Should My New Puppy Receive a Haircut Before Coming Home?

At My Doodle Maltipoos often receive this question from future families asking if we include a hair cut before their puppy comes home either at 8 weeks old, or after they have graduated dog obedience training, when they’re 13 weeks old. Although we do not give your puppy a full haircut before going home, we will trim around the eyes and face to ensure your puppy can see clearly and hair doesn’t irritate the eyes or ears and we will give them a bath and blow dry before they go home.

There are a few reasons we don’t offer a full haircut before your puppy goes home. We’ll list a few starting with the most important reason.

Your puppy should be fully vaccinated before going to the groomers

Typically during your puppies time with us, they have not had their full round of vaccinations. Even at 13 weeks old (after they graduate training), they still require one more vaccination before it’s safe for your puppy to visit the groomers or any place that could have other animals. We will send your puppy home up-to-date on vaccinations and will provide records of each vaccine as well as recommended schedule for future vaccinations. You can read more about our recommended vaccination schedule, but we always recommend following the recommendations of your local veterinarian.

A great piece of advice when you first bring your puppy home is to call your local vet and schedule the remaining vaccinations and then call a local groomer to schedule their first haircut as most groomers are typically 2-4 weeks out on scheduling.

We recommend your puppy’s first hair cut be with a local groomer you plan to stick with

The first puppy cut experience is really important for your new Maltipoo. It helps you and your Maltipoo get familiar with the grooming process and build a relationship with the right groomer. Your puppy’s first haircut can be a scary experience that they aren’t used to yet. Groomers are not only trained to clean and trim your puppy, but also in how to keep them calm and learn to really enjoy this grooming experience over time.

Choosing the right local groomer is very important

If you visit the worlds largest Maltipoo Facebook Group, you will find many stories (good and bad) of their puppies first time at the groomers. Based on many recommendations from these group members on how to find the right local breeder, we have summarized a few tips that will help you.

If you don’t yet have a groomer in mind, I would highly advise that you talk to any friends or family that have a dog and ask for personal recommendations and why they like their groomer to help you make a more informed decision on the best groomer for you. You can also visit google and read through reviews and even customer submitted images to ensure you feel comfortable with the right groomer during this first-time experience.

We do offer a few exceptions upon request

Although we never bring any dogs to the groomers before they’re fully vaccinated, if your puppy ends up boarding with us beyond the time they are fully vaccinated, we will offer to schedule and bring your puppy to our local groomer upon request for an additional fee.

What Is Pet Insurance and How Does It Help My Dog?

Years ago, people had few options for insurance. Protection covered things like homes, businesses, cars, and life, but not much more. Today, you can find insurance for almost anything, including your pets. While some people might think of this as a frivolous expense, dedicated owners completely understand the decision to ensure the health and safety of their animals.

A Long History
Interestingly, Claes Virgin of Länsförsäkringar Alliance wrote the first pet insurance policy in 1890. Although his focus was on livestock rather than domesticated animals, that opened the door for new opportunities. Even so, it wasn’t until 57 years later when, in 1947, a company in Britain wrote the first policy for domesticated pets.

What Is Pet Insurance?
Just as the name implies, this is an insurance policy specifically written for the animals that people live with. Not only can you buy pet insurance for dogs, but also cats, birds, and other beloved critters. Although a policy like this benefits animals of any age, it’s especially recommended for people with aging or older pets

For instance, say you have a 10-year-old Labrador Retriever. This breed has an average lifespan of 12 years (smaller dogs lifespan such as Maltipoo ranges from 12-16 years). So, by the age of 10, most start to experience health problems associated with age. As a result, their owner anticipates spending more time and money at the vet. After all, they want to provide their dog with the best remaining years of life possible.

Another scenario involves buying a puppy. Around the age of three months, he’s romping around the house and yard. However, he’s also discovered an interest in the street. Obviously, that’s not good. If a car accidentally hit the puppy, its owner would need to rush him to a veterinarian clinic for treatment. Something like that can get expensive.

In both cases, having pet insurance for dogs will cover all or a good portion of vet bills. Depending on the exact plan, some only cover preventative care, while others also include the cost of emergencies. This is why it’s so important to compare different policies for pet insurance before choosing one.

