Playing it Safe with a Maltese

All Maltese dogs are very playful and of course cute. They are members of a breed of little pooches, some actually weighing less than 3 pounds. Because of their small build, it has been a popular choice among pet owners worldwide, especially those with taste for indoor living. It is ideal for apartments and many types of little houses. They also don't take up much space and don't need much grooming, unless you plan on entering a dog show. Indoor living pets need extra care, the Maltese is no exception to the rule. It's very fragile and can easily get hurt. nnTiny bones can easily be broken. An injured pet of course cannot be left unattended, and many don't have the skills needed to fix an injured pooch, so it's best a veterinarian takes a look at it. We all know how expensive that could be, that's why we have to take the necessary safety precautions. The 3 most common ways that a Maltese can get hurt is through fighting (with other animals), your reckless children (if any), and itself – all of which can be remedied through proper raising. This is a small pet but can be snappish and may not get along very well with all dogs it meets. nnWhen that happens, things can get ugly and you can bet that your Maltese will be taking most of the damage done. You as the owner wouldn't want that to happen so the problem has to be addressed before it even takes place. If you're planning of getting a pooch of this breed get it when it's still young. Let it socialize well with other dogs as well as humans, so it won't be surprised when it sees behavior that it isn't familiar with. Being unfamiliar with something is a dangerous thing; it's what causes them to misinterpret the actions of others. nnChildren can untowardly hurt the pooch with ease. Sitting on it, hugging it too tight, or stepping on it can crack bones. Education can easily solve the problem of ignorance. The kids should be taught the proper way of handling the dog. In some way, you are training them. Let them know what things not to do and explain why. Set rules for them to follow, such as no running around in the house near the Maltese, or no tossing it around like they would with their toys. Aside from fighting, this pet can get hurt by wandering in places it shouldn't be. nnAn example would be the dog walking across the street unsupervised with cars passing by. Or walking out into an open crowd of people. Another would be walking off high places or onto sharp objects. This is uncommon, but it's still possible. To deal with that discipline the dog, let it know where it shouldn't be going. This can be very hard too teach and will take time so you may opt to have it on a leash and collar when outdoors in the meantime. Having it under your eye most of the time will keep it out of trouble and mischief. nnPatience, perseverance, and love will take you and your pet a long way.