Groom a Three Month Old Maltese Puppy
The distinctive Maltese breed is known for its silky white coat and intelligent manner. The dogs are trusting, amiable and well-mannered, making them an ideal family pet. Raising a puppy can be rewarding and exciting, but Maltese owners must apply ample time to grooming. A clean, well-groomed puppy will be happier and healthier, saving the Maltese owner time and money throughout the course of the dog's life. Groom the Maltese puppy regularly to keep her looking her best.
Instructions
1. Remove any mats from the Maltese puppy's fur. Gently work through them with a soft brush. If necessary, use a detangler to help loosen the mat until it can be brushed free.
2. Clean the puppy's ears. The Maltese breed is more prone to ear infections since it is a drop-ear breed and dead hair can build up in the ear. Remove excess hair from the ears by dipping two fingers in baking soda and then use the fingers to gently brush out the excess hair. The baking soda attracts dead hair, allowing the ear canal to better circulate air and prevent infections. After removing the hair, squirt a few drops of ear cleaner into the ear canal and dry with a cotton ball.
3. Use a tear-stain remover to remove any discoloration below the Maltese puppy's eyes. Because most Maltese have a light coat, tears stains will be more apparent.
4. Bathe the Maltese puppy with a mild canine cleanser. Work the cleanser into a lather and wash all parts of the puppy, including the anal area and in between the paws. After thoroughly rinsing out the cleanser, apply a conditioner or detangler to keep the coat soft and tangle-free.
5. Use a hair dryer on a low setting to dry the puppy. Angle the dryer in the opposite direction of the fur to remove all dampness; not drying the puppy thoroughly can lead to odors.
6. Part the Maltese puppy's hair down the center of its back to achieve a traditional look for the breed. Use a metal-tooth comb to achieve a straight part.
7. Cut the puppy's nails to prevent overgrowth and curling. As the nails will be soft from bathing, this can be achieved by using a small nail clipper and nail file. Cut the nails down to directly above the quick, the dark area underneath the nail.
8. Clip excess hair in between the Maltese puppy's toes. Excess hair can lead the puppy to overcompensate its stride and can lead to poor muscle development.
Tags: Maltese puppy, excess hair, baking soda, dead hair, Groom Three, Groom Three Month, Maltese breed