CONDITIONING THE COAT. I/I 



muscles should be firmly grasped, kneaded and rolled for 

 the purpose of stimulating, enlarging and hardening them. 

 This rubbing up and down and massage ruffles the hair, 

 and of course the same must be brushed and hand rubbed 

 its way until the coat is right. 



There must not be any mistake in this matter. The 

 thighs of dogs only like those stated should be rubbed 

 both ways, while all others should be brushed and rubbed 

 always the one way — with, not against, the hair. 



Special precautions against fleas should be taken in the 

 kennels of dogs that are being put right for shows, for 

 these dogs must not be washed any oftener than abso- 

 lutely necessary for cleanliness. And it is well to add 

 that excepting when they get badly soiled in their runs it 

 will scarcely be required more than two or three times 

 during the entire period of training or conditioning if they 

 are faithfully groomed every day. Nor will it be advisa- 

 ble after the first thorough work of extermination to use 

 any of the powerful flea destroyers in the form of liquids 

 or soaps which contain much carbolic acid, alcohol or 

 strong alkalies, for these might prove prejudicial to the 

 skin and hair. 



In fact it will be well to rely if possible on insect pow- 

 der, and this ought to prove effective with good groom- 

 ing, which alone renders fleas very uncomfortable and 

 leads them to seek other victims that are less well cared 

 for. 



But the dog's quarters and bedding should be scrupu- 

 lously clean always, and the former frequently treated to 

 the most powerful destroyers, the liquids being chosen if 

 the weather is such that speedy drying will follow their 

 use, while insect powder must be depended upon under 

 other conditions ; and this should be blown into all cracks 

 and crannies every two or three days. 



