Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-06-14
TEACHING DOGS TRICKS.
A Trainer and His Methods-Some
Points About Feeding Dogs.

Seated beside rude trapeze which was sus-
pended from two uprights in the deserted sum-
mer garden at Kernan's Theater several DAYS
ago STAR reporter found Prof. W. S. Shad-
man, the animal trainer. He was teaching
small terrier the trspeze act; that is, making it
stand on its hind legs in the trapeze while he
swung it to and fro. As the reporter ap-
preached the professor ceased operations for
moment and called Monkey, for that was the
dogs name, from the trapeze. Few people in
this world" said Prof. shadman, "realize
how interesting this business of mine is. Few
are in it, for tine simple reason that not many
possess the knack Of imparting knowledge to
dumb animals. claim that a dog trainer is
born and not made, and found this out when
l was very young. My father before me was
quite dog trainer, and at an early age COM
menced to train animals. dog trainer, first of
all, must have decision of character and strong
will power and pleasant voice.
ANY KIND OF DOG.
''People seem to think that one breed Of dogs
is more desirable for training than another.
This is not SO. All dogs possess more or less
intellectually. The moment dog is brought
before me can distinguish whether or not he
can be trained. The first thing do when set
about training new dog is to learn its nature.
This do by constant association with him,
thereby finding out his temperament. or in
other words, to see il he is nervous or excitable
to handle him accordingly. Many trainers in
interviews with newspaper men, as l have seen
throughout the country, claim that the whip is
not necessary in training a dog. Now, in
great measure, this is so, but sometimes the
whip is necessary, but only in cases where the
animal Is rebeIllous and refuses to do its work,
then l think a sharp cut will be beneficial
Animals are much like people and frequently
an animal Is indisposed to work owing to some
ailment. In cases of this kind the dog should
be petted and not whipped, for find that en-
enlargement and kindness after doing an act
is lasting and will seldom be forgotten 1t really
hurts me when stop and think of the many
valuable dogs that are ruined by overlooking.
Any one who has studied the animal as have
knows that naturally it Is gluttonous and will
eat anything. Too much meat is a very bad
thing to feed dogs on and usually ends in the
animals death or some skin disease.
HYDRoPHoBIA DELUsIoNs
"Just now" continued the professor, 81 see
by the papers that there are good many cases
of so-called hydrophobia Now, do not be-
lieve that there is any such thing as hydropho-
bIa. Or course, q person bitten by dog might
worry themselves into stage pronounced by
physicians as hydrOphobia, but do not be-
lieve that bite will have any fatal effect un-
less the dog has eaten some decomposed ami
nal matter, which may add blood poison to the
wound. Why, have been bitten fifty times
by vicious dogs" continued the professor he
exhibited the scars, but never was injured
for any length Of time"
"How often should dogs be fed to keep them
healthy" asked the reporter.
About once q day and his food should be
cut up fine, because they always devour il
ravenousiy. Bones should also be given, for
they clean the teeth and regulate the bowels.
A little raw liver now and then is good medi-
cine and should be given at least once year."
''You train other animals besides dogs, do
you not?" asked the scribe.
''Oh, yes, can train anything" said the
professor, "but the hardest of all to train is a
monkey. Many people think that monkeys are
easy to train, but this is mistake They have
no mind and while they will probably go
through a trick two or three times successfully
the next time you call upon them they will
have forgotten all about it. But there you will
have to excuse me now, want to teach this
dog the trapeze act"