Maltese Growth and Development
Before you bring your puppy home
There
are several things that you can do to prepare for your newest family member. I
use Maltese as a reference, but many of these tips are useful to most breeds.
I usually tell people that getting down on your hands and knees is the best way
to check for hazards to your pup. It gives you a puppies eye view of
the world. Small puppies can fit under couches, and behind almost any
cabinet or
appliance.
Normally
you realize this when you try to catch them. They seem to find your difficulty
reaching them utterly amusing :D
Puppy proofing tips:
Cords and wires:
Puppies will chew on almost
anything when they're teething. Make sure that all electrical cords and wires
are out of their reach. This includes video game wires and controllers.
Vacuum cords are
also a big favorite.
Toys:
If you have children, make sure
that there are no toys on the floor. Watch out for Lego's, building blocks,
Barbie's or anything else that a puppy might find appealing and choke on.
Magnetics are a threat as well. They can cause major intestinal blockage.
Learn the puppy shuffle:
These puppies are very tiny, and
can easily be injured. Kicking, or stepping on a pup accidentally, is a very
easy thing to do. They're also quite playful, and will chase your feet. Many an
owner has been injured whilst trying to avoid stepping on their pup. Until they
learn to walk by your side, and not in front of you, try to slide, or shuffle
around your house. You may feel ridiculous, but it helps avoid an injury to
either you, or your puppy, It's worth it.
The refrigerator door, or any door for that matter:
Get in the habit of looking down
before you close the refrigerator door. There are a lot of intriguing smells in,
and around that area for your puppy. It only takes one mistake to cause brain
damage or even death. Be cautious with all of the doors in your home. Anything
new, is free game to a puppy. They won't hesitate, to go in-between traditional
or sliding glass doors.
Plants:
Make sure, if you have plants
that are low enough to reach, they are not poisonous. Poinsettias are the most
obvious, but common plants such as Aloe Vera, Chrysanthimums and azaleas are
also poisonous. Here's a link to a helpful list
http://www.blankees.com/house/plants/poisonous.htm
Do some research. This not only applies to your house, but your yard as well,
and don't forget about mushrooms.
Your yard: Make sure there are no poisonous chemicals your puppy might find
interesting...Anti freeze, insecticides, fertilizers, bleach, gas, motor oil,
etc.
Fencing:
When my dogs were little they
could slip right through my fence. Mesh, or chicken wire around the base of the
fence, should solve this problem.
Birds and cats:
Maltese puppies are very small, and can be mistaken for a bird, or cat's natural prey. I've heard stories of puppies being taken from yards by hawks and never seen again. Because of their diminutive size, this applies to adult dogs as well.(NEVER LEAVE A PUPPY ALONE IN YOUR YARD!)