The products I use on my Maltese coats are called Silk Basic by Pure Paws. This line is created for drop coats. The Silk Basic line is designed to make coats silky and more manageable. Silk is incorporated into this blend with Botanical Extracts and Herbs to create a conditioner that will penetrate the hair and skin to build a healthy, strong, shiny and manageable coat.   Order at: www.purepawsusa.com 

 Pure Paws shampoos and conditioners are concentrated and can be diluted 8 to 10 parts water to1 part shampoo depending on coat.  For puppies and short coats we recommend Brightening shampoo and moisturizing conditioner. I mix my product in an empty tint bottle which you can purchase at any beauty supply house. Place a non slip mat on the bottom of your kitchen sink and use your sprayer to rinse.

1. Wet coat and lather first shampooing with Silk Basic shampoo

1. Rinse and repeat

1. Apply Silk basic conditioner throughout the coat let sit for 2-3 min. I then put my Maltese on my grooming table and work through the coat while the conditioner is on with a tool called a wood rake. This is a tool that has two rows of teeth that come into a V shape. The teeth are long and wide apart which helps me work through the coat and any mats. If you run across a mat separate it with your fingers first then comb through with either a wood rake or a wide toothed metal comb. Use a smaller comb on the face to ensure you do not poke the eyes.

1. Rinse the entire coat, leaving some conditioner in the coat.

1. Towel blot well.

1. Take either your wide toothed metal comb or wood rake and again comb through the entire coat.

1. Use a pin brush, not the metal brushes with the balls on the tips and blow the coat in the direction it lays on a med setting. Keep the dryer 10-12 inches away from the skin. I have purchased several pin brushes over the years and the pin brush Pure Paws has created is by far my favorite. The brush has brass pins that are nickel coated so that they do not get hot when blow drying. The pins have polished rounded tips so they do not scratch. This makes brushing and grooming much more pleasurable for your pet. It also glides through the coat easier which makes brushing and grooming easier for you.

1. If your Maltese coat has some wave to it then I recommend using the Pure Paws slicker brush to help stretch out the coat

1. On the coats where I put the hair up in a top knot I give a quick spray of the Silk Basic Polishing Mist. This keeps that hair super silky so my band doesn't get tangled up in the hair, repeat a quick spray during the week as needed

1. In between baths if the coat starts pulling when you comb it then a light spray of the Silk Basic Illuminate shielding spray will re-smooth and condition the coat make brushing and combing easy

1. We recommend you bath your Maltese every 7-10 days