Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-08-06

attention; and it should always be in the
same room, and about the same time of
day, if possible. because then he knows,
when you begin, that he is intended to
learn. There must be supply of dry
biscuits, or something of which the pupil
is especially fond, close at hand, so that
a. first he may receive a reward for the
first sign of doing what you wish. 1t is
important that the word by which the deg
is 10 distinguish the particular trick which
he is meant to do should be well impressed
upon his mind By frequent repetitions dur
ing the lesson.
| will now point ous some OF the easiest
and yet most amusing tricks which may
be taught, and few hints on the method
OF doing so. and commence with the easiest
tricks OF all, which may be OF use 20 some,
though many people get as far as the first
two or three.
Sitting or begging is soon taught.
Take the dog up, and sit him down in
corner of the room, so that he has his
back supported by the angles Of the walls,
supporting him in front with the HAND,
saying, constantly, Beg, beg!' After
few moments. reward HIM, and very soon
he will come TO get up into sitting
posture of his own accord but he must
not be allowed to stand on his hind legs,
as most dogs try to do, but must sit down
upon his headquarters. When he has
learned to balance himself in the corner,
he must be advanced TO plain wall, and
then IN the open room.
Walking on the hind legs may next be
taught by walking him round the room
with has fore paws resting upon your hand,
piece Of biscuit being held above him
with the other hand, saying, at the same
time, "Walk, walk" The support of the
haad must be gradually decreased till he
walks alone.
Shutting the door is taught by placing
the fore-paws of the dog, who must be
standing on his hind legs. against it. Then,
by pushing him forward, cause him 70 shut
the door, saying, "Shut it = and give him
biscuit each time after it is shut After
some time, with encouragement from hand
aud voice, he will jump against the door
and close il himself. This trick may be
shown off with effect by entering room,
followed by your dog, aud leaving the door
opeB after you. Then turn round and say,
" Rude deg, where are your manners
Shut it :"
Shooting dead Make him sit up, push
him gently over on his side, stretch him
out on the tlosr. and hold him down, say
irg Dead " III an impressive voice to
prevent wagging of the tail This must
be repeated until he falls dead from
the sitting-up posture of his own accord,
when it is time to begin shooting him,
which is Done with a pistol extemponzed
from your fingers thus: Extend the index
finger of the left hand, pointing at your
doomed canine, and holding the thumb
psrpendicularly i'll the air Then place the
tip of the index finger on the right hand
inside the left thumb, and snap loudly the
second finger and thumb of the right hand
This must be done at the same time as
saying dead ;" bat soon the word
dead may be dispensed with, for ne
will expire to The pistol alone. The great
thing in this trick is to get him to fall
promptly at the snap Of the fingers, and
not before, which ne IS apt TO do when ne
knows what is coming.
Going into the corner: Place the dog in
a corner Of the room or his hind legs, with
his nose in the angle of the walls, repeat
ing Corner" and make him say there
until released by word. After q little
practice send him from gradually inereas-
ing distances to do the same. Ii he turns
his head round while standing there, say
sharply, Face TO the WALL" when the
tone of scolding will make him turn it
back again.-[Y. NJ. B. in Live Stock
journal.