Growing Puppies

Some puppies are slower in their growth than others, but the faster they develop, the more important it is that they be kept supplied with the necessary constituents of strong bone. As long as the puppy is growing, the bones continue to calcify, gradually becoming stronger and thicker as the cartilaginous parts are transformed by the calcifying process into hard bone. Thus it may be seen that the more bone-building materials which are supplied to the puppy, the better will be his development. Do not depend on his obtaining enough calcium from the ordinary diet to supply all his needs. Dicalcium phosphate with cod-liver oil and wheat germ oil should take care of any deficiency. Dicalcium phosphate will not hurt him, so there need be no fear of overdosing.

The cheapest source of vitamin D is sunlight. This vitamin regulates the assimilation of calcium and phosphorus and is necessary to effect their combination in the making of good bone. Even when there is sufficient calcium and phosphorus, solid bone will not be formed without an adequate supply of vitamin D. Remember this, and give the puppies plenty of exercise in the sunlight.

It is a good thing to give some chopped raw greens to puppies. Eating grass is a habit with many dogs, but some do not acquire the taste for it. Grass and other greens clean out the intestines and remove debris and mucus. They are one of nature's laxatives, and their irritating action on the stomach of the dog relieves excess acid through vomiting.

Injuries as well as improper feeding may cause crooked limbs and other abnormalities of the skeleton. While the bones are partially calcified at birth, the process is far from complete, for a large part of the skeleton still consists of cartilage. The limbs are therefore easily strained and may be deformed by careless handling.
Exercise for the puppy is necessary, but until he reaches his full development it should be given in moderation. Several short walks are better than one long one, and romps should never be carried to the point where the puppy is tired out. He should be taught to go on the lead while he is still young, but should never be allowed to pull, for this will distort his front quarters. Pulling may be checked by using a lead which is designed to tighten about his neck in proportion to the strain put upon it. When he finds that the harder he pulls, the tighter the lead becomes, he will soon stop pulling. Never use a harness on a young puppy, for this also tends to throw his front quarters out of line. Use a collar and lead, a slip lead, or a choke lead. The latter is the best while training, not only because it teaches him not to pull, but because it makes it impossible for him to pull his head out and escape when in traffic.

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