The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-12-18
TRAINING A DOG.


and Praise, should BE Brought Into Con-
slant Play.
There never was a boy who owned a
dog who did not endeavor to teach his
pet some tricks of one kind or another
Oftentimes this training goes no further
than the familiar ''shake hands," or
give me your paw" which is a part
of the education of every well-bred
canine. Others, however, are more
ambitious, and the dog is made to play
dead, to jump over a stick, to fetch and
carry, to hold a piece of bread on the
end OF its nose, and at a signal from its
master to throw the bread INTO the air
and catch it in its mouth when it falls.
Not many years ago | was deeply
interested in the education of a re-
markably intelligent little skye ter
rier, and while revolving in my
own mind how to make him I'M
derstand that when | told him to turn
round three times, he was to do it Just
three times, and not to 90 twirling
across the floor like a teetotum. ]
CHANGED to meet the proprietor of a
number of trained dogs which were
performing in town, and in the course
of several conversations | had with him
l learned many of what are popularity
called the secrets of training animals.
much depends upon the dog. but
more upon the trainer" he said. 'Some
dogs are ike some people they are so
stupid that they can be taught nothing,
but these instances are very rare. The
teacher must be patient, firm and good
natured. Never whip dog unless he
is ugly or obstinate. 1t is great deal
more satisfactory to have q dog 90
through his performance cheerfully and
because he really likes it than through
fear of the whip. The easiest exhibition
trick a dog can be taught is jumping
through a ring. This is done by coax
ing him to jump through when it is he d
only a few inches from the floor. After
he has done this number of times,
raise the ring a few inches, and so on;
but never make the lessons too long. 1t
is better to practice often than to make
the dog repeat trick after it has been
satisfactorily performed better pet him
and make much of him than 90 on to
something else. A dog which has been
properly treated is very fond of praise,
and understands quickly enough by the
voice and manner whether he has won
the appreciation of the audience or not.
There is a dog" he added, pointing
to rather ragged-looking spaniel in
the corner, (which seems to be made
almost crazy by the applause of an
audience. He will 90 through his part
OF the performance as long as the audi
ence claps, and when called off the
stage, unless he is secured, he insists
upon going on again, and dances
around on his hind-feet in q frenzy of
excitement. When, on the contrary,
the audience are not sufficiently enthus-
iastic to suit his notions. he limps off
the stage with his ears hanging down
dcjectedly, and absolutely refuses to go
on again.
MANY of the tricks which seem so
wonderful to the audience are tricks of
the performer; for example, | tell one
of my dogs to bow three times; he keeps
one eye on my finger, which is away
from the audience. move my finger,
he bows; he oheys the finger, not the
words. A dog can be taught to lie
down dead, and it is just as easy to
teach him to drop at the word 'bang!'
as it is to order him in any other way.
1t is an amusing addition to this trick
to teach him not to get up until the
trainer calls out 'ratsr and one can use
all sorts Of persuasion and ne will not
move.
''But it would be impossible to give
even list of the tricks dog can be
taught, much more to attempt to de-
scribe them. There is no limit to the
number of things an INTEL gent dog can
be made to do. All it needs is patience,
perseverance and praise on the part of
the teacher. Always persuade. if pos
sible; never drive when it can be avoid
ed, and you will find that you will have
but little difficulty in teaching all YOU
want him to learn. Allan Forn,Gn,
IN HorperS Young People.