Responsibilities Of A Good Maltese Breeder

The following 7 procedures and practices are recommended for breeders in order to help minimize the suffering by both Maltese dogs and their owners stemming from unwise breeding practices.

1. Select a male and female of at least 2 years of age. Both must be free of physical defects and obvious behavioral deficits such as hyperactivity, aggressiveness, shyness, excessive excitability or inhibition, or hyper-reactivity to sound or movements.

2. Examine the parentage and grand-parentage of the male and female for health and behavioral problems. If negative factors are found, do not breed the descendants.

3. Investigate the environmental history of the Maltese male’s and female’s parents and grandparents. Do not breed them if they are from strictly kennel environments or puppy mills.

4. Have blood samples analyzed. This analysis should be performed by a reliable veterinary diagnostic laboratory. The female must not be in estrus at the time of blood testing.

5. Do not breed the female Maltese dog if the blood analysis uncovers any abnormalities.

6. Have the male’s semen analyzed by a qualified veterinary reproduction laboratory.

7. Do not breed the female Maltese dog more than once every 2 years.

These procedures help to assure reputable breeders that they are preventing further spread of heritable problems that may plague their breeds.

Respect Proper Etiquette When Playing At The Maltese Dog Park

Since the dog population has increased in most cities, there are more owners who let their dogs run off leash in the parks. Many non-owners feel they are being crowded out of their favorite areas and, therefore, the police often ticket dog owners for having their dogs off leash. As a concession, many cities have converted small parks into dog parks that are just for dogs, or have fenced off certain areas of public parks - pen areas - where dogs can run free.

When taking your Maltese dog to one of these parks, don’t let him bolt into the park even if he is familiar with the other dogs. Put him in a sit position for a few seconds at a safe distance away from the other dogs and then tap him gently on the back of the head and say, “Go play!” This sets a pattern for release where he learns when he is allowed to leave your side and play with other dogs.

Personally, I like dog parks because they provide a place for dog owners to take their dogs and not disturb others. But I prefer to see the whole city as a playground for my dogs, rather than letting them be outside in only a penned off area. I don’t like to be restricted to a small area. I think a Maltese dog needs to be exposed to many different environments in the city to become well trained.

Respect Other People’s Fear Of Maltese Dogs Through Leash Control

When Maltese owners have poor leash mechanics and control over walking his or her pet, their dog will invariably pull toward strangers. Some strangers are fearful when dogs approach them in this manner. Owners make the mistake of trying to comfort a person who is fearful by saying, “It’s okay, my dog is friendly, she won’t bite.” But this is not a comforting response to someone who is fearful of dogs or just doesn’t like dogs near them. You can make the person feel more comfortable by using your leash to sit your dog at your side and giving the person some space to pass. When a person sees a pulling dog and an owner being pulled off balance, the perception is lack of control.

By having your Maltese dog sit at your side, you are exhibiting to others that your dog is well trained and can be controlled. Senior citizens and parents with kids are generally more apprehensive when dogs pull too close. A pulling dog, especially if it is a big dog, can be seen as aggressive rather than friendly.

Also use this maneuver if your dog is pulling to greet a strange dog. Your dog may be friendly, but never assume a strange dog is friendly. Sometimes the consequences of a dog pulling toward a strange dog can be dangerous if the strange dog is aggressive or has a mean streak.

Be patient with yourself as you learn leash mechanics. Leash handling is like learning to drive a car or playing an instrument - it will feel a little awkward at first, but with a little practice you will improve. When puppies and dogs are out of control when out for a walk, it’s because the owner has no knowledge of leash handling. Use the leash as a tool of communication as you lead your puppy on your walks.

Many owners frustrate or confuse their dogs because of poor leash mechanics. The dog will only do what you are directing him to do. If you don’t know how to maneuver your dog, don’t expect your dog to read your mind. You will only frustrate your dog. Frustrated dogs either become more aggressive or learn to tune you out all together.

Smart leash handling is essential in the city, particularly in tight, congested areas. By learning how to maneuver your dog on leash, you not only keep your Maltese dog safe at your side, but you also are practicing good dog owner etiquette. Your dog won’t be a nuisance to other people and other dogs that you meet along the way.

Removing Maltese Hair From Your Clothes, Bedding, & Drains

1. Maltese Hair On Your Clothes

Keep a roll of masking tape or a sticky roller in your car to remove dog hair after you leave the house. Keep some in your office drawer at work to do the same.

Remove dog hair from your clothing with a dampened rubber glove, sticky roller, or masking tape, or blow it off with a blow-dryer.

2. Maltese dog Hair On Your Bed

When there is dog hair on your bedding, run your bedding through the air-dry or fluff cycle of your dryer to remove hair before putting it in the washing machine.

If some dog hair remains at the bottom of the washing machine after you’ve done your laundry, remove the hair by running the washer through one rinse cycle.

