Before You Acquire a Maltese Puppy

There are several key things that should be taken into consideration before you go out and get a Maltese puppy. While they may seem like common sense, they are commonly overlooked in the excitement and worthy of note. If you haven’t acquired your puppy already, be sure to think over the decision carefully. Make sure that the decision to get a new pet is a family decision. A new puppy should never be brought into the home unless everyone in the home is in agreement. Sadly, there are a large number of people in the world who have allergies and have to avoid certain pets; be sure to be considerate and talk it over with everyone first.

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Bringing Your Maltese Puppy Home

So the big day is here and it’s time to bring your Maltese puppy home. Congratulations! By now, the puppy panic might be setting in, but never fear - these important steps and reminders should help to ensure that nothing is forgotten and that the transition should be as easy as possible for both you and your puppy.

Transportation

First, you need to figure out transportation for your Maltese puppy. Please don’t think that you can take a new puppy and just set him down beside you on the car seat, as this can be very dangerous, not only for you but also for the puppy. Remember that this is probably one of his first car rides and he’s bound to be frightened and curious. Leaving him free roam of the car puts him at risk from tumbling off the seats or, worse, crawling under the driver’s legs and risking an accident. Of course, it’s not a good idea to have someone hold your puppy either - remember that, when puppies get scared, it’s not uncommon for them to piddle or get sick to their stomach. For your puppy’s safety, as well as your own, be sure that you have a good quality crate to transport him properly. You'll need a crate for future transportation to the veterinarian, trips, and, if you plan to crate train your puppy, for his "den". Choose a dog crate that will accomodate your Maltese puppy as he grows into adulthood and beyond.

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Veterinary Examination

Before you bring your puppy into your home, you will want to swing by the veterinarian’s office first. While you may be able to tell great deal from your puppy’s appearance, a vet can check him for more serious conditions, as well as administer any vaccinations that your four-legged friend may require. Do this right away, especially if you have other pets in the home.

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Feeding Your Maltese Puppy

Speak with your veterinarian or your Puppy's breeder regarding feeding your puppy; how much should he be eating and how often. Usually puppies are fed twice per day, in the morning and the evening - at the same times each day. It's extremely important to choose a top quality puppy food filled with healthy, natural ingredients, and to stick to the same food at all times. Your veterinarian can recommend a good quality dog food, or you can make your own home-cooked puppy chow.

In the aftermath of the tainted dog food tragedy where thousands of dogs died from toxins in commercially prepared dog and puppy foods, this is something which many dog owners, including myself, have turned to. Making your own dog food is quite simple, reasonably inexpensive, and very rewarding. There are a number of dog food and puppy food recipe books available to help you create your own puppy food, but always check with your veterinarian to ensure that your recipe will provide the nutrition your puppy needs, in the correct ratio. It's a good idea to supplement your puppy's diet with a vitamin supplement if you plan to make homemade food.

Real Food for Dogs: 50 Vet-Approved Recipes to Please the Canine Gastronome

The Good Food Cookbook for Dogs: 50 Home-Cooked Recipes for the Health and Happiness of Your Canine Companion

Barker's Grub : Easy, Wholesome Home-Cooking for Dogs

Water-Purifying Pet Fountain

A supply of clean water should always be available to your puppy. Make sure you keep your puppy's water dish clean and filled, in a place where he can access it when he needs a drink. Be careful to check the water dish several times a day to ensure puppy has not knocked it over (as puppies do!)

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Introducing Your Puppy to Other Family Pets

Once you get home, carry out introductions with any other pets carefully and with constant close supervision. It’s easy for other pets to feel apprehensive or jealous towards the Maltese puppy, so it’s important that you take the time to introduce him to the other pets. Some breeders will even allow you to carry out introductions before you even adopt your new pet, giving you the chance to see how both animals will react together when on neutral ground. This is the ideal way of introducing the two, as it prevents the established pet from feeling that he has to defend his territory, but whether you perform introductions at home or not, be sure to take it slow and be patient. Always praise your existing pet and make just a big a fuss over him as you do the newcomer.

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Puppy Proofing Your Home and Yard

Puppy-proofing your home and yard is also essential. Take the time to get down to Maltese puppy level and look your home over, top to bottom. Tape down any electrical cords to ensure he cannot chew on them or apply a product, such as Bitter Apple, to discourage chewing. Check your home for toxic houseplants and any chemicals that puppies may get into (anti-freeze is especially tasty to pets and very deadly). Also be sure to block off any stairs that a puppy can climb up or tumble down, as Maltese puppies tend to be very clumsy for the first few months of life. Even once your house is puppy-proofed, however, remember that puppies are like children and should have constant supervision. Always be watchful when your Maltese puppy is on the prowl.

And speaking of children, be sure that your children are aware of the do's and don'ts when it comes to handling your Maltese puppy. Many a puppy has been injured by the well-meaning but rough handling inflicted by toddlers and young children. Be sure that your children know that puppy is not a toy, should not be picked up, poked at, hit with toy hammers, put in doll carriages, dropped over stair railings, etc. Let your children play with your puppy only under very close supervision. When you can't watch the interaction closely (ie within 2 inches of the puppy), be sure to confine your puppy - or your kids (just kidding :-) to a crate.

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Housebreaking Your Maltese Puppy

Housebreaking is always a major concern and, in truth, there is only one way to housetrain a puppy: through observation and patience. Puppies are creatures of habit and so, by feeding him at the same time every day and by observing your puppy, you will learn when he needs to be taken outside. Most puppies need to go outside after eating or drinking, when they first wake up from a nap, or right after vigorously playing. Do not yell at your puppy, if he does have an accident, as this just teaches him to be sneaky. Instead, calmly take your puppy outside every two hours and spend time with him, telling him to “go potty,” regularly, until he learns what it is that you expect of him. Read more...

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What Your Maltese Puppy Will Need

Important items to have on hand for your new Maltese puppy should include at least a week’s supply of the food that he was originally being fed at his old home (mix it in with his new food gradually, if you plan to change him over), some teething and chew toys (rubber bones and rope pulls are much safer than rawhide, which is hard for them to digest), and your new puppy should have a crate that is large enough to accommodate him comfortably as an adult dog.

Welcoming an adorable Maltese puppy into your home is an exciting event. If done properly, you and your puppy are sure to make the necessary transitions with ease and will soon be on the path to enjoying a long and happy life together. Hopefully these tips will help keep everyone smiling and tails wagging.

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