If you plan on using a flea collar (usually useless), you should wait until your Maltese is at least 16 weeks of age. Flea dips also should not be used until your pup reaches this age. Always read the label as to the precautions and limitations on these products. Make sure your trash cans, both in the house and outside, have a lid. Puppies could easily get a hold of a chicken or turkey bone. These bones are dangerous to your pup if swallowed and also could prove fatal. Around the Christmas holidays, many decorations such as Christmas balls are no more than crushed glass if broken. If you have a new puppy around, be on the safe side and purchase the ones that are not made of this material. They're available. Puppys have been known to try to eat a broken Christmas ornament causing serious cuts in their mouth. If you are a smoker or have cigarette butts in ash trays, caution should be exercised. Cigarette butts consumed by your puppy could easily lead to nicotine poisoning. Toilet bowl cleaners are toxic. Keep the lid closed as puppies may be tempted to drink out of them. Any type of medication need to properly stored in a medicine cabinet or just out of reach. Childproof containers are not enough as the bottle are usually plastic. Your pup would have no problem in getting his sharp teeth into the contents of that bottle. A young Maltese puppy is no different than a human baby. They shouldn't be allowed to go on high places without strict adult supervision. In a split second, they could fall or attempt to jump. A bed is too high in most cases for a 12 week old puppy and would surely break something or be seriously injured if they would fall at this height. These are only a few of the many hazards that might be in your home. A little commonsense will also go a long way in providing a safer home for your new Maltese pup.  .... back page Article taken from www.malteseonly.com