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Spaying the female is a major surgical operation, in which the reproductive organs are removed through an incision in the abdominal wall. It is best to have the animal hospitalized for about a week, or at least until the stitches are removed. Altering male dogs is also a major surgical operation, in which the testicles are removed through an incision in the scrotum. These operations are performed under general anaesthesia, so there is no pain associated with them. In spaying, after the anaesthetic wears off, there is naturally some discomfort caused by the sutures and bandages. But dogs have remarkable recuperative powers. After a day or two, the inconveniences of the surgery appear to give them only casual concern, and they remain as active as the normal animal until sutures and bandages are removed.
For affluent owners, bringing their dogs to a veterinarian for scaling and polishing every two or three years will also help. Since the goal is to make these check-ups regular, making the dog used to being handled as early as possible will make it comfortable even when its mouth and teeth are being held and prevent it from becoming angry or biting.
The basic principle to be understood in the feeding of dogs is that, with only minor variations, they have the same nutritive requirements as man. A dog apparently has less need for starches, and its digestive juices do not handle fatty foods well. Thus, the dog’s meat should always be quite lean, otherwise it will commonly cause a stomach upset with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea.
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Slicing action on small food bits is done using 16 premolars, while grinding and crushing support comes from 10 molars at the back of the dog’s mouth.
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The most immediate concern of new dog owners is that of housebreaking the pet. In order to accomplish this task, the essential principle that the owner must recognize is that it is always the desire of the dog to please its master. Nothing can give the dog greater pleasure than to know that its actions have met with approval; nothing can cause the dog greater displeasure than to know that its behavior has called forth disapproval.
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If the dog whines or barks, come back in, grasp the animal by the scruff of the neck, tell it sharply, “No! No! No!”; go on scolding the animal thoroughly for a couple of minutes and put the animal back in its bed. Repeat this procedure several times each day. As the dog starts to quiet down more and more, remain away from home for longer and longer periods. In a very short time the animal becomes completely accustomed to remaining alone, and does not even bat an eyelash when you leave.
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