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Dog Kennels.
Dog Kennels
Quite a number of the following have been written by Harry W. Lacy, Kennel Editor of the American Stock-keeper, which I have saved up and here reproduce, as well as "KENNEL DONT'S," the article that follows this. Very much benefit can be derived from these "SUGGESTIONS" and "DONT'S". A number of suggestions for the care of dogs have been made from time to time in "Notes for Novices" in Our Dogs, and in them there is a great deal to be learned in 'the way of detail by every novice who starts to keep a dog or dogs. Incessant watching for and proper attention 'to those little matters count for much more than one would think at first sight. But the experienced fancier knows the value of those extra attentions, and his knowledge can be seen in the general appearance of his dogs, whereas the new beginner is often too fond of leaving to servants and other disinterested persons matters which he should attend to himself. Take, for instance, the matter of feeding. How many dog owners there are (especially in the upper class of society) who never give the least attention to their dog's feeding, leaving it entirely to others, and only waking up now and again when something has gone wrong. Feeding, if left to any careless person who chances to be employed about the premises, is certain to be irregular and unsatisfactory, and every owner ought to consider it Irs bounden duty to superintend regularly the feeding of his dumb friends. Many dogs are given especially when hungry to "bolting" their food. This is a bad habit, and is sure to have an ill effect sooner or later. To prevent a dog from habitually doing this it is best to give him, before his proper meal, a hard, dry biscuit. This will take off, as it were, the edge of appetite and so, when the usual basin is given, it will be consumed more moderately. Large bones should be regularly given to dogs, because they act splendidly as cleaners to the teeth, the rasping of every vestige of meat doing this most effectually. Large bones only should be given, because if too small the dog will crunch them up and swallow them, which is dangerous. The best way to give a pill to a dog is to sew it up in a piece of meat. Then tossing the animal one or two pieces of similar size, which are at once bolted, the piece containing the pill may follow successfully. It is important that from first to last the dog be kept ignorant of what he is taking. Once bitten, twice shy applies here. So the pill or powder must be well concealed. In giving a liquid, instead of forcing open the jaws and pouring the liquid into the mouth, where it will remain and half choke the creature, since he can not swallow while his mouth is wide open, is is much better to use the lower part of the lips as a sort of funnel and slowly pour the medicine into that, when it will be impossible for the dog to avoid swallowing "it. Many fanciers novices that is experience a great deal of trouble in physicking their dogs, simply from want of knowledge of how to go about it, and it often happens more harm is done to the dog by the struggling and fright than good by the medicine; and not only so, but it is well nigh impossible to give a proper dose unless the dog be kept absolutely quiet, and that only can be when either the medicine is tasteless or the administrator of it skillful. If a person wants a dog for a pet only, he can make a pet or a genial companion of any of the recognized breeds, and his accomplishments will only be limited by the amount of companionship and education granted him, and your choice should be based simply on choosing a breed you most admire. Your choice of a companion rests also with you. Different men admire different kinds of companions.
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