PetMaltipoo Q&A Blog

Post # 26 - Maltipoo Won't Stop Chewing Things

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 19:58:39 GMT

What to do if a Maltipoo is chewing things and deterrent spray does not work

Question:

My female Maltipoo is one year old and she still wants to chew most of the time especially the wicker chair! I have tried using sprays to deter her from chewing but nothing seems to bother her. She has one sometimes two walks daily. Many different toys and quite a lot of attention.
Please can you give any advice.

Julie

Answer:

Hi Julie; What a great question; this is certainly something that you'll want to get under control, since chewing can so quickly become a terrible habit, and it will get harder each day to control this.

At 1 year old, we can rule out chewing due to teething, however dogs of any age can have very strong chewing urges. And as you've explained, this can lead to chewing on furniture or just about anything that is within reach.

Here are some tips. Please keep in mind, that while some may seem very obvious, many owners have not implemented these steps to stop chewing, so it is important to follow as many as you can:

1 . The #1 most important step to stop destructive chewing is to limit access to the objects. If a Maltipoo were chewing on shoes, pocket books and other objects, of course these would need to be placed up high onto shelves or other areas where the dog cannot reach (removing the object from the dog's reach).

In the case of furniture, of course, this cannot be done. So, you must do the other option, which is to remove the dog from the object. It's really key to note that a dog that has any sort of behavior that is out of control (peeing inside, chewing on things, etc.) should not have free reign of the house. Just this one element alone will resolve the issue.

We always highly recommend obtaining a quality canine indoor pen or alternatively, using gates to keep a Maltipoo in one room. Your dog can learn to be very happy in his area, it will have everything that he needs: quality bed, food, water and toys. And of course, when you are home and can supervise your Maltipoo, he can stay right by your side (keep him on leash if you must) so that he can be stopped before he heads off to chew on something.

2. Though you did say that you have used some deterrent sprays, it is true that not all sprays work for all dogs. One may work great for one Maltipoo while another dog may not mind the taste at all. Using the method of limiting your dog's access to furniture that he likes to chew on should take care of things; however, for other Maltipoo owners reading this, we wanted to point out that apple bitter spray does work effectively for about 50% of all dogs.

3. Though you have mentioned that your Maltipoo has plenty of toys, it is important to reassess toys as a dog matures. What may have met his needs a few months ago as he was coming out of the teething phase may not be what he needs now. Maybe now, he'd appreciate toys that call out to him (animal noises, voices, etc.) or toys that challenge him to do some work to release treats, etc. It may also be a matter of offering a more durable texture that really works his jaws that perhaps current, softer toys are not offering.

Therefore, looking over toys every 3 months or so and being sure that a Maltipoo's toy collection is meeting his needs , is a great way to ensure that he does not go elsewhere either due to chewing urges or due to boredom.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

Post #27 Maltipoo is Always Hungry

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 19:58:38 GMT

A 13 pound Maltipoo seems to always be hungry, owner looking for some tips

Question:

I have a 13 year old Maltipoo that never is food satisfied. He weighs 13 pounds and we don’t (vet also) want him to gain any more weight. I feed him one heaping tablespoon of high quality wet food and one cup of dry PER DAY, split into 2 meals. His favorite treats are carrots...thank God…. Is it common for a Maltipoo to be so into food?

Answer:

Well, a few things come to mind. We're curious which brand of food you feed him, since 1 cup per day is not that much food for a Maltipoo of this size.

The next element that plays into this, and is applicable to so many dogs that eat but still always seem hungry, is fillers. Fillers are the culprit almost all of the time for a dog acting hungry all the time, if health issues are ruled out.

A whole slew of dog food companies, in an effort to save money, add cheap fillers to their dog food. These are cheap ingredients like corn husks, beet pulps, cottonseed hulls, peanut hulls, citrus pulp and believe it or not, even feathers. Their purpose is to plump up the food to make it appear as if there is a lot. But, in fact, these fillers contain no nutrients at all. They pass right through the body, offering nothing.

So, when a dog eats a meal that contains these sub-par ingredients, he may feel full just for a very little while, since they do enter the stomach, but then he will be hungry again very soon, since his body received far less real food than an owner believed.

For this reason, we'd highly suggest reassessing which brand you are giving to him. You may be surprised to learn that some well known brands such as Cesar entrees are a less-than stellar at just 2 or 3 stars. For feeding a Maltipoo , either puppy or adult, we recommend Orijen (5 stars) or home cooking.

This all said, if your Maltipoo is indeed eating a high quality, 5 star food and is frantically hungry, this is something that the vet should be investigating, if he has not already.

Another possibility is that your Maltipoo may be begging for food due to habit. Some types of begging behaviors are so ingrained that a dog will beg mercilessly, even if he really doesn't want the end result; he just doesn't know what else to do.

If you feel that this may be the root cause of your Maltipoo appearing to always be hungry, you'll want to do 2 things: 1) Ignore the begging so that he learns that it never leads to a beneficial conclusion and 2) try your best to keep him busy with other things. This may include more walks, new toys , puzzle toys to play alongside him, turning on some lively music for him to listen to, learning a new command, etc.

The more he stays busy (and satisfied) with life outside of food, the less he will act as if he is obsessed with food.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

Does your Maltipoo seem hungry after he eats? Do you give into begging or do you hold your ground? Leave your comments below.

Post #28 Maltipoo Ringing Bells for Bathroom, Not Loud Enough

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 19:58:37 GMT

An owner has taught her Maltipoo to ring bells when she has to go out, but the bells are not loud enough

Question:

We had a system of bells beside our patio door for our Maltipoo to nudge when she wanted to do her business, bought from a pet store. It worked for several months. The only problem is sometimes we in the house out of listening range. We cannot be at the patio door all day to hear the bells. Frequently, we do not hear them and she goes on the wooden floor in the living room. We take her out three times a day so it is not for want of exercise.

Any suggestions on how to make the bells louder? Does anyone have a fixed electric bell and trained the dog to nudge the bell? Or how do we make her bark at the door? Any help?

Judy

Answer:

It's really great that you were able to teach your Maltipoo to ring a bell when she has to go outside to the bathroom, so great job on that!

In regard to your question, this is indeed a tricky one! A few things that come to mind are:

1) Add more bells to the bell system that you have now; the more bells, the more noise

2) Set up a baby monitor by the bells (you would set up the transmitter part there) and bring the receiver with you (it can be set down in whichever room you are in). In general, baby monitors have a range of about 90 feet and through 5 walls. Some that are priced more expensively can reach hundreds of feet and can be used with up to 9 walls from point A to point B.

This way, as long as you remember to keep the receiver in whichever room you happen to be in, you will be able to hear your Maltipoo ringing those bells to go out.

While she has had some setbacks as you explained, for those times that you did not reach her in time, just the fact that she stills rings the bells when she has a bathroom need is an encouraging sign that her training is still intact.

We would suggest however, to get this back to 100%, to encourage her to ring the bells right before you take her out those 3 times a day that are scheduled. This will help reinforce her training that the bell equals going outside.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

It's pretty great that this Maltipoo has learned such a great signaling system to announce her bathroom needs! Do you have a comment aboutg this or any other suggests to improve the sound level of the bells? Please leave your comments below!

Post #29 Maltipoo Acting Afraid with Cause Unknown

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 19:58:36 GMT

An owner is concerned about her Maltipoo acting afraid, but the cause is not known

Question:

My Maltipoo did something that caused me to be concerned. Within about a weeks’ time (or two weeks’ time) this happened to her three times. She was simply sitting close by and let out a yelp like something hurt her.

She acted very scared and ran, eventually coming to me with her ears down and a very scared look on her face. She hid by my feet and was trembling. Another time she was sitting close by while I was washing dishes. She saw sometime that scared her and watched it intently. It seemed to be her height. She got up quickly, clearly scared, backed up and eventually settled herself between my feet and the cabinet. She was trembling.

I picked her up and held her but when I went to put her down she was clinging to me and did not want to be put down. It was just weird. On all of these instances we were home alone. There was no other noise such as a radio or television. She is not a scary cat and has not acted like this prior or since.

