The Complete Owner’s Manual to Maltese Dogs. Complete manual for care, costs, feeding, grooming, health and training your Maltese dog.

By George Hoppendale

The Maltese Dogs Complete Owners Manual has the answers you need when researching this toy-sized purebred, bundle of fur with the completely white coat.

Find out whether or not this lively, friendly, playful and cuddly companion canine with the non-shedding silky fur, button nose and dark, expressive eyes will be the perfect choice for you and your family.
Learn everything there is to know, including little known facts and secrets and how to care for every aspect of the Maltese’s life.

This manual contains all the information you need, from birth to the Rainbow Bridge, including transitioning through house breaking, care, feeding, training and end of life, so that you can make a well-informed decision about whether or not the Maltese is the breed for you. If you already have a Maltese, this book will teach you everything you need to know to make your dog a happy dog and to make you a happy dog owner.
The author George Hoppendale is an experienced writer and a true animal lover. He enjoys writing animal books and advising others how to take care of their animals to give them a happy home.

Co-Author Asia Moore is a professional Dog Whisperer, Cynologist and Author, living on Vancouver Island, off the west coast of British Columbia, in Canada, who believes that all humans and dogs can live together in harmony. She and her dog whispering team, which includes an 8-year-old Shih Tzu named Boris, teach dog psychology to humans, to help alleviate problem behaviors that arise between humans and their canine counterparts so that everyone can live a happy and stress-free life together.

Covered in this book:
- Temperament
- Vital statistics
- Before you buy
- Choosing the right dog
- Health
- Daily care
- Feeding
- House training
- Medical care & safety
- Grooming
- Training
- Poisonous Foods & Plants
- Caring for your aging dog
.... and much more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elliott Lang
• Release date: Jul 7, 2015
• ISBN: 9781910941218

Book preview

MALTESE

The Complete Owner’s Manual to Maltese Dogs.

Complete manual for care, costs,

feeding, grooming, health and

training your Maltese dog.

