126 MY DOG AND I. 



do no harm. Constant and free access io ffes/i, cleaji water must 

 not be neglected. As soon as the dog has eaten all it desh-es, take 

 the uneaten food away, and do not let it remain to be nibbled at 

 during the day or night. 



Boiled hver is an admirable alterative, and one good meal of it 

 should be fed at least once a lueek. If you find your dog has no 

 appetite, don't try to coax or force it, but cease to offer it any 

 food whatever for at least twenty-four hours. A fast of forty-eight 

 hours will do it no Jianji in such cases, and total abstinence often 

 wards off sickness. Should it be disposed to eat grass or horse- 

 droppings, don't try to prevent it, as both are nature's mild remedy 

 for a disordered stomach. In short, feed your dog as you would 

 a human being, and the result will be satisfactory. The feeding 

 of meat does not in any way affect the scenting powers of a dog, 

 nor does it produce worms, distem23er, or kindred diseases, as so 

 often stated. Having used the foregoing diet both at home, with 

 my favorite dog, and at my kennels, where I have had as many 

 as ninety at one time, my experience with it for twenty years con- 

 vinces me that it cannot be improved upon, whether used for a 

 single dog or an entire pack. 



Puppies from time of weaning up to six months of age should 

 be fed four times daily, from six to nine months three times, and 

 after that age feed same as grown dogs ; they too thrive best on 

 diet as already described. Fresh raw minced meat is good, espe- 

 cially for puppies ; it strengthens them and tones the stomach. Give 

 freely of fresh milk and buttermilk, especially the latter, as it keeps 

 the stomach sweet. 



When puppies are about three weeks old they should be taught 

 to lap scalded milk (sweetened a Httle) by gently putting their noses 

 into it. They will instinctively lick it off, and after a few lessons 

 will soon lap eagerly. This is always a great relief to a nursing 

 mother, especially where the pups are vigorous or the litter large. 

 A little bread or rice added when they are about four weeks old 

 will do them a vast deal of good. Remember always, if you want 

 strong, healthy dogs, that as puppies they should be fed nutritious 

 food. 



Bitches in whelp and while nursing pups should be fed on a soft 

 or mushy diet, such as soups, porridge, etc., as it produces more 

 and better milk, and often prevents fevers. 



If you accompany your dogs to a show, and they are not ac- 

 customed to the usual food given there, it is always best to give 

 them scraps from a neighboring restaurant, as some dog-biscuits 

 cause excessive purging. There, too, they frequently become very 

 nervous, lose their appetites, and often take cold, resulting in 

 fevers ; so it is not a bad scheme during a show to give your set- 



