522 THE AMERICAN BOOK OF THE DOG. 



The above directions on training are simply a condensa- 

 tion of the admirable paper prepared by Mr. S. M. Cleaver, 

 of East Bethlehem, Penn. They are, however, sufficient to 

 qualify any good dog-handler with the faculty of teaching 

 dogs to train a Sheep Dog to any work that can be required 

 of him; and without "dog knack" nobody should attempt 

 the work. 



Remember that each lesson must be thoroughly learned 

 before the next is essayed, and always praise the dog when 

 he does anything well; above all things, never punish a dog 

 except for doing what he knows is wrong. 



The essentials for rearing puppies, whatever be the 

 breed, are exceedingly few and simple. In a general way, 

 we may say if one studies nature, profits by her teachings, 

 and applies her principles, he will meet all the require- 

 ments. But this is scarcely definite enough, and we will 

 go a little deeper into the subject. 



When a bitch is about to whelp, the fact is very evident 

 in her manner. She busies herself with her bedding, paw- 

 ing over her straw, placing and replacing the same. When 

 these manifestations appear, it may be assumed that whelp- 

 ing is likely to occur within twenty-four hours. It is 

 always best that a bitch at such an important time be in 

 quarters to which she has been accustomed; she is always 

 more or less uneasy for a time if a comparative stranger to 

 her surroundings. Yet she should be in a quiet place, safe 

 from intrusion from all but her master or mistress. This 

 matter of seclusion is so important it should be one of the 

 first considerations, and she must be guarded against acci- 

 dental blows or crushes. 



In cold weather, the room in which a bitch is whelping 

 should always be provided with plenty of soft, dry bedding, 

 and should be artificially heated. The temperature therein 

 should not fall below 60 Fahrenheit in the first week, 

 and it had best be kept up to 70 Fahrenheit during the 

 first twenty-four hours at least. The reason for this is 

 obvious the puppies are drenched with the amniotic fluid 

 when they come into the world, and the darn keeps them 



