DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT, 187 



severity. A loud word or a box on the ear may on some 

 occasions be required ; but on no account should a blow- 

 be given, or anything done to provoke the anger of the 

 animal. The mistress or master should never be present ; 

 for the cunning brute will take advantage of their fond- 

 ness, and sham so artfully that it will be useless to attempt 

 to proceed. 



I usually have no assistance, but carry the dog into a 

 room by itself ; and having spoken to it, or taken such 

 little liberties as denote my authority, I commence the 

 more serious part of the business. Amidst remonstrance 

 and expostulation, caresses and scolding, the work then 

 is got over ; but seldom so thoroughly that a little further 

 attention is not needed, which is given on the following 

 day. 



The incrustation on the dog's teeth, more especially on 

 the fangs, is often very thick. It is best removed by get- 

 ting the instrument between the substance and the gum ; 

 then with a kind of wrenching action snapping it away, 

 when frequently it will shell off in large flakes; the 

 remaining portions should be scraped, and the tooth 

 should afterwards look white, or nearly so. The instru- 

 ment may be used without any fear of injuring the enamel, 

 which is so hard that steel can make no impression on it ; 

 but there is always danger of hurting the gums, and as 

 the resistance of the dog increases this, the practitioner 

 must exert himself to guard against it. Some precaution 

 also will be necessary to thwart occasional attempts to 

 bite ; but a little practice will give all the needful protec- 

 tion, and those who are not accustomed to such operations 



