What to Do After Your Puppy Arrives?

1. Schedule a Vet Visit:

• We strongly recommend taking your puppy to the vet for a check-up within 3 to 10 days after arrival. This allows your puppy time to adjust to their new environment and ensures they are healthy.

• Minimizing stress is crucial, as it is a major factor in puppy health issues. If your puppy isn't eating, seems unwell, or isn't behaving normally, take them to the vet immediately.

• Early vet visits benefit everyone involved. If your puppy is sick, treatment can begin right away. If healthy, the vet will establish a health baseline for future visits. You, as the owner, gain peace of mind knowing your puppy is healthy, and if there’s an issue, you can activate the health guarantee.

• The breeder also benefits by having a satisfied customer, and in case of health concerns, can address them promptly. While we never sell unhealthy puppies, certain congenital defects may not show up immediately, so a vet visit helps ensure clarity on your puppy’s health history.

2. Understanding Your Puppy’s Daily Routine:

• By 6 weeks of age, your puppy has established a daily routine. Understanding their previous schedule will help ease their transition into your home.

• At this age, your puppy should still be sleeping around 18 hours per day. Lack of sufficient rest can impact their health and development.

• Morning Routine (7:00 am – 7:30 am): Your puppy will be ready to start the day when you do. They’ll have breakfast, fresh water, and a clean playpen/kennel.

• Playtime & Potty Breaks (7:30 am – 9:30 am): After breakfast, they’ll need to potty and will enjoy free play in a safe area.

• Mid-morning Nap (9:30 am – 12:00 pm): After some energy exertion, your puppy will need a nap in their crate.

• Lunch & Afternoon Play (12:00 pm – 2:30 pm): After a lunch break, they’ll need another round of potty and playtime.

• Evening Routine (5:30 pm – 6:00 pm): Dinner is typically served at this time, with fresh water available.

• Nighttime & Bedtime (8:00 pm – 10:00 pm): After playtime, snuggle time is perfect before they wind down for bed.

3. Playtime & Interaction:

• Puppies love to play, but it’s important to supervise them, especially around small children. Play is great, but avoid overly aggressive games like tug-of-war. Instead, encourage fetch or simple obedience training like "sit" and "stay" to foster a well-behaved pup.

• Puppies need lots of rest, so don’t interrupt their nap time for play. If they get too tired, it may affect their appetite and health.

4. Feeding Your Puppy:

• Puppies, especially in their first few months, need to be fed three times a day. We recommend continuing with the same food they’ve been eating for consistency. Royal Canin Medium Starter is highly recommended.

• Always provide fresh water and follow the feeding guidelines based on your puppy's size and growth. Your vet can help adjust feeding based on your puppy’s needs.

5. Spaying/Neutering Policy:

• We require that all puppies be spayed or neutered by the time they reach one year of age. Proof of the procedure must be provided by 13 months. This helps prevent health issues and is in the best interest of the dog.

• If you plan to breed your puppy later, we can assist with full registration.

6. What If I Can’t Keep My Puppy?

• If you’re no longer able to care for your puppy, we’ll gladly help with rehoming. We want to ensure that our puppies always have a loving home.

7. Health Guarantee:

• Our puppies come with a one-year health guarantee. If your puppy is diagnosed with a life-threatening condition within the first 4-10 days, you can return them for a full refund. For congenital issues that develop within the first year, we offer a replacement puppy.

• To maintain the validity of the health guarantee, we ask for regular updates and pictures every 6 months.

8. Visitors & Socialization:

• Due to the threat of diseases like Parvo, we do not allow visitors unless they are picking up their puppy or have already made a reservation. We take every precaution to protect our puppies and their health. However, we’re happy to provide photos and videos of the puppies in their environment.

9. Puppy Temperament:

• Maltese are affectionate, kind, and gentle. They are adaptable to various lifestyles and are fantastic with children and other pets. Socialization is important to ensure a friendly and confident puppy.

• They love companionship and will follow you around, seeking affection and attention.

10. Gender: Male vs. Female:

• There’s no significant difference in temperament between male and female Maltese. Both genders can make excellent pets. The primary difference is that males tend to be slightly larger and more affectionate, while females are a bit smaller and more independent.

11. Vaccinations & Health:

• Your puppy will receive age-appropriate vaccinations. Please make sure to continue the vaccination series as recommended by your vet. It’s important to avoid public spaces, like dog parks, until your puppy is fully immunized.

12. Genetic Testing & Health Screening:

• We screen our puppies for genetic conditions to ensure they are healthy and free of common breed-specific health issues. Responsible breeding is our priority, and we aim to provide the healthiest possible puppies.

13. AKC Registration:

• Our puppies are sold with limited AKC registration, meaning they are intended as pets and should not be bred. Full AKC registration is available for approved breeders.

14. Tear Stains:

• Maltese are prone to tear stains, but regular cleaning with a warm washcloth can help minimize them. Ensure there are no underlying health issues causing excessive tear production.

15. Puppy Biting:

• If your puppy starts biting, immediately stop playtime and redirect them to an appropriate toy. Consistency is key to discouraging biting and promoting good behavior.