Tips for New Puppy Owners

Bringing home your new, fluffy, bundle of joy can be traumatic for both you and your puppy! You may not know what to do just yet, and your Maltese puppy is suddenly confronted with a new place, no litter mates, and no mother for comfort. Here's 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 great resources on the Web, also. Do your research before your puppy arrives, and you'll feel more relaxed. Maltese are very sensitive to emotions. If you are calm and controlled, your puppy will be more relaxed, too.

Prior to your little Maltese angel's arrival, puppy-proof your home by making sure you have removed from the puppy'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 won't recognize the danger. You, the adult, must take steps to make sure your puppy is safe and your personal articles are protected until the rules are established firmly.

Determine a name for your little angel and start calling the puppy by it immediately. Names that are one or two syllables are easiest for both you and your puppy. Names that end in an "o" or an "a" are usually easiest for the puppy to remember. You can call your Maltese puppy anything you like, but when choosing the name to register with the AKC, especially if you are going to take your Maltese into the show ring, you will want to pick an official name more in keeping with the dignified heritage these dogs possess, for that is the name that will be announced as your Maltese enters the ring. While your puppy might answer to "Snookums," the intercom announcer would announce the entrance of something like, "Cahill's Precious Baby Doll," or "Dude's Augustus McCrae."

When you bring your new Maltese puppy home, try not to over-pamper it, especially the first night. Don’t run in and offer comfort or tell the pup to be quiet each time it whimpers or whines. If you do, your pup will learn that crying brings attention. Since Maltese love to sleep with you, if you bring the puppy into your bedroom and your little angel snuggles down and goes to sleep, you will have just established its nightly routine -- whine until the puppy can get into your bed next to you! By the way -- they make excellent warmers as they love to snuggle -- ask other Maltese owners. Most of them will tell you their Maltese shares the bed.

Take your new Maltese puppy to your veterinarian within the first week and take the shot record you received from the breeder with you. Your vet will be able to look your puppy over and establish a vaccination schedule, and your puppy will be able to look the vet over, too! Getting used to the smells and sounds of the vet's office that are not associated with "ouchies" will makes visits there less traumatic.

Give your Maltese puppy plenty of chew toys, and make sure your puppy knows they are acceptable. Socks, shoes, and other human "toys" should be established as "no-no's." Therefore, giving your puppy a chew toy in the shape of a shoe is not a good idea.

Your Maltese puppy will need a spot that is just for the puppy. Your little angel just left the litter mates and its warm, snuggly mom. A small bed that has a warm place to curl up in, and is your baby's alone, should be ready and waiting when you first bring the Maltese puppy home, along with the chew toys. Putting a warm water bottle and a ticking clock in the bed will help ease the transition from the warmth of the litter mates and mom, and the familiar beat of mom's heart. Never use the bed or crate as a punishment place. This should be the puppy's own, safe place.

Feed your puppy the same brand of dog food that the puppy ate while with the breeder. Introduce any new foods gradually, mixed with the old. Having the same food to eat in a new home will help make your Maltese puppy feel "normal" until the puppy gets used to everything. Leave the food out at all times so the puppy can set its own schedule.

Housebreaking has already started when one of Anna's Angels arrives at your home, so start your housebreaking routine immediately to remain consistent. Get a good book on housebreaking, or search the Internet. There are many resources. Housebreaking your Maltese puppy means disciplining yourself! Remember that puppies have to "go" more often than you. Don't use newspaper to paper train; use the ready-made "puppy pads" from the local pet store. They don't smell like newspaper and have a special "puppy scent" that tells the baby this is the place to go. If you use newspaper, the smell printers ink will signal the need to mark the place, and you will find your morning newspaper or magazines left in the puppy's territory marked very judiciously, even after the puppy knows its supposed to "go" outside. Establish an outside routine as quickly as possible, taking the puppy pad outside to help make the transition. If you don't have puppy pads, use a plastic bag covered with a towel, and wash and change the towels when soiled.

Supervise small children with your new Maltese AT ALL TIMES. Maltese puppies have no fear and are good jumpers; they will leap from a child's arms, or can trip up the child, injuring the child and the Maltese. Maltese are small and delicate creatures when they are babies and even at adult size; they just can't take all the rough handling from small children.

Take your puppy for walks. Spend lots of time playing with and loving your new puppy. Taking your Maltese on walks at an early age will help get your angel socialized. Your Maltese needs to get comfortable being around people, other dogs and the outside noises. Establish your grooming routine from the very beginning by handling your baby all over, including inside the mouth and especially the paws. Your new Maltese puppy may not need much grooming right away, but getting the baby used to you handling and grooming now will save you frustration later.

If your Maltese puppy 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 angel home when you can spend a few days with getting used to each other. Make the training sessions short and upbeat. Puppies learn better when they don't have to learn too much at once.

Get your Maltese puppy used to riding in the car early in his life. Maltese love to go "bye-bye" and will get excited to ride with you where ever you go. They are great car companions. Don't let the puppy hang out the window as this can cause eye infections. NEVER, EVER leave the puppy in a hot car, not even for a "minute." These are very small 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 puppy every week, or take lots of video! You will really enjoy seeing your Maltese puppy as a "little squirt" when the puppy reaches full-grown. Pictures are a great way to document the growth and changes. Start your photo album the day the Maltese puppy comes home. All angel puppies purchased from Anna's Heavenly Maltese come with their own photo album containing pictures of them from birth until the time you adopted them. Use this as a foundation for continuing to record your puppy's growth. You'll be so glad you did!

If you've done your research, puppy-proofed your home, assembled the bed, toys and camera or video recorder before you bring your Maltesepuppy home, the rest is common sense. If you have concerns, consult a vet, another Maltese owner (check the chat boards on the Internet), or consult your breeder on what to do. Once thing is known for sure -- you'll LOVE owning a Maltese!