3. dog Hair Clogging Drains

If your dog’s hair accompanies you into the shower and clogs the drain, or your drains run slowly after giving your dog a bath, keep a plunger handy. Plunge after each use to keep the dog hair from severely clogging your drains.

Purchase a mechanical plunger for those hairy pipes. All types of plungers are available in hardware stores and builders’ outlets.

Lastly, be sure to place steel wool in your drain to catch hair.

For Better Maltese Training Results: Understand Your Dog’s Hearing Ability

A Maltese’s keen sensitivity to low-volume sound is often troublesome. They can hear a faint sound at 75 feet, while most humans could only detect it at 17 feet. This indicates that a dog must learn to ignore myriad sounds that do not affect him, and accommodate to a veritable avalanche of sounds in a family household, such as television, radio, stereos, etc.

However, when this sensitivity is translated to phobic behavior relative to, say, thunderstorms, it indicates that dogs may hear the thunder of an approaching storm over 50 miles away, while the sky is still clear. If a dog has a history of becoming upset by thunder or other explosive sounds, he may become increasingly anxious as the storm nears, salivating, pacing, hiding, seeking comfort if the owner is home, or escaping.

This sensitivity may also explain why “desensitizing” techniques, such as playing recordings of thunder at low levels, rarely succeed. Audio speakers are not designed to produce volumes softer than humans can perceive. Also, storm activity is generally preceded by elements to which dogs and some other mammals appear to be sensitive. Merely producing low-volume thunder claps may not fulfill the total stimulus complex required to achieve desensitization.
But such programs are usually more successful with dogs than fear gunshots or other loud noises. However, even with storm phobias, if we can change their emotional interpretation of such stimuli by providing a behavioral example, rehabilitation is generally quite successful.

An important auditory/learning tendency in dogs is to quickly develop a motor movement response to a sound stimulus when the sound is accompanied by a visual signal. In other words, dogs tend to move their head, ears, eyes or other body part in response to sound accompanied by movement. This leads to some problems if owners are not aware of this mechanism, but it facilitates training for those who use it properly.

Two examples typify common problems. The first is the owner’s tendency to raise his hands while telling a jumping dog, “Down!” Raising the hands not only causes reflex movement upward, but also encourages the dog to continue jumping. The usual outcome of this sort of mis-teaching is an owner who resorts to punishment, such as kneeing the dog in the chest or pushing him down, and a fully confused dog.

Effective use of this learning tendency involves moving the hands abruptly down and/or toward the dog while saying “Down.” Even more effective is to apply the movements without speaking, and to praise the dog’s downward response. In this way the situation itself becomes the conditioned stimulus to stop or not start jumping.

The second problem occurs when owners try to teach their pet to “Come” as they lean or move toward the pet. Both movements visually instruct the pet to stay or retreat. Most owners end up approaching the pet and often punishing him, or giving up. A better method is to abruptly lean or move away or crouch down with one side of the body toward the dog and praise the first signs of approach by the dog.

This method facilitates initial learning, even in adult Maltese dogs that are resistant due to improper Maltese training. This type of initial training, in which the dog actively performs the proper motor responses, is much faster than those that force passive movements through physical manipulation by the hands or leashes.

Find Out If Your Maltese Dog Has Allergies Or Hot Spots

Allergies: Unlike humans, the first sign of discomfort usually shown by an allergic Maltese dog is itchy, irritated skin. Some dogs also get a runny nose or eyes, sneeze or even suffer from vomiting and diarrhea. Uncovering the source of the allergy can be quite frustrating for owners and veterinarians alike.

Some Maltese dogs are allergic to components in their diet. A food allergy can emerge early in life; usually the offenders are beef or soy products. The best way to determine if diet is causing an allergic reaction is to feed hypoallergenic food for several weeks and see if the signs regress. To be altogether certain of a food allergy, you’d need to challenge the dog with the prior food and see if the signs recur.

Another common allergic condition is known as atopy. Atopy refers to an inhalant allergy or a reaction to environmental components. Molds, plants, dust, even furniture stuffing fall into this category. Signs of atopy may be seasonal. The only practical way to discover what’s bothering this allergic dog is to ask a veterinary dermatologist to conduct an intradermal skin test, much as is done with human allergy sufferers. Then you can try avoiding offensive material, or attempt hyposensitization. These problems are also best discussed with a qualified dermatologist.

A few comments about some common dog allergies: many dogs are sensitive to flea collars, flea bites or dyes in plastic food dishes. These things are easily identified and corrected. If a flea collar irritates your dog’s neck, remove it and wash the area thoroughly with a mild shampoo. Switch to another type of product. And if your dog’s red, irritated nose is caused by an allergy to dyed plastic by replacing the plastic dish with metal or glass. If it’s an allergy, the condition should be resolved.

