It is best to purchase child gates to secure your pup in a room that provides a safe environment. Select the room where you can watch him all the time. If you are not watching your puppy, put him into his crate or exercise pen. Follow this procedure until your puppy has finished his teething stage and is housetrained for at least two weeks or more. Yes, that means several months.

If there are items that you do not want to move and your puppy is finding very chewable, you can spray them with a chew repellent. Chew repellents can be purchased at most pet stores or from a catalog. There are a number of products on the market and some work better than others. A firm “NO” when pup starts to chew is also a good idea and the start of obedience training.

Hazards that may be missed are garbage and trash receptacles in the kitchen and waste paper baskets in bedroom and bath. Baby locks can work to prevent access to under counter cabinets and open waste containers should be placed high in rooms where the pup will not have access to them. Keeping the puppy in a confined area is the best preventative-and older dogs will be tempted by garbage.

Among the greatest hazards to a pup are the exits from your home. Maltese are very fast and often not very obedient so doors should be carefully closed and children must be taught not to hold the door open or the pup will escape. Maltese are very attached and want to follow their owner and will slip out of the door unnoticed. A fenced yard is a requirement. Add the words “Sit” and “Stay” to your early home training and require the pup to be in position before opening the door, once he has learned these commands. Later add “Come” so if your puppy does escape your Maltese will come on command. Always train saying “Come” with a high pitched happy voice followed with a treat. It must be fun and rewarding to come.

Carefully walk your entire fence line. Look for loose or broken boards that may provide an escape route for your puppy. Make sure there are no gaps under the fence providing escape from your yard. Even a small space of 2-4 inches can allow a young dog to get free. Check to see that each gate latches securely every time. Then make sure all gates are secured and your children, gardeners, or anyone else with access to your backyard knows to close and latch each gate every time they enter or leave your property. This is extremely important for the safety and protection of your new puppy. If you are still unsure about your fence and gates being able to confine your puppy, never let the puppy out in your backyard without being on a leash and being supervised. Or you can set up a large safe play area by putting two exercise pens together and placing the ex-pens either on your patio, lawn or a combination of both areas. Even in ex-pens and fences, supervision is important because Maltese are great climbers.

You need to take extra care if you have a swimming pool that the puppy can fall into. Swimming pools can be very attractive to a curious pup. (Yes, this is the same pup that hates to have a bath!) He might not realize that he cannot “walk on water” or he may accidentally fall in while playing too closely around the pool. Most Maltese can swim but cannot get out of the pool so they tire and then drown. Maltese can generally squeeze though rod iron pool fences so don’t get a false sense of security.

Many plants in your yard may be poisonous to dogs. If you are unsure if the plant that your puppy has eaten is poisonous, call your Vet or the Animal Poison Control Center. Also watch for Bees, Wasps and poisonous Spiders. If your puppy has been stung or bitten take your Maltese immediately to your Vet. If you are not close to your vet always have Baby Benadryl on hand to give to your puppy. Do not bring your puppy into an environment with fleas since some Maltese are very allergic to fleabites. I suggest using a monthly spot on product that repels fleas, ticks mites and mosquito’s. They all can impair the health of your puppy.

There is an unpleasant topic that may be as much a hazard to the owners mental well being as to the puppy’s health-and that is that dogs (young and old) are sometimes poop eaters. Some Maltese are guilty of this nasty habit. There are products available from vets to discourage it but they rarely work. The only sure way to prevent it is to follow behind the dog and pick up what has been deposited. This should be done regardless, for the sake of sanitation. No one really knows why this happens and it does not seem to harm the dog, but do not be surprised if your beloved little Maltese has a little dessert now and then.

One other hazard is the danger of a fire while you are away form home. Most fire companies and other sources have stickers called pet locators, that can be attached to the window or door where the pet can be found while you are away.

Above all else, enjoy your new puppy in the safe environment you created for him. Remember to supervise your puppy closely when you first bring him home to make sure you have not missed something dangerous to his safety. One last word of warning is to NEVER leave your puppy in your backyard when you are not at home to supervise him. You could come home and find him missing or badly injured. NEVER leave your puppy in your car alone. Please take care to ensure his safety whether you are home or away.