Care of Puppies 33 



If one wishes a dog to break or train for a special 

 purpose, a j'oung animal should be chosen. There is, 

 of course, an increased danger of loss from death, 

 especially if the puppy has not yet had dog distemper; 

 but it is a great advantage to get acquainted with the 

 puppy, and to begin to break him while he is still 

 tractable. Puppies, as a rule, are weaned at four to 

 six weeks old. After weaning they should be fed fresh 

 milk diluted one -third with boiled water. In this milk 

 dr}^ crusts or a small amount of dog-cake may be soaked. 

 A piece of bread or dog -cake maj^ also be given dry 

 for them to gnaw on, but it should not be supplied 

 in small pieces that they can swallow whole. Long- 

 haired puppies and kittens get the hair about the 

 mouth dirty and matted with the food they eat. The 

 parts should be carefully washed, else the skin may 

 become sore. If possible to avoid it, puppies should 

 not be washed all over until they are half grown. 



When it is necessary to wash puppies or kittens, 

 use warm water and apply it with a sponge or soft 

 rag. Avoid immersing the animal in a cold bath, as 

 it is likely to cause a nervous shock. After long- 

 haired puppies are six to eight months old, they may 

 be washed, using soft, warm water and a mild soap. 

 Some of the tar soaps are excellent, as they have a 

 soothing action on the skin, and have a tendency to 

 free the dog of vermin. After washing, the soap 

 can be rinsed out and the hair dried by rubbing with 

 cloths or by allowing the animal to roll in clean straw 

 in a sunny place. 



It is important that puppies and their quarters be 



