees, apricot trees, azaleas, carnation, English ivy, four o’clock, geranium, ivy, lantana, lobelia, lupine, mock orange, morning glory, mountain laurel, oak tree, oleander, peach tree, rhododendron, vinca, and wisteria. These are only some of the plants commonly found around the house or in the yard that are poisonous to pets. your new arrival by doing such things as getting all electrical cords out of your Angel's reach, and covering your electrical We begin the house-training on all our Angels. We start pee pad training as soon as our Angels begin to walk. Our Angels A few of the grooming supplies you will need .
Pin brush: There are two types of pin brushes I like, All Systems and Velluss: Have good deep pins to penetrate a
Maltese coat;
Combs: small & large greyhound, rat-tail”: I use several types of combs; most basic is a Belgium greyhound comb.
Avoid the cheap ones and use the good steel ones, they glide through the hair much better and break less of your Angel’s
coat. I use both a large and a small one of these as well as having a rattail parting comb from the beauty supply;
Slicker brush: All Systems makes the best slicker brushes I have found. I really like the small triangle shaped with a
pointed nose for getting those difficult places like the underarms;
Scissors: A pair of 6-inch straight edge scissors made for dogs or human hair cutting is a good basic scissor; you could
supplement this with a smaller curved blade pair and a longer blade pair;
Nail clippers: There are several varieties of nail clippers but I prefer the guillotine type;
Rubber bands: The rubber bands I use are the small orthodontic types for holding the hair out of the face of the
Maltese. I have found a great site www.dog-bows.com The Finishing touch for your bands, and other products for hair care. that will not tangle in the hair. They are great! Grooming/conditioning spray: A spray bottle can be purchased many different places; place a small amount of conditioner and dilute with water to mist in the coat. I have listed more of the products you will need on the product page.
There are several excellent books that have been written on Maltese and all give more detailed information on coat care and grooming. All Maltese would look best in their long, flowing coat of white hair, but as a pet owner, you may not be willing or have the time to spend keeping the hair clean, brushed and mat free. You do have other options such as a short cut, which can be done periodically by a groomer.
What do I feed My Puppy
The diet of your new Angel is very important. Your Angel should not be changed from the food he/she is familiar with, for at least a month. Then if you must change, do so gradually. A young puppy should never be fed only once each day. They need to have access to dry food 24/7until they are at least six months old, and possibly longer depending upon their size. A tiny puppy cannot store enough energy in its liver for a long period of time, and the extra stress of a new environment adds to this. Regular small meals and much care are needed in caring for a new Angel. Stress, not enough food in take, being chilled, or too much energy output can cause hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. Signs of this can be as mild as sleepiness, a dazed look, and/or staggering, or can be as serious as convulsions, coma and death. Treatment can range from a simple dose of Karo Syrup or honey to an IV of dextrose given by a veterinarian. All puppies need quiet rest time, just like any baby. A nice warm bed or playpen for their quiet time which is free from drafts, food, and water, is needed as well as lots of tender, loving care.
Note: we feed our Little Angel’s Purina Pro Plan small breed chicken and rice. Puppy food.
Is there such a thing as a Teacup Maltese?
Teacup, tea cup, T-cup, Tcup, Micro-mini, Micro tiny, Maltese dogs and puppies
The term "teacup" came about in the mid-1970’s when the breed actually became even more popular than the poodle, which came in three distinct sizes, the Toy, Miniature, and the Standard. Poodle people wanted a known recognized difference between the Toy (smallest) and the very tiny poodles. Therefore, they coined the term "teacup" so everyone would know just how tiny they were (you can set one inside a teacup). All Maltese are Maltese.
Male Versus Female Can you tell the difference?
When trying to decide on a new Maltese companion, many people ask us about the differences between the male and the female Maltese. In our opinion there are no distinct differences that would make one a better pet than the other. Personality wise there are no specific differences between the male and female Maltese. The Maltese breed has such a wonderful, loving, sweet personality that it's difficult to distinguish any differences based on gender alone. There are sometimes subtle differences in personality between litter mates. Actually either sex makes a wonderful pet. The male Maltese is equally as affectionate and loving as the female. Males, many times, get a bad rap, mostly because people do not understand that if neutered at around 5 months, they can have up to a 98% chance to not mark their territory. Marking is a hormonal response which neutering can help to solves. Neutered males get along well together and make great companions with other males, as well as female Maltese. Some people are afraid that a little boy shouldn't wear bows in his hair, but on the contrary.