Thank you, Sherry

Answer:

Hi Sherry,

We appreciate your question because this is actually very common with so many dogs and it really does leave owners scratching their heads. It’s almost as if our dogs can be scared of things that they see that we cannot; and it can be kind of scary for owners as well.

However, the answer may put your mind at rest, since technically, a dog does indeed sense things that are not there, but not in the way some may assume.

If a dog suddenly acts afraid of a certain room , that is a different story due to a range of factors including an unseen tumble or even new objects in the room. But with this, it is most often explained via a Maltipoo’s incredible sense of hearing and scent.

Dogs sense a wide array of things that we cannot with their amazing hearing. So, while we may be sitting in what seems like a quiet room, all sorts of sounds are being picked up by our Maltipoos. As like all other breeds, they have 18 ear muscles to control ear positioning as opposed to our 6, they can hear 4 times the distance we can and can pick up sounds on frequencies that we simply cannot (67 to 45,000 Hz compared to our limited 64 to 23,000 Hz).

Dogs almost never experience ‘quietness’.

In addition, canines can pick up odors from a very far distance. Did you know that males can smell female dogs in heat for up to 3 miles away?

Some reasons for a Maltipoo barking at seemingly nothing or following an unseen object can be a bird, squirrel or another animal that is outside the house, on the outside wall or on the roof. We've heard of this behavior quite a bit and in some instances, it turned out to be a mouse or chipmunk in the wall. The quick movement of the animal can make a dog startle, nervous or afraid.

Other possibilities are far away sirens, alarms, whistles or other noises that we cannot hear but can rile up a dog; a Maltipoo may cock their head or change positioning in order to better focus in on where the noise is coming from.

What you can do when your Maltipoo acts this way is to know that when a dog is not sure how to respond to something or automatically becomes scared, how the owner acts will help him form his opinion. These sorts of disturbances can be perceived by a dog as an intrusion into the home or a danger to his humans and/or his territory.

So, you will want to do 2 things if you are not doing this already: 1) do not speak in a soothing manner since this can reinforce the idea that a dog is correct to feel afraid and 2) act in a matter-of-fact manner to show that there is nothing to be overly concerned about.

It can also help to make sure that a Maltipoo understand that they do indeed have a safe place to retreat to, should things seem overwhelming. This includes any elements such as too many visitors to the house, etc.

This all said, it must be noted that yelping quickly as you described could be related to some sort of physical injury or illness. Just one example is patella luxation, in which if a dog turns the wrong way the kneecap can slip to cause him to let out a yelp; then he goes back to acting normal. So, if the yelping does not improve, do have the veterinarian perform an examination.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,
The PetMaltipoo Team

Has your Maltipoo ever acted afraid of something that you couldn't see or sense? Did you ever find out what it was? Leave your comments below!

Post #25 Maltipoo is Peeing and Pooing on Bed

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 20:45:17 GMT

A reader's daughter's Maltipoo is going to the bathroom all over the bed & sofa

Question:

Hello my name is Gayle and My daughter has a Maltipoo that has begun to pee on top of bed covers, on the couch and has even pooped on the bed covers as well, what can we do to stop this behavior? Thank you.

Answer:

Hi Gayle, since the accidents on the bed involve both peeing and pooing, marking issues can be ruled out and most likely health issues as well. And while you didn't mention it, many owners assume that if a dog pees or poos on the owner's bed that this is somehow a personal sign of disrespect (but dogs are not capable of scheming such a thing). So, this is indeed 100% a housebreaking issue with this Maltipoo.

There are 3 main elements that will resolve this:

1) Until a Maltipoo of any age has proven himself, he should not have access to an owner's bed or have free reign in the house that would allow him to pee and poo on the sofa. While 'don't have him on the bed' seems like a simple answer to the fact that he's peeing and poo'ing on the bed, it essentially does boil down to that. At least for this first piece of advice. When you are home with him and can watch him, he should be tethered to you via a leash connect to his harness with the other end through a belt loop or over your wrist. When home and you cannot watch him and for when he's home alone, he should be in a gated off area or canine playpen.

This alone resolves the immediate issue of this Maltipoo going to the bathroom on the bed and sofa; however, other steps need to be taken as well; namely, starting with housebreaking from scratch.

2) Follow all housebreaking guidelines . This includes a designated bathroom area, taking him out at the appropriate times, and rewarding when he 'does the deed'.

3) While we are certain that you've washed all of the bedding in hot water, be sure to use a quality enzyme spray for urine that undoubtedly soaked through the mattress and the sofa. Even if you do not smell anything, lingering odors that a dog can detect essentially yell out "This bed is the bathroom area!". So, ensuring that those areas are wiped of these odors is an important part of starting fresh.
Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

Has your Maltipoo ever had a phase of peeing or pooing on your bed? If so, how did you resolve the issue? Leave your comment below.

Post #24 Maltipoo is Acting Afraid of Rooms

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 20:45:14 GMT

Owner is concerned about odd behavior of being hesitant, scared to walk into certain rooms

Question:

I have a 6 year old Maltipoo (Kaci) who has been showing some weird behavior. When I first got her 2 months ago, she would go down stairs to basement and back up alone, and go to dining room down a one step without any issues. Several weeks after we got her, she would not go to the basement. Now more recently, she will not go to the addition. I thought she might have walked around while we were sleeping and maybe slid or got startled due to her nails. I had her nails checked and clipped although they were not too long. She'll go to dining room on a leash a little hesitant, but after a few tries , she does it. I don't understand this. If she does go to dining room, she won't go out and sits there shaking tremendously. What could cause this? What else can , I do to make her feel less scared and more confident? Also she makes gagging noises as if she had a fur ball stuck in her throat, but does not cough up anything...

Thank you for your attention, Rose

Answer:

Hi Rose. A Maltipoo being so hesitant to enter into certain rooms in the house is indeed peculiar behavior. You did the right thing by having her nails checked and trimmer. And we, as well, at first glance, thought that maybe something had startled her. However, in thinking about this, we see that the two rooms do have something in common: Steps. Granted, when your Maltipoo goes to the basement this is a lot of steps and the dining room is only one; however that seems to be the common factor here.

This would lead us to believe that this has something to do with the steps. It could be that she fell going down the basement stairs and that experience has scared her so much that she is now understandably hesitant. If so, this would resolve itself, the more times she experiences the steps without issue.

This said, refusal to leave the dining room and shaking a lot does not really play into this theory. Shaking may be due to being very afraid or very cold. One would assume that being former is the obvious answer; though the latter cannot be ruled out.

While it may be impossible to know what is scaring her to this degree, trying to make her more confident is indeed the right call. We'd suggest making the dining room the funnest room in the house. Get her a some great new toys and some tasty treats, sit down on the floor in there and see if you can engage her. Don't be overly soothing; you'll want to act in a matter-of-fact manner.

Do please let us know if things gradually improve with this.

In regard to the gagging, though this could be reverse sneezing (harmless), one other possible issue that fits this description is an issue with the trachea, including collapsed trachea . If this does not resolve within a few days, a veterinarian examination is warranted. It will be helpful to take a video of the coughing attack for the vet to see and hear exactly what is happening. In the meantime, if you are using a collar, stop immediately; you'll want to have her on harness any time she is on leash to prevent further injury should this be a tracheal issue.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

Readers, do you have any thoughts about what might be making this Maltipoo act scared of these rooms? Please let your thoughts below!

Post #23 Maltipoo Stopped Breathing; Jaws Clenched

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 20:45:12 GMT

An owner had a terrible scare when his Maltipoo turned blue, with clenched jaws

Question:

Hi, I just took my Maltipoo Mia for her daily ride and I always stop to let her do pee and poop. Well, she took about 5 steps and stopped and peed. Then she walked about 5 more feet and pooped. Afterwards she usually scratches with her back feet but never moved. I tapped her with my foot and she wouldn't move. When I looked at her I saw a little foam around her mouth and had a hard time prying her mouth open but when I finally did her tongue was very blue. I put my finger in her throat to see if I could feel anything but I didn't.

