The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-04-13

MOUNDS, which are used foTthat purpose
most often on the stage. II their ability
IN this direction that leads lem into pro-
ieSsional career. Otherwi their timidItv
might exclude them frs the "boands.h
They are susceptible TO ste fright. 1t was
really funny to watc one OF Prof.
Parker's jumping greyunds. He can't
learn 20 face an automatically. When he
goes of the stage for theunning start for q
nigh jump, be is so diffidnt about appear
Ing again that he creepn slowly with all
the marks Of a genuine 'hrst night scare
about him. IL is not be is almost in the
middle OF the stage lat he really runs
freely. The nervousFss hampers him as a
leaper, ard if he had Il Exceptional natural
abilities he would be leless for public exhi-
billions.
After dog has leaned to jump he may
be taught to walk his hind legs or his
fore legs alone. It not every dog that
can learn this trick veil; aud contrary to
ones ordinary idea.t is easier as a rule to
teach a dog to walIon his fore than on his
hind legs The latir method Of locomotion
requires more strlgth in the back than
some dogs possess. 1t is easy to recognize
this deficiency wha teaching the animal to
stand up" whicsmust, of course, precede
the walking, Jul az sitting up precedes
standing.
1t is well to tAch dog to stand on his
hind feet by hoing up before him some
thing tempting inhe edible line; and moth
ing suits the csine palate or encourages
effort like fried lier. There may be some
variety in tasteshere as elsew lere, but on
the whole fried lier is the most stimulating
delicacy that ca be used in the school
room.
When you are eaching a dog to walk on
his fore legs its necessary to hold him up
at first. Don't Fasp him such a way as to
prevent his taing the position that it is
easiest for him He probably knows more
about that thu you do; and If you hold
him rigidly il position which defes the
law of graviAtion, lie will never learn toe
trick.
In EngIandone of the favorite meth DDS
of unnatural 1ocomotion for dogs is "side
feet varied by the "crosswisen action.
That meansmaking the dog walk with no
other support than two feet on side, or
one hind and one fore foot. The method
u ecessars will be clear enough to anybody.
Teach tie dog first TO hold up one foot till
you tell him to put it down, and after he
has leaned to do it standing he can be led
to do it walking. One of the trick dogs at
the late show learned to do the side foot act
without being taught. Prof. Parker was
teaching him to walk with one fore foot in
the air, when the dog stepped on tack with
the hind foot, on which the weight Of that
side of his body was depending at the time.
He was too well trained to put the fore foot
down even in so sharp an emergency, so he
hoped along on two feet; and it required
very little encouragement to implaut the
trick upon his memory.
think that the back somersault as per-
formed by little Jerry, the Yorkshire ter
rier, at the garden, was the most surprising
feat ever saw dog perform, yet it may
be taught to any dog If he is we'll built and
intelligent 1t is done with a harshness
similar to that which is commonly put
upon pug dogs when they are to take their
afternoon stroll on the avenue. 1t must be
SO arranged that the support will be even,
for at first the dog must be lifted by this
harness.
Let him stand in front OF you, facing
toward you. Call him to spring towards
you just as a dog ordinarily leaps upon his
master. When his forepaws touch your
breast give him flip, as if he were flap
jack, and over he e. es, landing on his feet.
1t will surprise him for awhile, but if you
are careful not to lie: him get hurt he will
learn what is required of him and will do it
neatly. Little Jerry can whirl Off half a
dozen handsprings backward as easily as
any tumbler In the sawdust ring.
have talked with many trainers of dogs
and they all say that that sort of education
raises dog in general intelli-
gence. He learns readily what could not be
taught to an unframed dog. He gets inter-
ested in trick work, and picks I'D amusing
variations which he remembers in wonder
full way. He becomes susceptible to the
delights of being applauded, and, alas, he
experiences the pangs of professional jeal.
ousy. The two clown dogs at the garden
show, though excellent friends off the stage,
have to be muzzled when they work to-
gether before an audience. 1t is perfectly
evidently that they try to surpass each
other, and that they do the cleverest work
Of which they are capable when they per-
ceive that their efforts are winning recogni-
ton.
There are stupid dogs and bright ones
IL is not worth while to waste time on
Bingo if he is dull. Dog trainers discover
an animals intellectual possibilities just
from the expression of his face. A clear,
bright eye; quick, comprehensive glance
a look Of eagerness and vivacity, are the
signs. Supplement this observation by let
ting the dog loose and watching his be-
havior. If he Is frolicsome, active and ap-
parently interested in his play he will do
good work under proper direction.
The best dog for stage tricks is the
French poodle. He is not quite 80 intelli-
gent as the St. Bernard and perhaps little
behind the Newfoundland, but he is more
carried about than either.
Settlers and pointers are bright dogs, but
they haven't the erect pose of some others.
It is their instinct to hold their heads and
tell down. and people who don't understand
dogs would say that they have been whipped
too much W ben they are being taught. Collies
are open to the same objection, though this
doesn't apply to home entertainment with
any of them. gPoodles, spaniels and York
shire terriers are easily taught, and make
successful stage dogs. The Russian poodle,
an expensive animal in this country, is a
fine exhibition dog. Poodles must be full
blooded to attain high standard Of intelli-
gence Much has been said in favor Of the
cur, but am told by Prof. Parker and
others who know the business that the
thoroughbred is the best dog, especially
when it comes to poodles.
In speaking of jumping dogs meant to
say something about records. They aren't
so accurately kept as with human athletes.
but there are some figures. The greyhound
leads with broad jump Of 81 feet, and a
high jump of 9 feet from the ground The
highest leap from the two hind legs alone
is 90 inches. This was done by one of Prof.
Parker's poodles this winter. The previous
record was Is inches by Japanese dog.
Dawn WFCHSTER