How Does Pet Insurance Work?
Pet insurance for dogs, cats, birds, and other animals works in much the same way as car and renter’s insurance. You pay a monthly premium for the policy. The price depends on the type and amount of coverage. When working with a reputable insurance provider, you can look at numerous options to find one that’s ideal for your pup.

One big difference with pet insurance for dogs, as well as other critters, is that in most cases, the provider would reimburse you after you pay the vet. Most pet insurance policies cover between 70 and 100 percent of the vet bill. When you get a policy from a reputable provider, you can expect to receive your claim money in about seven to nine days.

Regarding the types of things that pet insurance covers, most policies pay for emergency injuries and illnesses. They also pay for many surgeries, medication, diagnostic procedures, and emergency examinations.

One important note: Seldom will pet insurance cover anything mentioned if it’s related to a preexisting condition. But if you buy pet insurance sooner than later, even if your dog develops a chronic health condition later in life, it could be covered. 

Summing It Up
To avoid paying the full expense to keep your pet healthy and safe, consider pet insurance. If you’re interested in coverage for your pup, make sure you choose pet insurance for dogs with the lowest deductible, highest reimbursements, and fastest claim turnaround.

Be sure your regular vet is part of the network, as well. Otherwise, you would need to take your furry friend to a different clinic. Fortunately, most pet insurance companies have a broad selection of covered veterinarian services.

5 Effective Maltipoo Care Tips That Every Owner Must Know

Maltipoos are cute little dogs that are very soft and playful. Here are a few requirements that the owner who pets a Maltipoo needs to keep in mind. They have more or less average exercise needs and they do not need very high levels of activity as well. 

Given their size and functioning, average activity levels will ideally suffice but that should be very intensive. Let’s say its regular demand for exercise can be fulfilled by practicing for less than 40 minutes per day. So, in reference to that, the walking mileage of every week should be somewhat around 3 to 5 miles. 

Moreover, it is an extremely playful dog and should not be forced by any means. Deeply furry as it is, it needs a very high grooming frequency as well. However, this cute doggo has no inclination to either drool or snore. It does bark pretty well and is not really a great digger. 

It is therefore evident that while on one hand, these doggos have quite some pros, as an owner you also have to know some essential tips for taking adequate care for your dog. 

Remember a Maltipoo needs a lot of social importance. It won’t be happy if it is not being made the centre of attraction or attention. However, just like you have ample entertainment opportunities in Texas, so does your dog! Following are compiled a few effective measures that will help the owner in taking proper care of their Maltipoo.

1. Removing items from your home that might be dangerous for the pup

As Maltipoos are playful, they take something out of pure fun and swallow it which might face dangerous consequences. Vets have often said from experience that dogs swallow fish hooks, coins, candy wrappers, headphones, sewing needles, thimbles, adhesives, even knives, coins, buttons,- not to mention socks, toys, rubber geese, etc. 

Such dangerous items like metals, electrical gadgets, and adhesives can be fatal for dogs. Electric sockets should also be checked such that the pup is never electrocuted. Removing these items will make the home much safer, especially for the times when you leave your dog alone.

2. Healthcare depends on climate too

Maintenance of regular healthcare and hygiene is very important. One should not wait for the dog to become sick to reach out to a vet but pay regular visits to ensure the dog’s proper functioning. Saving for the dog’s medical aids and insurances become very important. Even if one saves 1 dollar a day, it should be sufficient. If you love your dog really, that is nothing! 

However, the health of your dog also depends on the surrounding climatic conditions. Maltipoos cannot survive a hot climate and it can cause your pet to fall ill frequently or even worse. Places like Salt Lake city or Monahans in Texas have a very high temperature with a desert climate which is not suitable for maltipoos. These dogs can however stand cold temperatures up to 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pet insurances should be sought and properly verified to be of some usage during an unforeseen accident. Health issues of Maltipoos, and dogs in general are important and should never be postponed. There are a number of policies regarding pet insurance in Texas which you can opt for your dog and ensure its well being. 

3. Proper grooming and Maintenance of hygiene

The vets often provide personalized information for Maltipoo grooming. Cleaning teeth is very important. Brushing their teeth, every day, without any skip can prevent a number of health issues. Most Maltipoos are fine with brushes which have bristles on three sides. Along with this, after intervals, the doggo must be taken to the vet for a complete dental checkup of it.