Then she started breathing just as I was getting ready to do mouth to mouth/nose. It took her about five minutes for her tongue to get back pink. Is this something I need to worry with?

The first thing I thought about was CHF. I'm an RN so I always think the worse.

Thank you for your suggestions. She is 5 lbs overweight. Mia is a white Maltipoo with a brown nose and green eyes. December 1st she will be 3 years old

Thanks again, Dail

Answer:

Hi Dail. That must have been very scary. And while we do not want to scare you further, yes, this is certainly something that you need to be very concerned about. There is not one health issue that would be considered minor that would cause a dog to stop breathing, turn blue, have clenched jaws and my some miracle come around and then be okay.

Please bring your Maltipoo to the vet as soon as humanly possible.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

Post #22 Maltipoo Has Black Spot on Gums

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 20:45:10 GMT

Owner just noticed a black spot on his Maltipoo's gums; wants to know if this is normal

Question:

Hello, I have a wonderful playful & very lovable 5 month male Maltipoo. I've notice a black spot on his gums behind his bottom front teeth.? Do you know why this is?

Answer:

Given that your Maltipoo is only a 5 month old puppy, the top concerns for seeing a black spot on the gums most likely does not apply to your particular dog. Of concern for Maltipoos a bit older, would be dental issues including plaque, infection or decay. Plaque, when right at the gum line may appear as a thin black area that indicates periodontal disease. Infection could have caused a blister of sorts that appears with a blackish tint. And a large area of decay could appear as a black spot on the gums. Of course, all of these issues would warrant an immediate visit at the vet clinic as this would not only lead to discomfort, but also loss of teeth and possible spreading of infection up into the sinuses or even throughout the whole body.

The other issue, though most applicable to older adult and senior Maltipoo dogs, would be to rule out melanoma. Raised spots or bumps that are irregularly shaped is the top sign of this. However, the average age of melanoma developing in oral cavities of dogs is between 11 and 13 years old. Males are affected more than females and we should note that a black spot is not the only color of melanoma; in some instances it may be gray, white or even pink (though it will be raised).

This all said, in many cases, if the black spot is flat and not raised at all, this can be just a normal skin pigmentation element and nothing to be concerned about. Many dogs have some darker pigmentation in the mouth; this may be blackish spots on the tongue, inner lips, gums, roof of the mouth, etc. These may grow or diminish in size as the dog ages. Maltipoos can also have small black spots on the belly; these may appear more visible in the summer and less so in the wintertime. The most important element is the issue of flat vs raised.

Hopefully, you are already establishing a plan of at-home dental care that includes brushing your Maltipoo's teeth and offering at least 1 quality dental treat per day. In addition, each year when he has his wellness check, his teeth should be checked.

If you notice that this black spot on the gums is raised, becomes raised, changes in shape or texture, or if your Maltipoo shows any signs of discomfort (hesitant to eat,etc.), do report the spot to the vet right away. And when he has his next planned checkup, do point this out and have the vet take a look.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

Post #21 Taking Care of 4 Week Old Newborn Maltipoo Puppy

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 20:45:08 GMT

An owner was given a 4 week old newborn, wants to know the best way to offer care

Question:

My daughter and I just got a 4-week old Maltipoo puppy we named Blake. I had figured it was too early to take Blake from his dam, but the breeder, who is a friend of mine, assured me the pups were ready. Blake is a wonderful puppy and seems fine; we've been giving him goat's milk. Could you please give us any advice on how to care for a puppy so young who's away from his littermates and dam? My daughter and I want to do all we can to make sure he's a happy, healthy dog.

Thanks in advance! Amanda

Answer:

It is very surprising that a breeder would say that a 4 week old puppy is ready to leave his mother, as it simply is not true. Puppies leave their dam at 8 weeks old for good reason (not including the legality issues - while a puppy can be given away at any age , sales are not to be done before the 8 week mark in many states). The very best nutrients for a newborn is his mother's milk. In addition, the process of leaving his littermates and exploring out in his 'world' beyond the dam's nesting area should be a gradual one.

This said, you have this little cute pie now and we are glad that you asked for some tips.

1. We do not recommend goat's milk; it is not ideal for the needs of such a young pup. Many veterinarians agree that the lactose, fat and protein levels in goat's milk are not correct during this crucial newborn time.

Since the 4 week mark is the start of the weaning process, we'd highly recommend a quality puppy milk replacer. This week, you will begin by making a very thin 'soup' which consists of the milk replacer and the brand of food that the dam was eating (though if it was a really inferior food, we'd rescind that recommendation), mixed very well in a blender until it is thin and runny. Every few days, the consistency should be slightly thicker.

By the end of week 6, into week 7, the Maltipoo puppy should be fully weaned and able to eat solid food.

2. Proper warmth is vital. If this pup was with the dam, he would be snuggled up to her for warmth. We'd suggest a small canine bed with small baby clothes to use as blankets. You may opt to place a heating pad under the cloths, set on warm, not hot, to ensure that this pup does not struggle to maintain body temperature. If he seems to have struggles outside of his bed, you may wish to slip a soft shirt or other clothing onto him.

3. The responsibility of having this Maltipoo de-wormed will fall to you. Puppies are typically dewormed at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 16 weeks. If you are not sure if he had his 4 week de-worming, do please find out.

4. His 6 to 8 week vaccinations will be coming up. This is for distemper, measles and parainfluenza. This Maltipoo should not be taken to any public areas until he has had all of his puppy shots.

5. This puppy will miss out on important play with his littermates to learn certain behavioral habits, including controlling his nipping. This may lead to some tricky moments for you... as he finds his ability to nip, the victim of those snaps will most likely be you and your daughter. You'll need to withdraw quickly, let out a loud & firm 'no' and temporarily 'banish' him from the 'pack' by ignoring him. Only allowing him back into play if he behaves.

5. Without the opportunity to mimic the dam, housebreaking will be a bit challenging as well; you'll want to stay on top of things, by following all the house training rules, without fail.

6. Since most puppies are sold at the 8 week mark with a health guarantee, you won't have this assurance. For this reason, this puppy should have a full and complete veterinary checkup now and of course, he will be seen and examined when he is brought in for de-worming and inoculations.

We hope that this helps and we wish you luck with this little one!

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

Do you have any thoughts about such a young puppy going to a new home? Please share your thoughts below.

Post #20 Maltipoo Likes the Closet

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 18:22:33 GMT

An owner asks about why his Maltipoo has started resting, sleeping and staying in a closet

Question:

One of our Maltipoos, Chloe, 7 yr old female, has recently started to spend time in the far back corner of our master bedroom closet. It started only a few months ago, and only when my wife was at her part time job. She spends most of her time in a chair by a window, barking at dogs that go by, and watching everything that happens outside when my wife is home. But, when we (both dogs ride along) take my wife to work, Chloe comes home and goes right in the closet. She will come out to be fed, for treats, and to go potty outside.

In the past week she has started to go into the closet while my wife is in the MB with both dogs. The main MB is their den, as my wife practically lives in there. Both dogs sleep in there as well. One in bed with us, and Chloe on her chair (throne), or sometimes in the MB closet. We understand that most dogs like their own quiet space, and since we don’t have kennels, this apparently is Chloe’s. Our other Maltipoo is almost glued to my wife.

She’s healthy, playful at times, loves car rides, walks, and eats good. Not overweight. Any idea why she has lost interest in a plush chair up against a second floor window, with activities outside to watch, and seems to now prefer the closet?

Thanks, Rick

Answer:

Hi Rick,

Thanks for your question. If you hadn't let us know that she is healthy, playful, going for walks and eating well, we would have definitely suggested a vet checkup. When a dog retreats into a closet or hides in another way, this is often a sign of feeling vulnerable due to some sort of health issue or injury.

If you are 100% sure that she does not have any health concerns at all and since she is not showing any signs of depression, this appears to just be a matter of personal taste. Some dogs, and especially females, do like to 'nest'.

As long as you do not mind her taking that spot, do allow it to be her 'claimed' area. She must find it both relaxing and a place of feeling secure. In a household of other dogs, having the closet as her own retreat must be providing the type of environment that suits her best. Though she used to enjoy sitting at the window, you do say that the visual triggers caused her to bark... she may have decided on her own that she would rather avoid that stimulation and rest quietly.