by

George Hoppendale

~~~

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2014 by IMB Publishing

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties.

Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is strictly prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise, including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author.

Published by: IMB Publishing

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

About the Authors

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: The Maltese

1. Maltese

2. History/Origin of the Maltese

3. Maltese Secrets

Chapter 3: Breeding

1. Locating a Reputable Breeder

2. Meet the Parents

3. Questions to Ask a Breeder

Chapter 4: Vital Statistics

1. Country of Origin

2. Litter Size

3. Height and Weight

4. Temperature & Heart Rate

5. Lifespan

6. Intelligence

7. Living Conditions

Chapter 5: Temperament

1. Behavior With Children and Pets

2. Is This Dog an Escape Artist?

Chapter 6: Before You Buy

1. Pros of Maltese Ownership

2. Cons of Maltese Ownership

Chapter 7: Choosing the Right Dog

1. Where to Purchase a US Puppy

2. Where to Purchase a UK Puppy

3. Average Prices for Puppies

4. Avoiding Puppy Mills or Farms

5. How to Choose the Right Puppy

6. How to Check If a Puppy is Healthy

7. One Maltese, or Two?

8. Best Age to Purchase a Puppy

9. Should I Get a Male or Female?

10. The Maltese Shopping List

11. Puppy Proofing Your Home

12. Puppy Hazard Home Inspection

13. First Weeks With Your Puppy

14. Common Mistakes to Avoid

15. Bonding With Your Dog

16. What Does the Wag Mean?

17. What Does the Bark Mean?

Chapter 8: Health Problems

1. Maltese Dog

2. Allergies

3. Canine CPR

Chapter 9: Daily Feeding and Care

1. Feeding Puppies

2. Feeding Adults

3. Treats

4. Treats to Avoid

5. Healthy Treats

6. Choosing the Right Food

7. The Raw Diet

8. The Dehydrated Diet

9. The Kibble Diet

10. The Right Bowl

11. Exercise

12. Playtime

13. Daily Grooming

14. Safe Traveling

Chapter 10: House Training

1. Human Training

2. Bell Training

3. Kennel Training

4. Exercise Pen Training

5. Puppy Apartment™ Training

6. Free Training

7. Mistakes Happen

8. Electronic Training Devices

Chapter 11: Medical Care & Safety

1. Choosing a Veterinarian

2. Neutering and Spaying

3. Why Vaccinate a Puppy?

4. Other Diseases and Viruses

5. Additional Vaccinations

6. When Is a Puppy Vaccinated?

7. De-Worming

8. Special Care When Pregnant

9. Licensing

10. Pet Insurance

11. Identifying and Finding Lost Dogs

12. Yearly Cost of Ownership

Chapter 12: Coat Colors and Types

1. Puppy Coats

2. Adult Coats

3. Defining Features

Chapter 13: Grooming

1. Bath Time

2. Ear Care

3. Eye Care

4. Nail Care

5. Dental Care

6. Skin Care

7. Pest Control

8. Brushing and Combing

9. Equipment Required

10. Products

11. Professional Grooming

Chapter 14: Socializing

1. With Other Dogs and Pets

2. With Other People

3. Within Different Environments

4. Loud Noises

Chapter 15: Training

1. Trainability

2. Puppy Training Basics

3. Beginner Leash Lesson

4. Surviving Adolescence

5. Releasing Energy

6. The Unruly Adolescent

7. Rewarding Unwanted Behavior

8. Back to Basics

9. Sit and More Sit

10. Giving Up is Not an Option

11. Re-visit Basic First Commands

12. Basic Hand Signals

13. Simple Tricks

14. Adult Training

15. Behavioral Issues

16. Overheating

Chapter 16: Poisonous Foods & Plants

1. Poisonous Foods

2. Poisonous Household Plants

3. Poison Proof Your Home

4. Garden Plants

5. Why Does My Dog Eat Grass?

6. Animal Poison Control Centre

Chapter 17: Caring for Aging Dogs

1. What to Be Aware Of

2. How to Make Them Comfortable

3. What is Euthanasia?

4. When to Help a Dog Transition

5. Grieving a Lost Pet

6. The Rainbow Bridge Poem

7. Memorials

Chapter 18: Rescue Organizations

1. Shelters

2. Online Resources

3. Canine Clubs and Breeders

Chapter 19: Resources & References

1. Poison Control

2. Breeders, Registries & Rescues

3. Equipment, Supplies & Services

4. Memorials

About the Authors

George Hoppendale is an experienced writer and a true animal lover. He enjoys writing animal books and advising others how to take care of their animals to give them a happy home.

Asia Moore is an animal lover, professional Dog Whisperer, Cynologist and experienced Author, living on Vancouver Island, off the west coast of British Columbia, in Canada, who believes that all humans and dogs can live together in harmony.

She and her dog whispering detective team, which includes an 8-year-old Shih Tzu named Boris, train humans and rehabilitate canines by teaching dog psychology to human guardians, in order to prevent or help alleviate problem behaviors that arise through common as well as unusual misunderstandings between humans and their canine counterparts so that everyone can live a happy and stress-free life together.

Visit Asia and her dog whispering team online at:

K-9SuperHeroesDogWhispering.com

Chapter 1: Introduction

It’s important to gather as much information as possible before you take the plunge to share your home with a furry friend.

The Ultimate Maltese Dog Manual will answer the questions you may have when researching this toy-sized purebred white-coated canine. If you are considering sharing your home with the active and friendly Maltese, this Manual is for you.

