THE CARE OF PUPPIES 45 



strength is now becoming very heavy, and the waste of 

 tissue must necessarily be replaced. 



For three weeks from the date of birth the observance 

 of these simple details is usually all that is necessary. 

 About this time the puppies may be given their first 

 instruction in feeding themselves. 



This is best accomplished by filling a flat dish with fresh 

 cow's milk. There is no necessity to dilute it, since the 

 mother's milk is by far the stronger of the two, but it may 

 be judiciously sweetened by the addition of a little sugar. 

 Dip the tiny noses in the mixture, and let the puppies 

 lick it off. They won't take long to learn their lesson. In a 

 couple of days they will readily lap it by themselves. The 

 milk may then be supplemented with Mellin's or Benger's 

 food, given exactly according to the directions for feeding 

 human babies. 



At this period the mother may be allowed to sleep 

 alone, always having ready access to her family whenever 

 she requires relief. 



At the fifth week an addition may be made to the 

 puppy bill of fare in the shape of carefully prepared 

 gruel, Quaker Oats, or Flako. This latter preparation 

 is an invaluable variety of food at almost any period 

 of any dog's existence. 



About the sixth week the pups are practically inde- 

 pendent of their dam, whose milk is rapidly drying up, 

 and whose attentions are only necessary when she suffers 

 inconvenience from its presence. The little teeth and 