 Since it has dense flowing fur, either trimming or clipping them on a bimonthly basis is important. Ears should be cleaned once every month. Nails should be cut every week. As and when required, tear stain cleaning must be undergone. Finally, much to the doggo’s disgust and slithering away, a good bath with soap now and then is very important.

4. Ensuring ample exercise

Exercise can help the your pup live a full maltipoo lifespan by keeping them physically fit and also enriches its mental health as well as enhances emotional experiences. You should additionally be focused on ensuring that your Maltipoo gets adequate exercise even during the lockdown to stay fit. When you are in Texas, you need not worry about this. There are a number of dog parks which maintain top notch hygiene. Thus, you can easily take your doggo for a walk to these parks. 

It is an extraordinary way to give a dog social training such that it doesn’t jump or bark causelessly. It keeps the dog engaged and effectively reduces its restlessness which might stem from monotony. It prevents a wide spectrum of diseases and develops cardiac muscles and capacity. 

It makes ligaments and tendons stronger as well as increases oxygen circulation to the tissues, thereby developing and maintaining the muscles as well as the bone structure. Smoking around a Maltipoo pup is also absolutely prohibited for its health and disposition.

5. Getting a proper dog-seat

A seat should be chosen that is at once strong as well as has longevity. If the Maltipoo has a habit of hovering around all over the place, a mesh seat partially restricting its movements all the while might be helpful. It should always be ensured that the buckle is properly positioned for the dog’s safety.

In conclusion

It is evident that there are a number of things that an owner needs to consider to ensure the proper well-being of his Maltipoo. Amongst various other measures, all dedicated pet lovers should make sure that their dogs are able to receive all the love and care they need and are treated just like a family member.

How To Set Up Your Home For A New Dog

Adopting a dog comes with responsibilities as you want to keep your companion in good health and safety. To make your new dog happy, you need a dog room designed with good features. Here are some ideas to prepare your home for a new dog. 

Planning a Room for a New Dog in the Home

Getting a dog is an exciting experience as you introduce a new friend into your life. Whether you have one dog or several, you should provide a comfy space that your pets can call home. There are many dog room ideas you can explore that will help you design and build a good shelter for your new dog. If you’re preparing to receive a new dog, here are some tips you could implement to prepare your home. 

Gather Supplies 

Besides exploring house plans with a dog room, you should gather supplies needed in advance. Prepare the items your new dog will need to be happy. Some of the things you should get include a martingale or flat-buckle collar, identification tag, food and water bowls, and some toys. 

When buying toys, look for items the dog cannot swallow, such as Nylabones. Also, consider getting an appropriately-sized crate or pet playpen that’s enough for the dog to stand up and turn around. 

If you have information on the kind of food the dog eats, buy a bag and keep it to maintain consistency in their diet. Of course, you can always change their diet on the road, but this should be a gradual process. 

Where to Make the Dog Room 

While outside is considered a dog’s domain, you should also consider indoor dog room ideas. There should be a designated spot inside the house that they will be comfortable in when leaving your dog alone. Here are some ideas you could try out if you want to create a warm space for your dog.  

1. Under the Stairs 

Some of the ideas available include having the dog room under stairs, as this space is often left idle. You can build a lovely house for the dog. While building the dog house under the stairs, ensure it’s slightly elevated from the floor to give your pet warmth and prevent water from entering. 

A raised floor is good for the cold months. Explore different ideas available on the internet to find inspiration and get started with the project. Mostly, you’ll need drywall, so also understand how that material can be used, especially if the space is prone to getting wet. 

Be creative with the doorway because this is the part that you and guests see first. If the door is unattractive, it can wear on you quickly. Focus on friendly, whimsical touches that will give the space a personal touch that makes it feel at home. Ensure to include a dog bed.  

2. In the Laundry Room 

Also, you can double up your laundry room by adding a comfy dog bed and the dog’s favorite toys. This allows you to create a multi-use room. You could convert one of the cabinets to a sleeping zone if there’s a pre-existing shelf. Remove the cabinets’ doors to create a space where the dog can enter and leave without requiring your assistance. Of course, you also need to consider the risk of getting wet in this area, so you, if it’s necessary, make the dog room elevated. 