Do, of course, keep an eye on things. If she starts to show any signs such as decreased appetite or withdrawing to the point of no interaction with humans or other dogs, this will be a reason for a vet checkup.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

Does your Maltipoo have any strange quirks? Let us know about this in the comments below!

Post #19 Tips for Taking Maltipoo on Airplane

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 18:22:32 GMT

An owner wants to prepare for their Maltipoo flying on an airplane

Question:

We would like to take our 16 month old maltipoo, Abigail with us on an airplane trip to Florida. She loves to ride in the car and has been cross country and on several shorter trips but never flown. I want to make her trip a comfortable and positive experience. Can you give me any advise?

Thanks, Jackie

Answer:

Hi, that’s a great question since flying with a dog on an airplane can be a bit tricky. It’s definitely smart to prepare way in advance.

Here is a list of the 7 things to do & know:

1. Call an airline ahead to find out their exact rules and guidelines. You’ll want to choose a flight that allows your Maltipoo to travel with you, in a carrier. Most airlines allow this for dogs under 20 pounds. When pets are placed with cargo down below, this can be very dangerous due to extreme temperature changes, not to mention that the whole experience can be emotionally traumatizing.

2. Choose the travel carrier carefully. For those airlines that do allow pets to travel with owners, they will need to be in a travel carrier. Luckily, since the Maltipoo is small dog, this can be accomplished. However, rules on the measurements of the carrier are very strict. You’ll want to take measurements to be absolutely sure that it meets the regulations and does not exceed width, height or depth by even an inch.

3. Train your Maltipoo to become used to the carrier . Even if he does well in a car seat and is happy to be in a sling, canine travel crates are much different. 10 to 15 minutes twice per day, with you right beside him should be fine, since when he flies on the plane with you, you’ll always be close by, able to speak to him which should help keep him calm. It can help to buy a few new toys that your Maltipoo is only allowed to play with when inside the crate; this can help him start to associate the carrier with someone fun.

4. Book a direct flight. Changing planes is stressful enough without having to worry about your Maltipoo too.

5. Health-check papers. Many flights want you to produce papers stating that your dog is in good health and up-to-date on shots. In most cases, this must be dated within 10 days of travel. So, you’ll want to plan ahead to obtain this from the veterinarian. If you are ever traveling overseas, there may be much stricter regulations, so you’ll want to inquire about this. If this is not done properly, you could find yourself in a situation in which your dog is quarantined, and of course, you want to avoid this at all cost.

6. Dealing with bathroom needs. Unless the flight is very short, traveling on a plane will no doubt involve your dog needing to go to the bathroom at some point. If allowed to do this freely in the crate, it can be uncomfortable for your dog, not to mention every other passenger will be miffed at you. This is where doggie diapers can come in handy. While you’ll have some cleaning up to do once you land (via quality canine body wipes), keeping urine and feces contained makes for a much more comfortable flight.

7. Calming remedies. If you know that your Maltipoo doesn’t do well with planes, you can start this before takeoff. While these do not work for all dogs, some dogs do respond well to chews that contain a colostrum calming complex. There are also sprays that can help, the ones that often work best are those with a lavender chamomile fragrance. This is sprayed within the carrier and not on the dog. As a side note, these can also help with car travel as well.

While some vets will prescribe a tranquilizer for pets to be given before airplane travel, unless a dog has a strong history of intolerance for planes, we do not recommend this. Many are not tested to see how animals respond when at high altitude and if a dog were to have an allergic reaction, tens of thousands of feet in the sky is not where you want to be.

Have a great flight!

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

Have you ever taken your Maltipoo on a plane? How did it go? If you have any extra tips for this reader, leave your comment below!

Post #18 Are Cesar entrees good for a Maltipoo?

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 18:22:30 GMT

An owner wants to know if Cesar dog food is a good choice

Question:

Hi I've been feeding my Maltipoo Cesar entrees. Is this a good idea?

Answer:

We're glad that you asked.

The Cesar Originals (18 different flavor recipes) are just 2.5 star foods. The #1 ingredient is water, which does not start things off well. Then the 2nd food is beef by-products. While the term may seem innocent enough, this is actually me slaughterhouses waste. In other words, the parts of cows that humans do not eat. It can include lungs, brain, fatty tissues, stomach, etc. And to make it worse, the #4 ingredient is meat by-products, which is the slaughterhouse waste of different animals other than cows (most likely pigs, since chicken by-products are the #7 ingredient, and with chicken this includes feet and beaks.

For the Cesar line of Savory delight tubs, with wonderful names such as Filet Mignon Flavor and Pork Tenderloin
are just as bad, with a 2.5 star rating. Most concerning is the by-products and also artificial coloring, which are chemicals that can cause chronic allergic reactions.

The Bistro trays are also just 2.5 stars. Though these have less by-products and more real meat, of concern to a Maltipoo would be the pea fiber, which is just pea hull, this is a cheap filler food with zero nutrients and the minerals in this are not chelated, which means that they can be very hard for a dog to ingest.

In regard to possibly giving your Maltipoo the Gourmet Filets, issues are just about the same as the Bistrol trays.

So, as you can see, these are not good choices. As always, we recommend Orijen, as it is a 5 star food. In looking at the Original Line, the top 9 ingredients are chicken, turkey, flounder, whole eggs mackerel, chicken liver, turkey liver, chicken heart and turkey heart. It includes whole peas which is a healthy carb with good amounts of fiber. There is also red and green lentils, chickpeas and alfalfa (all great, healthy choices). Notably, it contains chicory root, which is a very healthy ingredient that works as a prebiotic (not pro), which promotes the growth of 'good' bacteria in the GI tract, leading to healthy digestion.

For these reasons, we strongly recommend feeding a Maltipoo Orijen, which comes in Puppy, Senior, Tundra, Original, Six Fish, Puppy Large (not for Maltipoos) and Regional Red.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

What brand do you feed your Maltipoo? Do you know the rating (1 through 5 stars) of the food that you give to your puppy or dog? Leave your comments below!

Post #17 Maltipoo injured badly after short fall

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 18:22:28 GMT

An owner is concerned about her Maltipoo after she suffered awful injuries from a short fall

Question:

My friend had my 3 year old, 4.7 lb Maltipoo on her lap on the first stair of a flight of steps. We were out for a walk and ran into her in my apt complex and Lucy and I know her. Lucy squirmed a little so the friend opened her arms and somehow Lucy twisted and landed on her side and didn't move. I still had her on her harness leash. I knew something was wrong, picked her up carefully and realized she was seizing. She was looking at me with her little pink tongue hanging out as usual but didn't make a sound.

I thought she broke her neck. Limbs were stiff then involuntarily peed on me. I was crying hysterically. This was at 9 p.m. last Tuesday. We rushed to the ER vet about 7 mins away. Gave Mannitol for brain swelling, IV, etc. PETRAYS X-RAY says: Slightly displaced fractures involving the occipital bone and causal aspect of the parietal bone. There are multiple lucent lines within the caudal dorsal aspect of the occipital bone and the caudal aspect of the parietal bone. She received 24/7 care Tues - Thurs night. A CT scan is 2k -2500.. She has Ataxia. Vet said give a week or so of complete rest before CT scan unless she has a seizure. She was perfectly healthy. Today is Monday so it's been 6 days.

I held her harness if she got up because of the wobbliness but today started signs of aggression, biting, if I tried to touch harness. She is house trained and loopily walked to the front door several times. I passed her area so she wouldn't hit her head, so she sat at the door and I let her out and followed carefully. Around the corner comes my neighbor with his 2 larger dogs that Lucy's played with before. She takes off, just a little wobbly but didn't fall (I'm panicking) and plays a little with his 2 dogs and stands with him like she's scared of me...in the house, she jumps at the tiniest noise and seems afraid of me...but will take food and treats from my hand!!