Hot Spots: One of the most common summertime complaints seen by veterinarians are hot spots - round hairless patches of tender, red, oozing skin which seem to erupt overnight. They are usually found on the rump, although they may appear anywhere on the body. Hot spots are especially prevalent in heavy-coated breeds and in any dog with skin allergies.

Hot spots probably begin as a focus of irritation caused by a flea bite, impacted anal sacs or other small annoyances. However, the more the dog licks and chews at the spot, the worse it feels, so the more the animal licks and chews. A small problem explodes into a large one. These lesions need to be treated promptly before you have a dog in agony.

Treatment of a hot spot begins with clipping away the surrounding hair and cleaning the surface of the wound. The area is then covered with a soothing spray, liquid or ointment. The veterinarian will attempt to find and eliminate the source of the complaint. Your Maltese may need to wear an Elizabethan collar (a plastic contraption similar to a lampshade) around his neck, to prevent it from attacking the area further, until the skin begins to heal. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed as well.

Find Out About A Great Dog Adoption Alternative: Maltese Breed Rescue Societies

Perhaps you’ve decided that you want to adopt a certain kind of dog that you can’t seem to find in a shelter. Or maybe you just don’t feel quite comfortable adopting from any of the shelters around you. That’s okay; there are other ways to give a good home to a needy dog, like breed rescue societies. It may take a little more innovation to find one of these, but they’re becoming more popular and easier to locate all the time, and they can help match you up with a great pup.

For practically every breed of dog, there is a national breed club with lots of local chapters. And in the last few years, many of those clubs have taken on the challenge of rescuing dogs of their chosen breed from shelters and pounds and placing them into secure adoptive homes. Now there are clubs devoted entirely to breed rescue, and if you’re interested in adopting a purebred, they’re a great resource.

Maltese Breed rescue societies rely on their volunteer members to rescue Maltese dogs from adoption facilities or from people who can’t or shouldn’t keep them. These volunteers, who are usually knowledgeable “dog people” who have experience with dog raising and training in general and the breed in particular, serve as foster parents to the dogs until permanent homes can be found. Ideally, they not only feed and groom and exercise the rescued dogs but also give them some socialization and basic education.

The foster-home system can translate into a big advantage for you when you adopt a dog through a breed rescue program, since your pup will have had at least some experience living in a household and learning rules by the time you get her. She’ll probably have begun to get used to other dogs, too, since most breed rescue volunteers already have dogs of their own. And her “foster parents” will be able to tell you a lot about her personality and her needs, since they’ll have lived with her day and night for some time. So it’s important to adopt from a rescue society whose members you trust and whose foster parents know what they’re doing.

You won’t find a breed rescue society for every single breed of dog in your area; sometimes there’s just not enough demand for one (after all, a Karelian Bear dog Rescue Society in central Texas probably wouldn’t be very busy), and sometimes there’s not enough interest or person-power. But most areas will at least have rescue clubs for the breeds that appear most frequently in animal shelters - that is, the most popular breeds at any given time. (Remember, if you want a dog of a very popular breed, be very patient and judicious in your selection, since popularity usually leads to overbreeding, and overbreeding usually leads to dogs with temperamental and physical problems.)

Female Maltese Dogs In Heat: The 4 Parts Of The Estrous Cycle

Speaking in averages - which Maltese dogs never are any more than their owners - the average small breed first comes into season at about six months and larger breeds usually at ten to fourteen months. Female dogs cycle about every six months. Some, however, come in as often as four times a year, or as seldom as once a year.

Some females can be clocked by the calendar. Others vary widely. The average heat runs twenty-one Maltese days. Some dogs show a bloody flow throughout the season, and others fade to pale pink after ten days. Certain female dogs have to be followed with a mop, others must be tested by flashlight and tissue to ascertain whether they are actually in season. Some keep themselves scrupulously clean; others rise and leave a pool of blood. The safest method of detection is to tissue the dog, particularly if there are males on the premises or a breeding is planned. Watch for enlargement of the vulva, which may precede flow.

Puberty varies due to breed. Small breeds mature sexually earlier than large breeds. Nature has a way of averaging everything. Small breeds reproduce younger and live longer than large breeds - but they also have smaller litters.

The Cycle

The estrous cycle contains four parts: anestrus, proestrus, estrus, and metestrus. Anestrus is the quiet time between heats, lasting three to five months or longer.

Proestrus is the onset of the heat and discharge. The follicles containing the eggs mature over approximately nine days. Most females refuse mating at this time, by whatever methods. Though flirtatious when it comes to actual mating, they discourage males by baring teeth, growling, snapping, and sitting on it. Some eager matrons, however, cooperate at any time. Fertilization cannot occur during proestrus.

