34 The Care of Animals 



kept clean, in order to avoid injury from parasites. 

 Young dogs should be kept in roomy quarters where 

 they have access to a sunny yard, and a dry place in 

 which to sleep. It is best to keep but a few together 

 in one yard. Puppies are active animals and need 

 much exercise. It is a good plan to take them out- 

 side their quarters once or twice daily for exercise, but 

 they should not be taken very far, especially when 

 young. Dogs that are closely confined are likely to 

 lack vigor and suffer from indigestion, diseases of the 

 joints, and the like. Dogs that run wild are more 

 difficult to break and handle. 



When puppies get to be two months old a little 

 meat maybe given. It should not be supplied in large 

 pieces, for they are likely to swallow it without proper 

 mastication. Large bones compel the dog to gnaw the 

 meat off and are much better. When several puppies 

 are fed together, care should be exercised that the 

 stronger ones do not get more than their share. Again, 

 in feeding puppies in company with old dogs, see that 

 the puppies secure their share of the food, and that 

 they are not bitten or injured by older ones. It is 

 much better to feed each animal by itself, so that it 

 will not be disturbed by others. 



When only a few dogs are kept, scraps from the 

 table furnish a variety of excellent food, especially 

 when a small amount of meat- gravy or drippings is 

 added. When there are many dogs, well -baked corn- 

 bread that has been slightly salted is an excellent and 

 economical addition to the diet. Dogs always should 

 be allowed all the clean water they want to drink. 