Male Maltese can and should wear bows, and get all dressed up, just like the ladies. Blue, green, purple, black and red are wonderful colors for boys. In fact many vets, groomers, think that the temperament of the male can be even sweeter than the female. So do not let the male-female issue be the only determining factor in selection. Our references would speak to both male and female being equally wonderful. We personally feel that it is the temperament of the individual dog that is most important, not whether they are male or female (same as people). When looking for the right Angel for you, you should look at the Angel's personality and not its gender. Most of the time people say they want a female Angel because they are convinced that females are “sweet, gentle, affectionate, and easily trained ". They don’t want a male because they think males are “aggressive, wander, are harder to train", and the number one complaint of all: “They lift their legs on the furniture”. The truth is that each Angel has its own personality regardless of gender. It is the personality that you should be focusing on and not the gender. As a matter of fact, that female Angel that pees on your carpet leaves just as big a mess as the male! The right Angel for you will be the right Angel for you regardless of its gender. Keep in mind though, that if you are looking for an Angel of a specific gender and with the right personality you might have to wait for a while to you find the one that fits both criteria. Maltese are especially wonderful in the personality department, males and females alike. I haven't noticed a clear difference based on gender alone. Some of my sweetest, most well mannered, loving Maltese are males. My boys hold a special place in my heart! In addition, both sexes come in the tiny or larger sizes. You honestly would not be able to tell the difference based on the sex of the Angel.
How do I have you hold a puppy for me?
Our Little Angles are beautiful, and we have a waiting list most of the time. Unfortunately, we must work on a "first come, first served" basis. A non-refundable $500 deposit is required to hold an Angel for you. We can hold an Angel for 3 days to allow you time to overnight your deposit. Personal checks are not accepted. We accept Cash, Bank Cashiers Checks, Bank Wire Transfers, or Money Orders.
What can Harm My Puppy?
NOTE: Please make sure you PUPPY PROOF your home before bringing your new Little Angel home. Puppies have a tremendous amount of energy and natural curiosity, and they love to explore the world around them. This is part of what makes them so much fun, but it can also lead them into harmful situations. Before you bring your new puppy home, make sure you survey your home for potential dangers. Emergency - Check-off List for Your Maltese Just as you would if you were bringing a new infant home, you would have everything ready for your new arrival and all your emergency number ready, and on hand. It is wise to do the same for your new Little Angle’s arrival. Help keep your puppy safe from hazardous plant consumption during the summer months when plants and flowers are abundant. National Animal Poison Control Center NAPCC Telephone numbers for the NAPCC are: 1-800-548-2423 and 1-900-680-0000. A wide range of information specific to animal poisoning, not only from plants, but also pesticides, drugs, medications, metals, cleaning products and other poisonous substances. The ASPCANational Animal Poison Control Center hot line numbers are as follows:1-900-443-0000 ($55.00 per case). The charge is billed directly to the caller's phone.1-888-4ANI-HELP or 1-888-426-4435 ($55.00 per case).
The charge is billed to caller's credit card only. If you suspect your puppy has been poisoned, you should call your veterinarian or you can call the NAPCC. Thank you Vera for sending this to me. I hope this will help someone to save there little ones life.
