Care of Puppies 33 



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

 urpose, a young animal should be chosen. There is, 

 f course, an increased danger of loss from death, 

 specially if the puppy has not yet had dog distemper; 

 ut it is a great advantage to get acquainted with the 

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

 [•actable. Puppies, as a rule, are weaned at four to 

 ix weeks old. After weaning they should be fed fresh 

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

 ry crusts or a small amount of dog-cake may be soaked. 

 I piece of bread or dog- cake may also be given dry 

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

 Q small pieces that they can swallow whole. Long- 

 laired puppies and kittens get the hair about the 

 aouth dirty and matted with the food they eat. The 

 larts should be carefully washed, else the skin may 

 ecome sore. If possible to avoid it, puppies should 

 .ot be washed all over until they are half grown. 



When it is necessary to wash puppies or kittens, 

 se warm water and apply it with. a sponge or soft 

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

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

 aired puppies are six to eight months old, they may 

 e washe5, using soft, warm water and a mild soap, 

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

 nothing action on the skin, and have a tendency to 

 •ee the dog of vermin. After washing, the soap 

 in be rinsed out and the hair dried by rubbing with 

 oths or by allowing the animal to roll in clean straw 

 1 a sunny place. 



It is important that puppies and their quarters be 



