Help me Maltese dog owners!! Help me please!! Thanks so much!!?

OkayI'm about to have a dog in just a few weeks and it's a Maltese!! Horay!So what are some tips or advice?Like1. How often should I bathe it?2. Is it okay for the dog to live in a very hot place?3. What are the red things near their eyes?? It looks like stains or something4. Is it pretty much easy to take care of for a 10-year old girl?5. Any more advice?Poll: What's a much better name, Sophie or Colbie?And she's gonna be a girl

1. How often should I bathe it? No more often then once a month2. Is it okay for the dog to live in a very hot place? Maltese are indoor dogs, there short noses means they cannot breath properly, and cannot regulate there body temperature. Also being mainly white dogs, there white coat will be prone to sunburn leading to skin cancer/tumors. 3. What are the red things near their eyes?? It looks like stains or something. the red strains are often tear stain and in a young pup, that can be sign of health issues, a 8week old pup should not have red tear stains, which means he may have consistent problems with tear duck problems which means extra vet bills4. Is it pretty much easy to take care of for a 10-year old girl? Maltese are pretty low energy dogs, but the GROOMING is pretty intensive, as there low shedding coat matts and will become a mattered mess if not brushed daily, and clipped every 3-4months. Also regardless of size, dogs are expensive, and i doubt a 10year old girl would have enough money for any dog. and regardless of size, dogs NEED and REQUIRE obedience trainning and socialisation. Puppies SHOULD not be left home anymore then 2hours until 12months old, then once they are 12month old, there considered adults, and can be left home alone max 8hours. However for a maltese, i do not recommend them if your out of the house all of the time. Maltese are companion breed, and really require there owner to be home 90 percent of the time, with a 10year old girl, i doubt you'll have alot of time with school commitments. Cost of owning a dog 1st yearPurchase Price=$1000Food=$500Vacinations=$150Vet bills=$400Spay/neuter=200Bed=$150Treats=$100Chew bones=$150Bowls=$25Collar=$20Leash=$20Trainning=$450Fence=$1500Vitamins=$75Flea Control=$200Heartworm=$100Shampoo=$25Grooming=$400Grooming Tools=$250Dental Care=$40Stain Cleaner=$75Waste Disposal=$50Trainning aids=$300Deworming=$30Boarding=200Crate=$150Car Restraint=$100Approx 1 year cost =6,600Approx yearly cost $2485.00Total over the life of a 14 year old dog $38,905.005. Any more advice? Research loads of breed, don't just get a dog because you think it cute or you think it easy. NEVER ever buy a puppy from a petstore. Also think of adopting/rescue or reptuable breeder, and NEVER buy a puppy behind your parents back, no matter how desperate you are. Buying a puppy behind your parents back doesn't show your responsible, it shows your irresponsible and no where ready for the challenges of dog ownershipNow some question you should ask yourselfTHE RESPONSIBILITIES OF DOG OWNERSHIPHowever, if you are interested in getting a dog for the RIGHT reasons, please ask yourself the following 10 questions, prior to selecting a breed and breeder or visiting your local shelter or rescue facility:1) Are you, and all those who live with you, committed to spend 15+ years providing health care, food, grooming, training and attention to a dog? Do the people who live with you also want a dog?2) Do you have the time and/or resources available . . . To take your dog for walks and to the vet? To bath, brush, clip, and, otherwise, groom your dog as often as necessary? Will you want to play and, perhaps, work on training daily, with your dog? Are you willing to take your dog to puppy socialization, kindergarten, and basic obedience classes?3) Are there lifestyle-altering events that could occur in your foreseeable future? - A baby, caring for an elderly family member, a divorce, job uncertainty, University etc. And, how would you deal with these changes as they impacted your ability to care for a dog?4) Is your personality conducive to dog ownership? Do you often feel 'stressed out'? Do you like to have total control over your environment or 'space'? Are you a 'neat freak'? Are you flexible? Patient? Answer honesty - nobody but you will know AND, more importantly, nobody but you will have to live with the results of your trying to 'fit' your personality to a dog.5) Are you physically able to care for a dog? Are you economically able to provide care for a dog?6) Is your environment prepared for a dog and/or are you willing to make the investment of time and money necessary to insure that it does? Is there a yard or park-like area for your dog to walk and relieve him- or her- self? Is your yard, or a portion of it, fenced? If your dog will be outside for any period of time, will you provide a secure and comfortable shelter for your dog? Although you may have a secure and comfortable location for your dog while it is outdoors, dog should not be left outdoors, unattended, for extended periods of time. They can be taunted, released, stolen, or worse. Tethering can cause serious physical harm or death in the event of an entanglement or other such accident. Further, prolonged tethering can cause undesirable behavioral and personality traits to surface. Additionally, garages may contain chemicals, tools and other items that can be dangerous and/or harmful to your dog.7) Will your dog be alone for long periods of time, daily? Can you arrange for the dog to be let out for a romp, given water, medication, and playtime, as necessary, during the day? Or, will you become angered and frustrated by behavioral issues that may arise due to the fact that your dog is alone for long periods of time? (i.e., relieves him or herself indoors; chews up a blanket, your shoes, your favorite chair cushion; barks incessantly, causing your neighbors to become angry or, perhaps, even call animal control on you; etc. Do not plan to leave your dog outdoors or in a garage all day while you are away! If this is in your plans, I suggest you revisit the question "Why do I/We want a dog?"8) Are you willing to spay/neuter your dog, as soon as possible, to reduce the chance of an accidental breeding?9) Do you travel frequently? Will it be difficult for you to find quality care for your dog when you are away?10) Do you really LOVE dogs? If you are truly motivated by your love of dogs, or a particular dog, you most likely don't need this page. You've done your homework and are ready for a lifelong commitment. You will train and play with your dog, provide appropriate veterinary care and nutrition, you will bath and groom him or her, happily, and the occasional behavioral problem won't throw you for a loop. If this is the case, please visit the other related sections of the library for helpful articles on breed or mix selection, puppy or adult?, adoption or breeder, finding a breeder, preparation for your dog, training care, and more.Please watch these vidoes on the cruelty in pet storeshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itOtk47QnS4http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HM8UmHM8Uohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bvSCbOh4YIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4JaIMBtPB8http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HF9OpEThM7Ehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDGlWTWrWBwhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpPYfKXgU0Mhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYEhgMO89Ighttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLccL9Yi3J4

I had a maltese and he was a sweet little dog. His name was "Wynslow". He could be a brat from time to time. But they have their own personalities like we all do. Bathing him, I did when he smelled like a dog. As for the heat. I live in South Florida, we have A/C everywhere. In the hot summer months you can always have her shaved down. The coat grows back quickly.Both names are cute, but Sophie is a better name for a girl. Colbie for a boy. Oprah named one of her dogs Sophie. Good Luck

Wow congrats, most people have babies, but you are having a dog. Bart Simpson said don't have a cow man, but I guess that still isn't anything like giving birth to a dog.You are 10 years old you should not be on yahoo because the terms if service says you must be at least 13.