2 issues: I'm happy seeing her make that progress even though she's still wobbly in the house and 2..Could she be mad at me for the fall? She was just coming out of a funk/trauma from a new groomer (I almost sued them because I suspected manhandling and she neck pain my vet said. I was so worried about the groomer, now this. She and I were like peas and carrots... help, I think she has PTSD or something. Sorry this is so long but I can't find anything online as specific. The head injury really worries me the most though.

Thank you, Becky

Answer:

Hi Becky,

We are so sorry to hear about this fall and the aftereffects. What a terrible experience for both of you. Clearly, you were not at fault and did all that you could to keep her safe. When she fell, you reacted correctly.

Though she has some ways to go to fully recover, we can assure you that Lucy is not upset with you. Canines, though very intelligent, would not be able to cognitively link the connections of the actions that occurred leading up to such an event and are not able to place blame in such a way. She especially would not be able to link this injury from the fall to you, since you did not directly harm her.

However, there are several things that may be at play here:

1) When dogs are in pain, it is common to become aggressive and act out-of character. With the fall itself and the resulting injuries, along with any bruising, your Maltipoo may be experiencing enough discomfort that it is affecting her this way.

You'll want the vet to gauge her level of discomfort and to then discuss possible treatment for that pain.

2) In regard to the wobbly gait that your Maltipoo has this may be due to a worsening condition with the brain... Perhaps a side effect from a concussion that is not healing or in rare cases, but possible would be a developing blood clot; though she was cleared via the CAT scan, she should be re-checked for this.

Cleared of that, you say that she was diagnosed with ataxia. This is a loss of muscle coordination that can be due to several causes, but of course in this case, it was head trauma. Ataxia can be a life-long condition. Once ataxia due to a worsening condition is ruled out, we'd suggest speaking with the vet to be referred to a canine rehabilitation service. Similar to physical therapy that us humans can receive, these sorts of specialists work with dogs to help with a variety of disorders, including ataxia.

3) You are correct that she may be experiencing a form of PTSD. This is very common with rescue dogs that endure horrifying situations. This would not explain away the wobbly gait, however. It may explain some of the aggression, but more to the point it would explain the being afraid of those dogs, noises and even sometimes of you. In essence, she is jumpy and nervous since she fell and was injured. She went through a lot, so this is not unexpected.

For this, patience and time are the keys to this resolving. Do not place her in any situations that may trigger her. In time, you can gradually reintroduce her to other dogs and such. So, for now, do please call the vet to discuss the aggression and unsteady gait. Only once those issues are diagnosed can you move on with possible rehab and some time to allow her to forget this incidence.

We are very sorry for what happened and our hearts and prayers are with you and your Maltipoo. Hopefully in time, she will be back to normal. But staying in touch with the vet and working closely with him during this recovery process will be of the utmost importance.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

Post #16 Maltipoo puppy afraid of leash

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 18:22:26 GMT

Tips for when a Maltipoo is acting scared of the leash

Question:

My Maltipoo puppy 13.5 weeks is scared to be on leash. When I put leash on her she just lays down like a rock. What are some tips to get her comfortable and ready for walks?

Answer:

This is a great question, since it not that uncommon. In most cases, a dog is not technically afraid of he leash since it is not really an object that a dog would find frightening. It is either an issue of the leash causing discomfort when attached to the collar, not wanting to walk on certain surfaces, fear of what is coming up and/or a need to get used to obeying the 'Heel' command.

So, first, when a Maltipoo is acting afraid of the leash, this will entail a slow desensitization training, being aware of the walking surfaces and following heeling techniques.

In regard to walking surfaces, this is quite common in the summer or winter if the sidewalks are too hot or cold. So, do keep this in mind, either choosing easier routes or by applying quality paw wax to her paws. Quality paw wax only needs to be applied 2 to 3 times per week.

To ensure that this is not a comfort issue:

Do not attach the leash to a collar. This can cause undue strain on the neck and even lead to injury. It will also make this leash phobia easier to deal with and just this element alone may resolve this issue. You'll want your pup to get used to wearing a harness. Harnesses can be super comfortable, so do choose a great one like the Puppia adjustable harness.

If your pup is still afraid of the leash even when it is connected to the harness, do the following.

1. Staying inside the house, have the harness on your Maltipoo. Attach a 6 foot leash to the harness. Do not hold the other end. Just allow it to be free on the floor. Let her inspect it. Let her drag it around. Do this for about 10 minutes, 2 to 3 times per day for 3 days.

2. Staying inside the house. With her on harness and leash, hold the other end. Have her on your left. Walk her inside the house, commanding a 'Heel'. If she sits and refuses to walk, since she will be wearing a harness, you are safe to continue walking, forcing her to follow. Of course, walk slow. Any time, even if it is just for a few seconds, that she is walking beside you, give great praise and a quick treat, while still walking. (have treats ready in your pocket to easily dispense).

3. Now it to practice outside. With her on harness and a short 6 foot leash, start the walk. Have her on your left and use the command word of 'Heel'. If she stops, you do not. As the leader, it is you who decides where to go, at what pace, when to turn and when to stop. Important will be to ignore any stubbornness and GREATLY reward any walking.

Be sure to end things on a good note, so that the last part of the session involves her tolerating the leash.

Some extra tips are to experiment with walking times. Some dogs will resist being walked simply because they are not in the mood to go anywhere! Maybe she'd prefer a 'before dinner' walk to an 'after dinner' walk or vice-versa. As long as it does not disrupt your schedule, try to be flexible in when you take her outside.

Also, keep an eye out for other triggers that may be causing her to lie down besides the leash. Maybe she can sense a larger dog up ahead? Or can hear rushing traffic around the corner? If you can identify elements that she is fearing, you can change the route to avoid those and plan to train her at a later date to be socialized to them.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

Did your Maltipoo need to get used to being walked? Do you have any extra tips or comments? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

Post #15 Maltipoo puppy is not gaining weight, should she be free-fed?

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 18:22:25 GMT

A 6 month old Maltipoo puppy has stopped gaining, the breeder recommended free feeding

Question:

My Maltipoo is 6 months. She weighs 7.lbs and has not gained any weight this month but she was spayed and would that account for no gain?

The breeder said she is a "muncher", that is I should leave her kibble down and she will take from it what she wants. However, I notice that you recommend 3 meals a day. She seems to be a picky eater and does not seem to 'take" very much. I have gotten her on to Kangaroo can food as of today and she is lapping it up.

The breeder also said she is lactose intolerant. I did not ask how she knew this. Is this common with this breed?

Judy, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Answer:

Hi Judy,

1. Spaying should not directly cause a pause in weight gain, however due to some discomfort felt after the procedure, your Maltipoo may have had a decreased appetite. Also, if she is going to be on the small end of the weight range for the breed, her growth will slow down considerably from now to the 9 or 10 month mark. So, a bit of decreased eating after being spayed, along with slowed growth may cause no gain for the month. Important, is that she did not lose any weight.

2. The breeder was wrong to label your Maltipoo as a 'muncher'. All dogs graze if allowed to. This is most commonly referred to free-feeding, when food is left out all day, for the dog to eat as he wishes. We do not recommend this sort of unstructured feeding. We would suggest transitioning to 3 meals per day plus small treats used to reward good behavior such as following housebreaking rules or listening to a command.

To reinforce proper hierarchy, we also recommend that the Maltipoo listens to a 'Sit' command before the dish is placed down.

3. Kangaroo is can be a healthy alternative for dogs that do not tolerate other meats. This said, some brands will be better than others. We would suggest checking on the Dog Food Advisor websit e to see what star rating your chosen brand has.

4. All Maltipoos and all dogs for that matter, are lactose intolerant. The canine digestive system cannot process many milk products as (most) humans can. You'll want to avoid giving your Maltipoo whole milk and cheese. However, quality commercial treats with cheese flavor is just fine. Most Maltipoos can also have some cottage cheese, whole white yogurt (very good for the digestive tract) and for a special treat now and then, a small amount of whole ice cream.

Post #14 Maltipoo with eye crust and nail trimming question

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 18:22:23 GMT

Why Maltipoo dogs get eye crusting issues and how short to keep nails

Question:

My employer has a 5 yr old tan Maltipoo that gets excessive eye crust. Would you please give me an explanation why the multipoo gets this? Also how to care and remove it? Also, how short should nails be?

