28 THE CARE OF YOUNG PUPPIES 



have many troubles, hmt occasionally they will suffer 

 from colic, the symptoms of which are easily made 

 apparent by the constant moaning of the little 

 sufferers. Laudanum is the best specific, one drop 

 of which for each week of life may safely be ad- 

 ministered every three hours in half a teaspoonful 

 of water with the chill taken off. Beyond seeing 

 that the mother does her duty to the puppies, giving 

 them plenty of warmth and fresh air, and observing 

 strict rules of cleanliness, little else need be done 

 until towards the end of the third week ; by that 

 time first lessons in feeding themselves should be 

 implanted, a little lukewarm milk being given two 

 or three times a day in a saucer. When you first 

 put their noses into the liquid there will be a good 

 deal of spluttering and fuss, but in a short time 

 the young hopefuls know what is expected of them, 

 and begin to clamour when they see you coming. 

 The natural nutriment from the mother may thus be 

 supplemented in increasing quantity until the fifth 

 or sixth week, when all indications point to the fact 

 that the time for weaning is approaching. The dam 

 will Show more and more a disposition to absent 

 herself from the attentions of her too exacting off- 

 spring. Her milk supply will probably diminish con- 

 siderably, and her udders may be rendered sore by 

 the scratches from the sharp claws of the eager 

 whelps. Even if the mother has plenty of milk, the 

 quality is likely to be poor after the sixth week, when 

 therefore it will be a good thing to begin feeding 

 in real earnest. From this date onwards until the 

 fifth or sixth month is reached much care will have 

 to be exercised if you wish to grow the puppies to 

 the greatest perfection, and for show purposes this 