Learn all about this tiny bundle of fur with the black button nose and adorable expression, including facts and secrets, and how to care for every stage of the Maltese’s life.

This book contains all the information you need, from choosing a breeder and finding the perfect puppy to how to care for an aging dog.

As well, you will learn about transitioning through house breaking, adolescence, daily care, health problem inherent in the breed, feeding, grooming, training, first commands and beginner hand signals as well as end of life, so that you can make an educated decision when deciding whether or not the happy, energetic and cuddly Maltese is the breed for you and your family.

As well, this manual contains valuable information, tips and tricks that can easily be applied to any breed of canine.

Chapter 2: The Maltese

The Maltese is a single-coated, non-shedding, small, white, purebred canine that is a member of the Toy category.

Sometimes this breed is referred to as the Toy Maltese, however, strictly speaking, there is no need to refer to this breed as the toy Maltese, because it is already designated as a toy breed of canine.

As well, referring to the Maltese as a teacup Maltese is merely noting that the dog in question is smaller in size than the average toy-sized Maltese.

The lively and playful Maltese has a square configuration, which means that the body is as long as it is tall.

The appearance and size of the Maltese will largely depend upon the appearance and size of both parents.

The Maltese will be friendly high-energy dog that will love to run and play and will excel at whatever activity their guardian has the time to teach, such as advanced Obedience or even Agility.

1. Maltese

The sweet, intelligent Maltese is highly people oriented and believes that everyone they meet is a friend, whether human or otherwise.

The Maltese generally stands between 8 and 10 inches (20.32 and 25.4 centimeters) and will usually weigh between 2 and 8 pounds (907.18 grams and 3 kilograms).

Perhaps the most endearing features of the Maltese are their sweet natures and dark, expressive eyes set against the background of a pure white coat.

Statistics indicate that according to American Kennel Club registrations, the popular Maltese continues to rank highly in popularity, holding the 27th position out of 175 registered breeds.

2. History/Origin of the Maltese

The toy-sized Maltese, like all ancient canine breeds was originally a working dog thought to have descended from a Spitz-type dog that was bred to hunt rodents in wooded or marshy areas.

It is believed that this ancient breed of dog has an especially history spanning more than 8,000 years and there are objects pre-dating Christ that depict the image of this small dog.

Although the exact origins of the Maltese, like many ancient breeds of canines, are debated even today, during the times of Darwin and Aristotle, the tiny Maltese, called canis Melitae, was a lap dog highly favoured by fashionable men and women who carried these small dogs with them everywhere they travelled.

There are many drawing depicting these small, long-haired dogs on both Greek and Roman pottery.

In Egypt, the Maltese was a favoured dog for ladies in harems, and it is suggested that this tiny dog may have been worshipped as they are represented on Egyptian artefacts dated between 600 and 300 B.C.

The Maltese made its way to the United Kingdom during the time of Henry VIII and this tiny dog continued to be a favourite of British queens who were known to highly favour their Maltese pets, who were fed only the finest foods from golden vessels.

It is believed that the dignified bearing of today’s Maltese is largely due to the fact that these toy canines have been lap dogs of cultured and wealthy individuals for many centuries.

The Maltese made their first appearance into the United States of American during the late 1880’s and were popular participants of the early Westminster Kennel Club shows.

During these early years the Maltese were presented with coats that were tan or had a mottled coat pattern while the first Maltese registered (born in 1873) was all white with black ears.

The very first Maltese presented at show was pure white and this has remained the American Kennel Club standard for the breed.

The Maltese was accepted into the American Kennel Club registry as a recognized breed in the year 1888.

3. Maltese Secrets

The Maltese has been a companion dog for more than 2,000 years and has often been called the aristocrat of the canine world.

The elegant Maltese is an ancient breed of dog that was originally called the Canis Melitaeus, which is Latin for miniature dog.

This ancient purebred canine has been given many names over the long course of their history as a treasured companion, including Maltese Lion Dog, Roman Ladies Dog, Bichon, Maltese Terrier, Spaniel Gentle and Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta.

The Maltese was also known as the comforter because of their naturally affectionate and comforting natures.

Although today’s Maltese is a pure white dog, many long years ago the Maltese was bred in different coat colors.

The Maltese has a black nose, which will fade to pink or light brown when living in climates that have dark winter months with little sunlight. This condition is called winter nose and the Maltese nose will often return to the usual black color during months of increased sunshine.