Answer:

Eye crust can be from a few different issues. A bit of 'eye gook' in the morning is not all that uncommon. However, if there is excessive eye discharge that is draining (thin or thick, drying into a crust or not), this can be a matter of allergies, eye infection such as conjunctivitis or it could be a blocked tear duct. With conjunctivitis (commonly referred to as pink eye), there is often moderate to heavy eye crust each morning, along with bloodshot eyes and/or excessive blinking due to the eyes being itchy. For allergies , most often a dog will have other symptoms such as itching on the body, nasal discharge and/or wheezing, but with some puppies and dogs, issues with the eyes are the most prominent issue. Since allergies can be environmental, contact or food, testing at the vet should be done to pinpoint the trigger. With a blocked tear duct, the main symptom is runny discharge, though this may harden up if not wiped away. There may also be some swelling around the eyes.

There are also a variety of other possible health conditions , so if a Maltipoo has excessive tearing or crusting, this is something that needs to be looked at by the vet. Only once the root of the issue is resolved, can you then continue to to keep the eye area clean.

For 'normal' tearing that causes tear stains around the eyes, this is something that could be treated from home with a quality canine tear stain removal product such as Eye Envy, as seen on page 4 of the Maltipoo Specialty Shoppe .

For the nails , they should be trimmed to where they almost touch the ground. So, if you hear a 'clicking' noise when the dog walks, this means they need to be a bit shorter. But do take care that they are only trimmed back just a bit, just a tad less than if they were touching. Personally, we like to file the nails, instead of clipping them... there is less chance of cutting the 'quik' and is fast and easy. Nails should be checked very 6 weeks or so or any time you hear that 'clicking' noise.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

Post #13- Feeling guilty about Maltipoo in pen during the day

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 18:22:22 GMT

Maltipoo is ripping up things in owner's bedroom during the day

Question:

I let my Maltipoo sleep in my bed with me at night, but during the day I'd like him to be in his own area. When he stays in my bedroom by himslf during the day when I'm not there, he rips stuff up. I feel guilty about this, is it okay?

Answer:

As long as his own bed is in a comfortable area (gated off area or canine playpen) and not a small crate (being in a small crate can be very stressful for dogs), there is nothing wrong with this. In fact, it is recommended. It is important to react appropriately to unwanted behavior. If your Maltipoo rips up stuffing, it is correct to place him in a spot in which he cannot do this sort of behavior. Do not think of it as punishment. It is for his safety as well. If he is alone and chewing on bed stuffing, this could be a choking hazard.

Your Maltipoo will soon learn that 'in the bed with you' is his 'night time routine' and 'in his own bed during the day' is his 'day time routine'.

Be sure that he is comfortable, had enough room and has his: bed, food, water and plenty of chew toys.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

Does your Maltipoo sleep in your bed or in his own area? Has your dog every ripped up things in your bedroom when you weren't home? Leave your comments below!

Post #12 Is it safe to give baby food to a Maltipoo

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 03:05:02 GMT

Owner that home cooks for his Maltipoo wonders about adding baby food or fruit

Question:

Is it safe to give my Maltipoo Loki baby fruits and baby food? He lives white rice with chicken breast, bland of course. Can I cook the white rice with chicken broth? Thanks.

Answer:

Regarding the fruit and baby food, there is definitely a need to add to the chicken and rice. But we would not recommend feeding baby food to a Maltipoo for several reasons:

For healthy teeth and gums, dogs need various textures to chew.
Baby food may contain some ingredients such as onion powder or even grapes that are toxic.
Some dogs may experience runny bowels if fed too much baby food.
There are much better wholesome food products that will offer better nutrition other than baby food.

We'd strongly recommend veggies (carrots, sweet peas, green beans and sweet potato), some extra protein items such as lima beans and eggs (scrambled egg can be added to meals) and some fruit (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, occasionally a bit of banana) and with a home cooked diet, you want to be sure to offer a full and complete canine vitamin and mineral supplement. This is not a matter of home cooked food lacking something, commercial brands add vitamins and minerals to their mix... so you'll need to do the same via a supplement (powder is best, as it can easily be sprinkled onto food or mixed in).

In regard to the broth, yes that is a great method; if you use canned broth do be sure to use a low-sodium option; but broth from the home cooked chicken will be just fine.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

Which home cooked foods does your Maltipoo enjoy? Let us know in the comments below!

Post #11 Adopted Maltipoo is growling at child

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 02:38:13 GMT

A 3 year old Maltipoo is growling at an 8 year old child after the bowl is taken away

Question:

Our 3 year old dog Lucy is food aggressive. Even after we take her food bowl up she will growl at my 8 year old son when he is on the floor playing in the other room. What's the best way to stop her from being food aggressive? Aren't Maltipoos supposed to like kids?

Thanks, Kim

Answer:

Thanks for messaging us with your questions. We just answered your first question regarding barking in Post #10. Now that we are seeing this second question, it seems very clear that this Maltipoo needs some serious training. A Maltipoo growling at a child in the household is, most likely, something far more than just food aggression.

While it is not uncommon for dogs to be protective of their food, this is a step above that. Growling is never to be taken too lightly. It is a dog's clear warning that a bite is not far away. If only adults were involved, we'd suggest some at-home strategies, however with a young child, we'd strongly recommend personal one-on-one training with a licensed professional dog trainer. This Maltipoo - no doubt through no fault of her own, was not raised properly and has an incorrect perspective of hierarchy. This is not going to get better on its own. Your Lucy needs precise, serious training to re-learn her place in the 'pack' and to display proper behavior.

We'd suggest contacting your local SPCA for training classes or doing a web search for trainers in your area. While group classes are great for commands and other elements, training for aggression toward family members should be done in your home.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

What are your thoughts about this? Leave a comment below!

Post #10 How to get Maltipoo to stop barking at everything

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 02:24:25 GMT

A Maltipoo is barking at everything, owner is looking for tips to stop this

Question:

I've recently adopted a 3 year old Maltipoo, Lucy. We have had her for 3 months. Lucy barks at every little noise, especially when she can't see what is making the sound. What's the best way to reduce the amount of barking?

Answer:

This is definitely a common issue, so we're glad that you asked. It does take some time, however you can train a Maltipoo to stop barking at everything. Here are the basics:

1. Socialize and desensitize her to as much as possible. Since she is an adopted dog, we suspect that she did not have much exposure to elements before she found her way to you. When a dog is not used to the world around him, everything is a trigger for barking. Even the most mundane things and noises. The key is to gradually expose your Maltipoo to all sorts of things, people, places, events and objects so that she no longer thinks of everything as special.... or in other words, a valid reason to prompt vocalization. In regard to noises, if possible show her what is making the noise and do exposure her to those triggers in a gradual way (many dogs need training to get used to the vacuum and dishwasher, etc.)

2. Be sure that exercise requirements are being met. It's amazing how wound up and hyper a dog can get without daily exercise. Even missing one walk can cause frustrated behavior. So, be sure to take your Maltipoo for a brisk 20 to 30 minute walk, twice per day.

3. Reassess the vibe of the household. It's easy to not realize how busy/chaotic/ loud a household can be until we step back and look at it as an unbiased party. Blaring TVs, lots of foot traffic and loud animated talk (or arguments) can rile a dog up, even after things calm down. Dogs will be much calmer if the general vibe of the house is calm and relaxed.

4. Make sure your Maltipoo has tools for independent play. Some dogs are just fine lazing around and others can become very bored quite easily, which can lead to behaviors such as barking a lot or chewing things up. Make sure that your Maltipoo's toy collection consists of great toys that actually hold her interest and provide something (treat release, a good chewing texture or interaction (noises or voices) so that he can keep himself busy.

5. Completely ignore barking and strongly praise quiet. A dog will behave in a way that produces the most benefits to him. He will take always choose the route that leads to good things. The key to stopping your Maltipoo from barking all the time, is to teach her that barking gets him absolutely nothing. And we mean nothing . No attention, no interaction, not even any speaking to him or even making eye contact. And, when she stops barking (even if it is just for a few moments as she catches her breath), being quiet produces wonderful things! Immediate pats, praise, a tasty reward and even a new toy now and then.

