216 EVERYTHING ABOUT DOGS. 



the gum will ulcerate and become very painful, preventing the dog from eating, 

 and while in this off-of-feed condition, you may deem it proper to doctor him for 

 some imaginary illness when a little examination would show you the cause of 

 the trouble. 



Don't exercise your dog after a meal, nor yet just before it. How would you 

 like to run half a mile after a good feed ? 



Don't feed sloppy food to the dogs; that sort of stuff may be all right to fill 

 pigs with, but a dog's grinders were made for something more substantial. If you 

 are a father you will know it is customary to give teething babies something to 

 use their gums on. Puppies are four legged babies, and they require similar treat- 

 ment when teething. Chuck the puppy a bone or a biscuit and that will help the 

 grinders along. 



Don't think because you know what you wish your dog to do that he can grasp 

 your meaning off-hand and without effort on your part; dogs are intelligent, but 

 they are not clairvoyants. 



Dont' buy drugs in great quantities as they become inert or greatly deteriorate 

 by keeping, especially when exposed 'to light and air; therefore, buy such drugs 

 only in quantities for immediate use, and from those whose judgment in selection 

 and whose fair dealing can be depended on. 



Don't treat your dogs as simply so many animals that have to be fed and 

 housed. We can not understand keeping dogs under such conditions. Handle 

 your dogs, make friends wi'th them, because they are dogs. A man need never be 

 ashamed of loving a dog. The dog's whole-souled look of affection will repay the 

 man of feeling for all the trouble be may put himiself to in this direction, and it 

 will last longer than a good many other loves. If you want to win prizes with 

 them, accustom them to being handled and to show themselves off to the best 

 advantage. Nothing makes an owner look so foolish as to try and show a dog that 

 does not know him or that is "contrary." A good puppy is often placed back bo- 

 cause he is taken into the ring without any thought of preparation for thlfe trying 

 ordeal. Accustom your dogs to being shown up in collar and chain. They soon 

 grasp the idea, for their is vanity in dogs as well as human beings. 



Don't wash puppies when they are very young, unless they happen to get into 

 some filth that can not be removed when dry by the brush. Dom't wash puppies 

 until at least six months old. Grooming and "elbow grease" every day will im- 

 prove the coat and do more good than washing. 



Don't let your pup, or pups, get into the habit of barking violently, a most 

 tiresome trick, coming of idleness and not enough out door exercise, and also some- 

 times hereditary. 



Scold them, and keep a switch in the corner, for a nip now and then; they will 

 soon pay attention. 



