Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1889-08-01

NEW WAY TO RIDE AN ELEPHANT.
have them try II again ut that perform
ance. II attempted TO make them go
back and do anything they omitted II
would confuse them, and they would do
nothing. Nearly all animals keep their
eyes ON their trainer while going
through with II performance, but sheep
never do That very fact shows they
lack the intelligence Of horse, COW
or even II goat, because the latter do
have I'M ocular intelligence, 50 TO speak,
that is wonderful. Sheep have to be
taught together, they are so timid and
lonely when they are separated from.
their mates. The way | trained the
three ] have, and they are the only
trained sheep IN America, was by pet
ting them and getting them used to me-
l handled them daily, patted them on
they knew their names. The male
sheep found much easier to train than
the female. They are affectionate Ia
their disposition and do not require
much punishment TO make them obey.
The fact is they are willing TO obey but
are too dull TO remember Or know what
TO do. have a string attached 10 their
necks and guide them with it by driv
ing them over the bars. At every per,
Torrance | have TO exercise the same
care and go through with the Same
amount of physical eXertion to make
them perform. II could stop, rs do
while training them at rehearsals, and
fondle them aifectionately | could get
more out Of them in "A public perform
ance. II is strange, but true, that few
animals like TO lie down. The trainer
has to throw them down frequently and
hold them there. Well, have strug.
gle frequently TO get my sheep to lie
down. Then they are anxious TO get
up and when the signal Is given they
jump up as II they were shot Instead
OF a whip TO pass over them i keep
stick In my hand and occasionally use
it on them, not TO beat. but TO let them
know that | am near by and watching.
IL they would look mt me ! am sure
could train them 10 do many more
clever tricks. As 1t is ! have taught
these three seven or eight tricks tina,
they do twice a day."
William McGovern is a well-known
seal trainer. He has devoted some
years to these queer creatures OF the
Arctic seas, and has achieved wonder
full success. He said that he begins to
train seal TO perform in public by frs,
making IL familiar with the sound oil
the voice, and added: "A seal soon
learns TO distinguish familiar voice
from that OF stranger. 1t often takes
me five or six weeks to accustom seal
to the sound OF my voice, and the next
process in training is to inspire conf
dence. do this by taking it from the
water and placing IL on platform. II
is nervous and easily frightened, but ]
handle it gently and finally get con.
troll OF 1t enough TO show 1t how to dc
things. | have taught seals how tc
ring bells, play on instruments. shoot
pistols and sing or howl. They are
intelligent enough TO know that after
one trick they have another to do, and
SO they are impatient to get through.
Their sight is splendid and II another
man Is present on the platform Will,
they are performing they are sures :.
see him and object TO proceeding
further. They are easily frightened
and IL hurt in any way it takes q long
.ime 70 restore their confidence.