If these rules are followed, your Maltipoo bark less and for those times that she is barking up a storm, she will catch on that remaining calm and quiet is the action that is in her best interest.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

Do you have additional suggestions to help train a Maltipoo to stop barking all the time? Or have these tips worked for you? If so, please leave a comment below.

Post #9 Owners wants Maltipoo to be smaller

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 00:11:02 GMT

An owner is asking if it's okay to diet their Maltipoo down a few pounds

Question:

My male Maltipoo is now a bit over 11 pounds at 1 years old. This is larger than I wanted. The woman that I got him from was adamant that he would reach 7 pounds tops. He does seem a bit bulky and I wanted to know the best way to help him lose a few pounds. I'd like him to be smaller, as I expected a lap dog to be. Any tips would be appreciated.

Thank you, Josie

Answer:

Hi Josie. The first thing to keep in mind is that 11 pounds is a normal weight for a Maltipoo. This amazing hybrid dog typically ranges from 5 to 12 pounds, though some can be a bit larger, particularly if a miniature Poodle is in the bloodline. Also, the body structure of the Maltipoo is often not 'dainty', but rather Maltipoos tend to be a bit sturdy, which is a good thing. So, when you say that you want your Maltipoo to lose weight to be smaller, it will be vital to first have a veterinarian examine your dog to see if he is carrying any excess weight. We would guess that that answer will be no.

Trying to diet a dog down to reach a 'perfect' size that you envisioned your dog to be is very dangerous and would only result in an undernourished dog; and this would surely lead to health issues. Please appreciate your Maltipoo for the body structure that he naturally has and simply strive to keep him healthy by feeding him high-quality food, exercising him twice per day and bringing him to the vet for wellness checks.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

Do you have any advice to add to this topic? If so, please leave a comment below!

Post #8 Is it possible to walk a Maltipoo too much?

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 23:48:34 GMT

An owner asks if two 45 minute walks is too much for a Maltipoo puppy

Question:

My Maltipoo is 8 months old and weighs 10 pounds. I've been taking him for 45 minute walks twice a day. He doesn't slow his pace and doesn't seem to tire. He is so full of excess energy that I use the walks to release some of that energy. Are the walks too long?

Answer:

Yes, this should be just fine. The 'average' twice-per-day walk would be 20 to 30 minutes and if your Maltipoo does well with an extra 15 minutes for each session in order to release his pent up energy, we see no problem at all. As you say, he does not tire out and does well with this length of walk. When people talk about 'over exercise for puppies' that refers to a much more intense, physically draining activity that puts stress on the body.

If you were to cut back on these 90 minutes of daily exercise for him, there would no doubt start to be some issues with pent-up energy that could manifest as excessive barking, destructive chewing and over-all frustration.

As long as your Maltipoo does not become out-of-breath and enjoys this time, keep up with what you're doing. For puppies, too much exercise would be closer to something like 2 hours of very heavy cardio exercise , which is typically achieved via actual running and intense physical expenditure and not walking. Just be sure to monitor how he's doing, as this high energy level that he is displaying will gradually decrease as he matures. As an adult, he may continue to need this or slow down a bit, transitioning into 30 minute walks.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

How many minutes per day does your Maltipoo do best with? Leave a comment below!

Post #7 Another dog next door is driving my Maltipoo crazy

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 23:04:07 GMT

An owner worries about her Maltipoo being bothered by a hyper dog in the neighboring town home

Question:

Hi, I have a 2 year old female Maltipoo, named Mandipoo. I live in a townhouse, I'm in the corner unit so I have one neighbor to one side. I've been having a problem that's been causing both me and my maltipoo tons of stress. My neighbor also leaves his dog home alone. The problem? It's a huge Boxer dog and every time I'm walking from my car into my house, I can hear him going nuts. From inside my house, his barks are LOUD. The owner comes home about a half hour after me and then the dog is quiet. But my Maltipoo is completely worked up and shaken. Any suggestions besides moving?

Thanks, Jessica

Answer:

Hi Jessica,

We can imagine how stressful this must be and having to leave your Maltipoo home alone when there's a big dog barking through the walls is indeed a tricky situation. One thing to keep in mind, is that the other dog may not be barking all day long. He may be responding to hearing your car pull up or even hearing you enter your home. You may want to test this by parking some distance away and quietly walking up to see if he's barking. Though, since you do say that it goes on for a half hour once you're home, it may unfortunately be an all-day thing.

If this other dog is indeed barking like mad for perhaps hours, we'd suggest having a talk with the neighbor. Maybe he's not completely aware of how much of a disturbance this is or that his dog is having trouble being home alone. He may just need some help in the form of suggestions. If he's open to listening, you might want to suggest such things as him ensuring his dog has proper toys (treat release, etc.), having cool water available, possibly closing drapes to block the dog's vision to triggers, extra exercise in the morning before he leaves, and perhaps even a dog walker.) If this fails and if your townhouse is part of a condo association, it may come down to reporting the dog as a disturbance.

In regard to your Maltipoo being upset at hearing this dog bark through the walls, there's a few things that may help out a bit. We'd suggest setting up your Maltipoo as far away from the shared wall as possible. Though your Maltipoo will still hear the other dog, he may feel much safer with a good distance between them. You can also counteract this a bit by leaving on a TV or radio (just be sure that the channel or station tends to have calm, easy-going shows or music).

Hopefully, some of the readers here will have additional advice!

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

Do you have any tips for this reader? If so, please leave your comments and suggestions below!

Post #6 At What Age Can My Maltipoo Go to Groomer?

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 16:34:19 GMT

Owner of Maltipoo puppy asks at what age can a Maltipoo having her first professional grooming

Question:

Can I get my Maltipoo puppy groomed at any age? She's a small ball of fur.

Thanks, Wendy

Answer:

Technically, yes, as long as she is 2 weeks past having all of her puppy shots. However if your Maltipoo is very young, you may want to first practice handling her so that she is somewhat used to having her paws, tail, underbelly, and so forth touched. It will make that first grooming session less stressful. You'll also want to have her become accustomed to other people; you can have her meet and be petted by friends, family, neighbors, etc. to see how she does.

And then, the grooming session itself (if you have a gentle, nice groomer) will allow her to further become desensitized to the touching, and it is good to establish that early in life. We've received a lot of email from owners whose Maltipoos acted very skittish after a grooming session; some just cannot handle all that is done. There are some groomers that allow owners to watch the session, typically through a visitor's viewing window; we do recommend locating a service that offers this.

Also, do plan well ahead in regard to what, exactly, you wish for the groomer to do to your Maltipoo. If you just ask for a 'clip', this can be interpreted very differently, depending on who you go to. Have photos at the ready, to show how you want the coat to look regarding both length and shaping. And do inquire ahead of time regarding anal glands; some groomers will automatically express them, which really doesn't need to be done unless the appear enlarged.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

Do you bring your Maltipoo to be professionally groomed? Have you ever had a bad experience there? Share your thoughts by commenting below!

Post #5 When Will My Maltipoo Stop Growing

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 16:20:15 GMT

An Owner is Concerned that His Maltipoo is Growing Too Fast

Question:

My Maltipoo male puppy seems to be growing too fast and I'm worried that he's getting too big. At 3 months old and he weighed 2.5 pounds and now at five months old he already weighs 8.5 pounds, he increases every day. Can you tell me when he stop growing? He has lost 4 canine teeth already. Is this the right age to start losing his first teeth or usually Maltipoo lose them later?

Answer:

How your Maltipoo grows will vary depending on:

1. If your dog is a 1st generation Maltipoo (Poodle to Maltese pairing) is the sire or dam a toy Poodle or a miniature Poodle or is this a 2nd generation Maltipoo (both parents are Maltipoo dogs)
2. If a first generation, (Poodle and Maltese) what were the adult size of those dogs
3. Does this puppy have more Maltese in him or Poodle (this you will not know:)

Normal age for losing the teeth is between 4 and 9 months old, so you have no worries there.