During estrus, the female accepts, in fact invites, coitus with a male. The bleeding often decreases and becomes pale in color. The receptive period of four days to a week is when ovulation takes place. Some females become quite shameless and obvious in drawing attention to themselves. They rub against fences separating them from the male, encouraging his advances. They eagerly move (flag) their tails to the side or curl them completely over their backs.

Timeliness can be checked by rubbing the female Maltese just above the root of her tail. If she flags, she is approaching ovulation or rather doesn’t care where or when. Toward the end of the season, the discharge becomes brownish.

Metestrus is the stage that readies the uterus for pregnancy. If fertilization doesn’t occur, this stage soon reverts to anestrus. A prolonged metestrus (called a false pregnancy) is common. If pregnancy exists, metestrus continues until delivery.

A Great Way To Exercise Your Maltese Dog If You Live In The City

As someone who lives in the city, there are many ways to exercise a Maltese dog in your area. Why limit your dog’s exercise just with a walk in your neighborhood? There’s an attitude among some city dwellers that having a dog in the city isn’t fair to the dog. Somehow, there is this myth that dogs are happiest in rural areas where they have plenty of room to roam, or in suburban areas with big backyards.

The city offers many options for exercising your dog. Owners should view the city as a vast playground. Often, it is a matter of using your imagination. One of the best ways to take advantage of your city area is to go running with your dog. When an owner runs with a dog, it is a beautiful thing to watch.

Many breeds of dogs were meant to run. Why not share a runner’s high with your dog? Good advice when running with your dog is to run with him on leash and to observe the rules of the street, of course. I know runners don’t like to stop at street corners with their dogs while they are running, but I hate to see a dog being taught that he can run across the street without stopping and not given the proper cross command. As a runner, you have to stop at street corners with red lights while running in place, so do the same thing whenever you arrive at any given corner.

It is not advisable to take a young Maltese puppy on a run since it will be hard on his hips and his bones are too soft. But when a puppy reaches his ninth month, he should be able to go safely on long runs with you. Check with your vet to find out when your dog is ready to start running with you.

If you run in the park, you don’t have to worry about crossing at different streets. But you will have to teach him to stop at strategic areas along the path, such as cross paths, parking lots and other congested areas. Keep a leash on your dog so that it will be a smoother run. There are too many distractions around, and your run will be interrupted if he starts chasing a squirrel or rabbit.

Running teaches your dog to follow you since he will be running at your side. Your Maltese dog does not have to be at a perfect heel during a run. What you basically want to share with your dog is a good rhythm. If you are using a harness, he can run in front of you.

Running is also great for developing the musculature structure in dogs. Just take care that you don’t run on days that are too hot for your dog. You will also want to inspect his pads after a run since they can take a beating on asphalt.

A Game Your Maltese Dog Will Love: Retrieving-By-Memory

Even if they never go hunting, many Maltese love to learn the tricks of hunting retrievers. A busy hunting retriever may have to remember where several birds fell and bring back every one. Hunters call this marking, but you don’t have to go hunting to enjoy this challenging game.
Warm up with a few throws where your dog can see exactly where the item lands. Then throw the retrieving item so it falls just out of sight, perhaps in tall grass or behind something. Your dog should have no problem finding and retrieving it.

Next, hold him or have him sit and stay until the item has landed before sending him to retrieve it. As he gets better, make him wait slightly longer, up to 30 seconds. Now he is using his memory to find an item he saw land earlier but can’t currently see. But can he find two such items? Probably not at first, unless he can cram them both in his mouth. More likely he will run to one and then take it to the other and either trade items or stand there and wonder what to do. You need to show him how to bring them both back to you, one at a time.

If you used the hallway trick to teach him to fetch, you have a head start. That’s where you sit in the middle of your hallway and throw a toy one way and when he brings it back, you immediately throw another toy the other way. That way he already understands the concept of bringing back something and immediately leaving for something else. But the hallway doesn’t work for big dogs; there’s just not enough room. Besides, you’ll be throwing both items before he brings one back, which makes a big difference. Still, one concept remains: You need to make it impossible for him to get to the second item without going past you first. One easy way to do this is to stand at the corner of your house (or the outside corner of a fenced yard). Another, and more ambitious, way is to divide your backyard almost in half with temporary fencing and stand at one end of the fence.

In either case, you’ll throw one item to one side of the corner or fence, and the other item to the other side. Let your Maltese dog watch both of them land. Send him first to get the item you threw second; this will make it easier for him. Encourage him to bring it back and, once he’s given it to you, turn him to face the other object and send him for it. You may have to run part of the way with him if he seems confused.

As he gets more experienced you can back away from the fence or corner, leaving a gap between it and you. Call him toward you if he forgets and heads directly to the second item without first bringing the first one to you. It may take some practice - nobody said this was easy - but eventually he’ll be able to do this in an open field. And that’s when it’s lots of fun.