The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-12-01
TRAINING coLLIEs.


now 20 mHHS DORe OF tSeht NHiue buo
Use to Farmers.
1t Is an acknowledged fact that Of all
breeds OF dogs the collie has the most
nervous disposition, and needs the
most careful handling. There is not a
dog on the fsce OF the earth that can be
SO easily spoiled by cross word, or by
a single application of the whip, as the
Scotch collie. We have owned collies
for about six years and in all that time
have never found the need Of whip.
1t is in fact their almost human-like
intelligence which makes their natural
timidity the more manifest, and the
first and most important rule to be re-
membered by the trainer is uniform
and absolute kindness and gentleness,
both of manner and tone of voice, which
should never be raised above the tone
OF ordinary conversation. In commenc-
ing the education of collie puppy it
is necessary for the trainer to traverse
the exact ground the collie is to cover,
until he feels perfectly ut home among
the cattle, and being close at hand any
needless barking and worrying can be
instantly checked. BY following his
trainer the puppy will naturally get
into the habit of driving at the heel
instead of worrying in front.
After the puppy has become habitu-
ated to driving he may be allowed to
"lead Off more and more each day,
until finally in an almost imperceptible
manner he will work alone in large
field. the same as a pointer or setter
would work the same space of ground.
If he has been brought to this point
with care and kindness, he will at all
times enter into his work with alacrity
and evince by his eagerness that this is
his natural sphere of usefulness. But
let it ever be remembered that as soon
as your collie's spirit is broken, you
might as well break his back, so far as
usefulness is concerned. You must
have the confidence and love Of your
dog to have him of the least benefit.
OF course we all realize that to get the
taught to drive acceptably from dis
tance; he must obey orders beyond the
reach of the voice. This can be very
easily accomplished by the aid of a lit
tie painstaking. A young dog when
excited by his work will in the majority
OF instances work too fast. and the best
means to check his ardor is the most
important thing to consider. In
the door-yard and around the barn
he must be taught to "lie down." at
some given signal; the best one for
the purpose being to hold your hat
high above your head, as this sign can
be seen at Il great distance, and like
wise your signal for him to again pro-
ceed should be by moving the hat to
and fro. BY all means be sure to work
your dog more by signal than by voice,
for nothing is more disgusting than to
hear man screaming and yelling to
his dog. All that is needed in the way
of signaling is to prevent his working
too fast and running the stock. All
that is needed in this country of fences
is to have your dog perfectly obedient
and possessing the ordinary intelligence
which you would naturally expect Of
the breed. If the dog has thus bees
brought to a knowledge of his business
with no fear of the whip or other pun
ishment, he will enter into his work
with hearty goodwill, and ever and
anon he will be found, during the day,
walking around among the cattle, by
whom he will be recognized as Il friend
and welcome companion.
1t is not necessary that a dog should
inspire fear among the cattle he is to
drive, as it is his duty simply to start
them in motion and direct them to their
course. The same gentleness which
should be observed among milch COWS
by the one caring for them, should be
taught to the dog. who should be but
the active expression of his owners
wishes. s.-PeScadO, in Ohio Farmer.