If your Maltipoo is a 1st generation and both dogs were within standard size for their breed & the sire or dam was a toy Poodle, your Maltipoo should stop growing at the 8 to 10 month range. If the sire or dam was a mini Poodle, your Maltipoo may grow until he is about 15 months old.

That is one element about this amazing hybrid dog; size varies wildly right now, without a consistent range, mostly due in part to both toy and miniature Poodle being used in breeding.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

Do you have any tips or advice for owners concerned about their Maltipoo's final size? Comment below!

Post #4 What Age to Start Walking Maltipoo Puppy

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 16:00:58 GMT

An owner of an 11 week old Maltipoo puppy asks what age she can start walking him on leash and harness

Question:

Please tell me at what age can I start walking with my Maltipoo on harness and leash. She is now 11 weeks old.

Thanks, Karen

Answer:

Hi Karen,

The age to start taking a Maltipoo puppy for walks in public is 2 weeks past her 3rd round of puppy shots. That happens around the 12 week mark, but some vets do this early. If you are not sure, do check with your veterinarian. Once she is fully protected by having all of her puppy shots, you're ready to start taking her for daily walks, both in your neighborhood, in parks and in other safe public places. We recommend two walks per day.

Do have patience in allowing your Maltipoo to become accustomed to the harness (which is the wise choice, as opposed to a leash. as this can help prevent the terrible issue of collapsed trachea ). Walks should be at least 20 minutes, so you may want to investigate and walk the route on your own first, to be sure that it offers safe sidewalks, the walking surface is free from any hazards and the chosen route offers the right distance and duration for when you first start walking your Maltipoo.

Since you are just starting off, it would be great to practice come heeling techniques, in which your Maltipoo stays to your left side and follows your lead in regard to pace.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

Do you have any tips for new owners in regards to walking their puppy? Comment below!

Post #3 Maltipoo Using Doggie Door Stills Has Accidents

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 15:07:55 GMT

Owner wonders why Maltipoo using a doggie door still goes to the bathroom inside

Question:

Our Maltipoo, Zoe, will be a year old on October 16th. She has a doggie door which she uses multiple times each day because she loves being outside. However, she continues to Poo in certain areas of the house on the carpet. I don’t know what to do to prevent this? She has the door and goes outside when ever she wants, so why would she decide to go in the house? Suggestions?

Thank You,
Phyllis

Answer:

Hello Phyllis,

Well, if you think about it, this Maltipoo has no motivation for going to the bathroom in any one particular area. Allowed to be both inside and outside at will, what would her reason be for poo'ing outside? While it may make perfect sense to you that she should go to the bathroom outside, she has no idea that that is expected. It is not taught and is not reinforced. Right now, there is no incentive for her to poo in a spot that you wish for her to do it.

You may have taught your Maltipoo the 'bathroom rules' when younger, but it appears that without supervision and the very important reinforcement (reminding a dog via reward that they are doing well), lessons have been lost.

So, some things will need to change & essentially you will need to begin house training again, to teach her where to go. So for now, no allowing her to use the doggie door by herself.

1) You'll need to teach her that there is one designated bathroom area. This needs to be one area in the yard and not just 'anywhere' in the yard. While you are used to her going outside as she wishes, for training you need to be with her. She needs to be taken to the designated area, on leash, with you standing in the center of it and her only allowed to sniff and roam within the circle that she can cover while on leash. Any time that she goes to the bathroom there, teach her that her actions were 'correct' by giving tons of praise and offering a tasty treat (have it in your pocket so that she can be rewarded immediately).

2) Limit access to the areas of the house where she poos inside. Until your Maltipoo is trained, she needs to be in a gated off area or in a properly sized canine playpen.

3) Do not simply let her go out the doggie door. If you are not there to supervise her bathroom needs, you won't be able to reward her and teach her.

Once her re-learns that there is one designated bathroom area and she has motivation for using it (both praise & reward), she will know what to do. However, dogs do forget and it will be important to remind her that she is doing good... at least twice per week, reinforce the lessons by offering praise and reward when she uses that spot.

As a side note, you will want to use an enzyme-killing cleaner for the indoor spots that she used so that there are no lingering odors that she can pick up, which essentially 'screams' to a dog "This is a bathroom spot!".

And as a final note, while your Maltipoo may be very happy to use the doggie door to go outside at will, this is exceedingly risky for all but the most protected of yards. Toy sized breeds are at risk of coming into contact with a wide variety of wild, woodland animals and dogs of any size or breed are at risk of ingesting poisonous plants, swallowing rocks/pebbles, eating grass, eating feces and many other risks if allowed outside unsupervised.

We would recommend supervising her and not allowing her to be outside alone; too many things can go wrong.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

Do you have any tips or advice to add? Comment below!

Post #2 Question About Size of New Maltipoo Puppy

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 13:13:49 GMT

A reader wants to know if a Maltipoo pup with 5 lb. parents is too small

Question:

I am considering getting a "teacup" Maltipoo. My concern is that this breeder said both parents are under 5 pounds! The puppy is 10 weeks and weighs 1.5 pounds. I am very worried about hypoglycemia. I wanted some input as to questions I should ask.

Thanks,
Concerned

Answer:

Though with a hybrid breed dog, though there is no official size, yes, 5 lbs. is indeed the extreme low end of what is considered typical size for the Maltipoo and does bring about some concerns. Issues with this sized teacup Maltipooo , would not just be hypoglycemia (which can be somewhat prevented by frequent small meals), but also injury (trauma is a leading cause of death for toy sized dogs and part of that is being accidentally stepped on or dropped), so being so little can be dangerous. This will be an 'under the foot' dog. If you have children in the house, you will want to supervise them and instruct them in proper handling. In addition, if you are to obtain such a tiny Maltipoo, you'll want to always use a harness when the dog is on leash, never just a collar. At that size, collapsed trachea is always a concern and a harness helps to prevent that.

Another element to be aware of is that very small dogs get chilled very easily, so you'll want to prepare by having soft & warm doggie clothes ...quality sweaters and 'hoodies' help tiny dogs stay warm (even if owners feel fine, little dogs can feel cold, so you'll want to keep an eye out for shivering).

As far as questions, we would suggest asking the health of the parents and if you can see them, that would be best. You'll want documents from the pup's veterinarian showing that this pup is currently healthy and free from any conditions. You'll also want a health guarantee that states the pup is covered for any genetic issues.

With this all said, we would not say to let the size of 5 lbs. stop you from obtaining the puppy as long as having a tiny dog is something that you desire; but just prepared in regard to the care that is involved. This is not an 'undersized' dog, just one that is on the small end of the size range.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

Do you have any tips or advice to add? Comment below!

Post #1 Maltipoo's Eyelashes are Growing Downward

alisa31215@yahoo.com (The Team ) — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 13:13:49 GMT

An owner asks about the abnormal angle of her Maltipoo's eyelashes

Question:

Hi, Maybe you could answer this question for me since I couldn't find an exact answer online. One of the eyelashes on my Maltipoo is perfect & sweeps upward but the other goes downward. My question is how short should I cut them & is there anything I can do to train the one to go upward. Didn't know what I could use since it's the eye area ¬t sure if there's anything out there. Thought of using a lash curler but doubt that would be successful. How long &/or short should they be? Thank You, Cindy

Answer:

Hello Cindy,

For the eyelashes that curve downward, this sounds like a classic case of Entropion; though a minor case. In severe cases, the eyelid is moderately to severely inverted to the point of the lashes scratching the cornea and causing eye issues. As long as the lashes on your Maltipoo are not so inverted that they can scratch the eye, you most likely do not need to take any steps (such as eye drops, etc.) However, to try and curl the lashes up most likely will not work (the eye lash curler would be very temporary) as this is due to the shape of the lid and the arrangement of the follicles and you can't fight Mother Nature. Also, there is no official measurement of how long a Maltipoo's lashes should be.

Do keep an eye on the eye (pun intended) for any possible concerns such as the eye being bloodshot, squinting and the like and if you notice that, do have the vet take a look.

Love, Hugs & Maltipoo Kisses,

The PetMaltipoo Team

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