Famous individuals that have chosen to share their lives with the popular Maltese go back a very long time, including:

Roman Emperor Claudius, during 41-54 A.D.

Issa, owned by Publius, Rome's Governor of Malta, during 60 A.D.

A Maltese named Trouble, owned by American businesswoman, Leona Helmsley, was left a $12 million dollar trust fund.

Foxhugh, owned by singer/actor, Elvis Presley

Maf Honey, owned by actress, Marilyn Monroe

Tulea, owned by actress, Jane Fonda

Sugar, Daisy and Delilah, owned by actress, Elizabeth Taylor

Babs, owned by singer/actress, Barbra Streisand

Lacy Loo, owned by singer, Britney Spears

Wolf, owned by entertainer, Ellen DeGeneres

Miss Polly and Little Willie, owned by actress, Halle Berry

Please understand that much of the content written in this book can be applied to EVERY dog, because when it comes right down to it, a dog is a dog no matter what size, shape, colour, price tag or fancy hybrid name we humans might attribute to them.

Every dog has a uniquely wonderful set of gifts to share with their human counterparts, if only us humans would listen.

They tell us when they are unhappy, when they are bored, when they are under-exercised, yet often we do not pay attention, or we just think they are being badly behaved.

Many humans today are deciding to have dogs, instead of children, and then attempting to manipulate their dogs into being small (or large) fur children. This is having a seriously detrimental effect upon the health and behaviour of our canine companions.

In order to be the best guardians for our dogs, we humans need to have a better understanding of what our dogs need from us, rather than what we need from them, so that they can live in safety and harmony within our human environment.

Sadly, many of us humans are not well equipped to give our dogs what they really need and that is why there are so many homeless, abandoned and frustrated dogs.

As a professional dog whisperer who is challenged with the task of finding amicable solutions for canine/human relationships that have gone bad, once the humans understand what needs to be changed, almost every stressful canine/human relationship can be turned into a happy, forever after.

The sad part is that many humans are simply not willing to do the work and devote the time necessary to ensuring that their dog’s needs are met.

Almost all canine problems are a direct result of ignorance or unwillingness on the part of the canine guardian to learn what the dog truly needs. Forget about the breed for the moment, because what the dog needs to be a happy and well-balanced family member has nothing to do with size, shape, colour or breed.

First and foremost, our dogs need to be respected for their unique canine qualities.

For millennia, dog has been considered Man’s best friend, and in today’s society, when we want to do the best by our canine companions and create a harmonious relationship, we humans need to spend more time receiving the proper training so that we humans can learn how Man can be dog’s best friend.

A Maltese is a dog and therefore can be Man’s best friend providing that the human guardian gains the knowledge they need in order to create a happy environment for the dog.

That’s the biggest secret because if the human treats the dog well and understands what the dog needs, the dog will be happy and the owner will be happy. This is a universal truth that applies to any dog, whether a Maltese or any other breed.

For example, it is not possible to write a book specifically about How to train a Maltese or specifically about what The first few days with your Maltese will entail, etc., as while basic training techniques apply to every dog, every dog and every human/dog relationship will be unique.

For this reason, when referring to daily feeding, care, house training, behavioural training, socializing, etc., these chapters are not written to apply specifically to the Maltese breed, as this information can be applied equally successfully to any dog.

What we humans need to remember is that it is absolutely true that With the proper training, Man can learn to be dog’s best friend.

Chapter 3: Breeding

1. Locating a Reputable Breeder

NOTE: this chapter is not about how to breed the Maltese, rather it is all about how to care for each stage of the dog’s life.

Although a good breeder cannot guarantee the lifelong health of any puppy, they should easily be able to provide a prospective Maltese guardian with plenty of information about the health of the puppy’s parents.

Prospective guardians should definitely ask the breeder what sort of health tests have been carried out on the parents of a puppy they may be considering purchasing. For instance, a reputable breeder will have had their breeding dogs tested for hip, thyroid, eye or other problems inherent in the breed and prospective puppy purchasers should always inquire about possible congenital problems the parents or grandparents of the puppy might have, including any premature deaths.

2. Meet the Parents

Reviews for The Complete Owner’s Manual to Maltese Dogs. Complete manual for care, costs, feeding, grooming, health and training your Maltese dog.

[zozef pre · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is Exactly what the title says, a complete guide for our new born maltese puppy!