Choking -Airway Aid
A choking dog usually breathes noisily and paws anxiously at its mouth. Its tongue and gums may also turn blue. If your dog shows these signs (not to be confused with the hacking sound of "kennel cough," which is not accompanied by distress):Check your dog's mouth and throat as you elevate its head. If you see an obstruction, remove it with your fingers or kitchen tongs. If you can not see or reach the obstruction, give the dog a few open-handed blows to the neck or back of the head to dislodge the blockage or move it forward. If that is unsuccessful and you can lift your dog, hold it upside down by its hind legs and slap it on the back a few times. If an assistant is available to hold the dog, try the "bellows" approach: push inward firmly on both sides of the rib cage. If you cannot lift your dog, lay it on its side and raise its rear so its head is below its hips. Give the diaphragm (located just behind the rib cage) some quick shoves down and forward. Warning: these first-aid methods may not succeed and entail some risk (such as throat abrasions or bruised ribs). While veterinary care is always advisable, you have only 5 to 10 minutes to clear a completely blocked airway before significant heart and brain damage set in. To prevent airway obstruction, always supervise your dog when it has something in its mouth, and keep it away from objects small enough to lodge in its windpipe.
Guarantee 
We give a written health guarantee on all of our Little Angels. Our Little Angels are thoroughly checked by our veterinarian prior to adoption. We provide you with your Angel's shot records, and general instructions for grooming, feeding, and daily care.
Basic Overview
We want, more than anything for you and your new Angel to be happy and compatible. We love to hear from you, and are here for you 24/7. All you have to do is call or e-mail us,at annalisemaltese@gmail.comor 423-479-2848, and we will help you with any questions you might have.When your new Angel is set to arrive at his/her "forever home", I will provide you with all the necessary information on his/her care. This information will include, but is not limited to, housebreaking,
procuring the best foods, feeding schedule, shot and worming lnfo, precautions and do's and dont's, tearing information and
catalog suggestions for ordering miscellaneous Maltese products. Some of this information is sent to you before your Angel is
set to arrive so you can get ready for him/her. All the information provided with your Angel's arrival is more detailed than is
covered here in "Tips for new Puppy Owners". I also try to send you pictures of your little Angel during his/her growing
stages, so you can watch your Angel grow until it is ready for its "forever home". Sometimes I get busy and cannot always
up-date these pictures as fast as I would like, so please be patient, as I promise you our Angels are worth the wait. Your
Angel is accustomed to being near its mother and litter-mates, so it is important to keep your Angel warm after it arrives
home. Consider placing warm bedding in your Angel's crate so it will not get cold. Keep poisonous substances out of your
Angel's reach, including insecticides, household detergents, and household plants. Some indoor plants such as English Ivy,
Dieffenbachia, Philodendron, and Caladium are poisonous, so do not let your Angel chew on, or play with their leaves. It
would be good to ask your veterinarian for a list of hazardous plants and other toxins. Be sure and prepare your home for
outlets, so your Angel cannot hurt its self, the same way you would prepare your home for an infant child. Provide a quiet
place to feed and house your Angel. It is important to find an area where you’re Angel will feel secure, and that is free from
traffic and drafts. Do not change your Angel’s food without consulting with your veterinarian, and refrain from feeding
him/her table scraps, as this can cause intestinal problems. Initially your Angel needs plenty of rest, so handling and
playtime should be kept to a minimum. If you have children, be sure to instruct them on how to pick up and hold your Angel.
(Any new puppy should never be picked up by its front legs or neck.) Do not let your Angel jump on or off the furniture. They
could really hurt themselves, and even die. Be consistent and patient with your Angel in all of your instructions and handling.
stay with their mothers in the play-pen. When the mothers use the pee pad the Angels always want to see what Mom is
doing, and before you know it the Angels are using the pee pad too. It is important not to give your Angel full range of your
home until they are fully trained as this can interfere with training. A regular schedule of feeding and sleeping helps your Angel in its training. Your Angel has been started in all areas of training before they leave our home to make it easier for their transition to their "forever homes".
It is important to protect your Angel when taking him/her outside. Initial vaccinations will not guarantee that your Angel will be immune from anything, as the entire series of vaccinations must be completed in order to completely protect your Angel from disease. During this time, it is best to keep your Angel away from other animals, groomers, stores, parks and kennels.
Disclaimer. This information should not take the place of the care given to your Little Angel by your veterinarian, nor should it replace your veterinarian's advice. I am not a veterinarian*
I hope the information we have listed will be helpful to you in the care of your Little Angel. This information is only a guide. Consult your veterinarian for advice and professional care.
This information has been compilied by myself and others who have helped me, and sent information to help you to understand the needs, and care of your Little Angel.
