The pup that plays quietly is usually playing safely, whereas the one that tears around boisterously may be exhausting himself nervously and physically. This does not mean that the normal puppy is not lively, for he certainly is. But just as he gets enough sleep by means of short naps, so does he get his best exercise in short sessions.

Don't egg him on to play when he tires or wants to rest. When he is ready to quit, leave him alone. It is a great mistake to excite the resting puppy, or to permit children to urge him on when you know that he is tired. He will play when he feels like it, and when he is tired he should stop.

Play is the young animal's instinctive method of exercise. He will find ways of playing by himself, too. The age-old game of chasing his tail is usually puppy play; but if he actually bites at his tail, looks for matted hair, debris, or even a flea that might be annoying him. Since the normal puppy is chock-full of vim and vigour, he may exert himself beyond his strength. After a play period of twenty minutes or so, pick him up and put him in his box. Stopped in the midst of a boisterous game of chase and pull, he may rebel, but never mind!

Shut him up and leave him alone. Before you know it, he'll be sound asleep.

The puppy that plays quietly in his own place or box cannot come to much harm no matter how long he keeps at it and his footing is secure because he is on his papers or his blanket. When taken out for play, however, he meets certain risks, not the least of which is slippery flooring. Many folks floor the puppy room with linoleum, or they let him scamper around the kitchen or bathroom, since these places usually have floors that suffer less from periodic mistakes. Nevertheless, the frisky pup is none too sure on his feet. He can easily slip and fall, Injure a knee joint, or pull a tendon. Therefore, the puppy that plays on waxed linoleum or polished hardwood floors needs the protection of some kind of carpeting.

Especially suitable is a discarded cotton rag rug that can be washed as often as needed or even an old towel will do.