3. In the Mudroom

The mudroom is not just a drop zone for jackets and shoes. It can also be the perfect spot to place a dog kennel or discreetly store lashes, chew toys, and food. If there’s an extra bedroom and you look to adopt several dogs, you can convert it to your dog room for the pets. 

4. Attic or Basement Space 

If there’s a large room sitting free, there are endless indoor dog room ideas you could explore. Basements and attics and areas that serve as flex rooms will offer an open space for your pet to run. Such areas can be perfect for your dog to relax during the day. Just ensure there’s enough padding to protect the pet from adverse weather. 

5. Pick a Corner 

Sometimes you don’t have an entire room you could dedicate to your pup. With different corners in your house, you can identify the most suitable spot or find a dog closet where you can hang up their seasonal sweaters, their collars, and store winter boots. 

Tips for Designing and Organizing a Dog Room 

Whether your dog is small or big, you require a lot of stuff. Also, have tools like a ceramic electric kettle to help you prepare the dog’s meals. 

• Designate a Spot for Toys: Even if the pup doesn’t put things away, a designated toy storage area will help you stay organized. Bins and boxes are a good way to organize toys while making them accessible to the dog. 

• Install Hooks: Don’t waste time searching for the leash. Install hooks in the dog’s bedroom or by the door to make getting ready for routine walks easy. 

• Choose Strategic Colors: Among dog room decorating ideas you could implement include adding the right colors to the dog play room. Dogs see color, so find stimulating colors for your dog room décor. Explore apps like Dog Vision HD to pick the right colors.  

• Pick the Perfect Bed: While you may focus a lot on exploring how to dog proof a room, it’s essential to find the perfect bed for your dog. Set the mood in the room with a comfy bed. For multiple pets, you can build a DIY bunk bed. 

• Add a Grooming Station: In your senior dog gathering room, you can add a small pet grooming area. This will help you keep the pet smelling fresh. It gives a spot to clean up muddy paws and makes bath time a breeze. 

Preparing for receiving a new dog is an exciting process as you get to put your ideas into action. It includes finding the perfect spot to place the dog’s house. You also spend time looking for essentials like a comfy dog bed and foods the dog enjoys. 

How did you prepare your home to receive your new dog? Leave a comment below. 

Author’s Bio:

Kevin is a content writer for about 3 years. He studied Design and Arts at College in Pennsylvania. A fan of home interior design and, he has taken it upon himself to spread his love for decorating homes by informing people on some of his ideas through his articles.

10 Tips to Make Your Home Pet-Friendly

Description: Have a pet snooping around your home and don’t want it to get into anything that could hurt it? That means you have to make your home as pet-friendly as possible. Here are stylish, yet pet-proof home improvements. You and your furry friend will love them!

Home sweet home! Do you think it’s not so “sweet” without your cute furball? Yes, having a pet is a fabulous and totally rewarding experience! We, pet lovers, are ready to do just about anything for our furry, feathered, or finned friends, and keeping them healthy and happy is our high priority. Therefore, when we buy a new home or plan to renovate the old one, we have to design it smartly with our animals in mind. 

Yes, creating a comfortable space, choosing home furnishings & decor that will be both stylish and pet-proof isn’t that easy. However, with the right planning, materials, and essential tools for home, it’s totally possible! 

We love pets and have already upgraded our houses and yards to make them more convenient and safer for our pooches. Today, we want to share our experience with you.

So, here are our ten top tips that will help to make your home base a pet-friendly paradise for you and your four-legged friend.

1. Keep Your Home Safe

Creating the safest home for you and your pet must be your high priority. It means that in addition to getting good home insurance, there are hundreds of things to consider that could pose a risk to your four-legged friend. You should do some research to find out what is really dangerous for the particular type of pet. For example, certain plants are hazardous to animals - if a cat eats a lily, its kidneys can shut down. 

Here some general things every pet owner must consider to make sure the animal stay safe and healthy: 

• Use childproof latches on bathroom and kitchen cupboards to prevent pets from getting to chemicals and foods that can cause harm to them.

• Keep medications, chemicals, and breakable items on high shelves, so that your pet can’t get dangerous stuff.

• Keep garbage can covered, and store it in a closet, cabinet, or outdoors. There is a collection of old foods, small indigestible pieces, hazardous chemicals that can be very harmful to pets. 

