Grooming Your Maltese

Text and pictures are taken mostly from the book "Maltese" by Joe Fulda

    Sooner Or later, you are going to be faced with the task of taking care of the
glorious coat of your Maltese.  The coat of the adult Maltese requires daily care if
it is to remain mat-free and glossy.  Your puppy can be taught from a very early age
to lie on their sides and allow you to brush and comb it's hair. The sooner you
begin training for the grooming the easier it will be to maintain you dogs
beautiful coat.  Grooming time can become an enjoyable time of the day for your
dog  and  you.  The following are a few tips in grooming your dog.

When combing a puppy's hair, have the puppy lay on it's side.

Brushing The Coat:
     Your dog will enjoy and even look forward to brushing time because
that is a time it can interact with the person or people it loves.  Be sure to
make it a pleasant time.
     This is a procedure you should do daily with your Maltese, and always
before bathing.
      Because of the nature of the Maltese coat, a spray bottle filled with
water comes in handy.   If you spray a fine mist on the coat before
brushing each layer it make the task much easier.
     Start at the legs and tail because these areas are less sensitive. 
Continue talking to the dog to reassure it.  Praise is a great training
aid. After brushing, continue the procedure with the comb. Now
you are ready for the coat.  For best results, layer the coat.  That is, part
the hair at the skin, and brush only that section that is exposed.  Then
comb it.  Part the hair again and repeat the procedure until  you have
brushed and combed the entire coat.  Now have your dog stand facing you
and brush the top of it's head.  Part the hair in the middle of  the skull to
the tip of it's nose.  No firmly gather the hair and make a  loop, folding
the hair backwards, away from the eyes.  Then, using a  small latex
rubber band, secure the fold to make a Maltese topknot. (To find out more
on how to make topknots click here.)  Repeat the  procedure for the
opposite side of the head.  Brush and comb the chest hair, then down the
legs and between the legs.  Brush and comb the tail.
Now if it is bath time, your dog is ready.

Wet the hair with a fine mist.  Brush the hair  in layers.

Bathing Your Pet:
     A jet of water coming out of a faucet or spray nozzle can be frightening
to a young puppy.  Start puppies off by merely introducing them to water.  Sprays can come later.
     Use no-tears pet shampoos to protect it's eyes.   Use tepid (lukewarm)
water. 
     Wet the dog and then apply a ring of shampoo around the dog's neck
and ears area, then lather.  Work in the shampoo, moving towards the rear
and applying more shampoo as needed.   As you lather, pay particular
attention to the tummy, private parts, and the feet.  Besure to work the
lather between the pads of the foot.   When the dog's main body is
throughly lathered, use a washcloth or small sponge to wet and wash your
dog's face.
     The most important part of the bath is the rinsing.  To avoid serious
skin or coat problems, never leave shampoo or shampoo residue on the
dog.  Rinse the dog  two or three times.  Watch the rinse water carefully,
and if it still runs a little cloudy, rinse again.
     Now it is time to apply a cream rinse.  Apply the rinse generously and
work it into the coat, allow it a few minutes to set up, then rinse it out.

Make sure you rinse the dog thoroughly to avoid skin and coat problems

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    Excellent Groomers in Utah County
Gina's Pampered Pets-Pleasant Grove, Utah
Shear Elegance Pet Salon- Orem, Utah
All About Pets- Provo, Utah
Petsmart-Orem, Utah

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