• Make sure to put up blockades to prevent your pet from getting trapped behind large units like a fridge, washing machine, dryer, air conditioning, etc. 

• Some foods cause digestive problems in animals, plus a wrapper can also present a choking hazard. So, keep all foods behind a closed door.  

• Small animals can drown in the toilet. To prevent this, keep the toilet lid down.

• Avoid dangling wires from TV, lamps, gaming systems, etc. Pets may get hurt if they chew on wires. 

• Be sure to research if your houseplants aren’t hazardous to your pet. Watch your four-legged friends not to chew the following plants: Tulips, English Ivy, Chrysanthemum, Yew, Oleander, Azaleas, Lilies.

• Ensure to put away all threads and strings, they can be very dangerous for animals. 

• Keep your shoes and laundry in proper bins or a closet since small pieces like zippers and buttons are choking hazards. 

• Do not buy rugs that have high loops - pets can get hooked by claws and hurt themselves.

• There are so many cats that fall out of windows! So, if you really need to open windows, install screens. Window guards are not adequate protection since cats can easily fit through bars.

• The smell and taste of antifreeze are very appealing to cats and dogs. Unfortunately, about 10.000 pets die yearly due to antifreeze poisoning from as little as a drop. So, use it carefully and clean up any spills or drips immediately. 

  2. Keep Your Home Clean

An important part of making your home pet-friendly is keeping it clean even with cats and dogs running around. The tips below will help do it easily and quickly: 

• Try to hide pet hair - if you have a white pet, think about going with lighter colors in your home decor. If you have a black animal, consider darker colors. Easy-peasy!

• Be prepared for accidents - ensure to have a good cleaner that will wash and disinfect pet waste and other messes.  

• Groom your pet, it’ll help reduce the amount of pet fur around the house. 

• Get a good vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air filter. It’ll be better at picking up animal hair.

• Have enough lint removers to get rid of fur from your clothes before you go out. 

• Keep a plastic mat under the pet’s bowls to make cleaning spills easier. You can also keep bowls elevated, this way you’ll avoid having unwelcome critters from getting into the pet’s food. 

• Always wipe off the pet’s paws before you let it in your house. It’ll help keep the home cleaner. 

  3. Choose Upholstery Wisely

When it comes to home design, upholstery is one of the most important decisions. Think carefully about upholstery materials and do some research to find out how likely they are to collect fur. Do avoid fabrics like chenille, velour, corduroy, mohair, and velvet - they are a magnet for pet hair. Besides, pet owners should steer clear of delicate materials like silk, since they can be easily damaged by the little friends. 

Consider investing in quality upholstery that can withstand the test of claws. Opt for high-quality synthetic fabrics, leathers, or smooth tapestries. 

4. Choose The Right Furniture

Another crucial home edit is new furniture. Avoid wooden furnishings with exposed rattan or wicker - excitable puppies will see it as their new favorite teething toy and cats will find it a perfect scratching post! Go for chrome and metal furniture and provide your teether with other toys. 

If you have a cat, give it something to scratch. This way, you’ll lessen the number of new marks on the sofa, trim, or carpet. It would be great to set up scratching posts in several areas in your home. 

5. Invest In A Pet-Friendly Flooring

Home living with your pet will be much more convenient if you choose easy-to-clean, non-slip flooring. With proper flooring, you’ll make your life easier during the early months when your pet is learning to toilet-train or is old and has a hard time standing up. You’ll also appreciate an easy-to-clean floor when the days are rainy and muddy. 

So, what materials to choose? Opt for ceramic tiles, stone, or laminate. Avoid hardwood floors since they dent, scratch and stain easily. Carpets are also a no-no for pet owners - they gather fur, stain, and smell. You’ll just hate cleaning those carpets! 

6. Consider Wall Texture

Do not overlook walls! They can really become a headache to clean if you haven’t considered their texture. Remember that highly textured walls will attract pet fur, even if your four-legged friend doesn't rub against them. Choose satin or semi-gloss paint, it’ll help to repel fur and keep walls clean. 

7. Invest In a Comfortable Pet Bed

A high-quality pet bed is one of the essential home goods for every caring pet parent. It creates a cozy space for your furball to relax, unwind and recharge after a busy day of play. 

When you choose a pet bed, consider your home decor. Don’t put a

traditional tartan couch into a fashionable, sleek apartment, instead, opt for a more contemporary design that will improve the rest of the interior. 

8. Create A Playzone For Your Pet

While you are making important home choices, you should also think about what and where you’ll let your pet do. Positively reinforcing your animal’s behavior and organizing a dedicated space in your home where it can chase balls, roll excitedly around and play tug of war will definitely protect your belongings. However, don’t let your energetic pet run riot around the entire house.  

9. Provide Your Pet with Healthy Chew Toys

Pets, especially puppies, need stuff they can play with and chew on. To make sure they won’t gnaw your home essentials, provide them with durable, high-quality toys, snouts, hooves, and other pet-friendly chewing snacks. However, some toys can pose a choking hazard, e.g., rope toys. So, check all items before you leave your furry, little friend with them. 

10. Make Your Yard Pet-Friendly

If you let your furball out into the garden, tick and flea prevention isn't the only concern. You'll have to decide whether you need to add structures and install invisible fences. Additionally, you’ll have to detect toxic plants in your landscape. Do read the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database before you put something in the ground. It’s a comprehensive database of plants that are dangerous to cats, dogs, and even horses. Some of the most hazardous plants for pets include azaleas, daffodils, daylilies, some ferns, and ivies, so avoid planting them in your garden. Animal-friendly plants are bamboo and, of course, catnip. 

Furthermore, insecticides and fertilizers are known as pet poisons, so it would be wise to try organic gardening - you and your lovely little friend will only win from it. 

Home is where the heart is, and it must be as comfortable and cozy as possible! However, our beloved bushy tails and clumsy paws cause lots of accidents. So, we, pet parents, have to make plenty of special considerations to create a safe and healthy home for us and our furry friends. Hopefully, our post will help you to design a perfect environment for both of you! 

Bio:

Archie was a builder for more than 40 years. Mainly after his retirement the enthusiastic electrical works in garden and writes for a blog Homemakerguide.com to keep himself occupied. His many years of experience can get you the right tool reviews whether it is a drill, welding machine or so. An impressive fact to note about him is that almost everything in his house is a representation of his skills made by his hands. 

Picture Source (delete if not required from your side):

https://unsplash.com/photos/EbV9cE1EiEU

Recommended Maltipoo Outfits & Apparel

Maltipoos are small dogs and it can be fun to dress them up in clothing and accessories to make them look adorable as you carry them around town with you. Along with looking stylish, clothing can help keep your Maltipoo warm in cold weather and shoes can protect the paws from the heat as well as the cold that can burn and crack their tender pads.

Because Maltipoos have a single coat of hair, layering them with a sweater or vest can help so much while out in the cold weather. Maltipoos are more vulnerable to weather changes than the bigger breeds so you should try to avoid bringing your Maltipoo out in severe weather. However if there is a need to go out in the weather, a good coat is all you need to make your Maltipoo more comfortable.

If you live in an area that has cold, harsh winters, clothing will be helpful for keeping your Maltipoo comfortable enough to be willing to go outside. This is great when it comes to house training or staying outside long enough to maintain his exercise requirements.

Below are some great options for keeping your Maltipoo warm out in the cold weather.

Your Maltipoo’s paws should be protected as well. You do have the option to choose between shoes and paw wax. If you do decide to go with paw wax, be sure to choose a good quality option.

Another thing to think about is using a harness. The toy Poodle and the Maltese are prone to collapsed trachea so this means that the Maltipoo will be at risk for this as well.

It is a genetic weakness in the trachea rings. The most common way for this to develop is when a dog is on leash with just a collar on. Any tugging, lunging, etc. puts all pressure onto the dog's neck and this can wear on the cartilage rings or in some cases, cause a sudden collapse. You can avoid this and keep your Maltipoo happy and healthy by using a harness when on leash. It helps to disperse the pressure across a dog's chest, back and shoulders and keeps any force and tension away from the neck.

You can look for clothing that has a harness connector hole sewn into the back of the garment. It looks like a button hole. This way, your puppy or dog can wear his regular harness, with his coat on top. This will allow you to easily attach the leash.

Along with all of these necessities, it is also fun to include things likes bows, handkerchiefs, swimsuits for the summer etc.