The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-12

who will attack burglars and intruders
but an intelligent, well-drilled mastif or
bull who is able to capture fugitive with
out iniicting serious injury is au invalua-
bic companion for ''sleuth" or police
office.
There are always from twenty TO thirty
candidates under the care of Herr Strauss
who are kept in large Enclosures with nigh
fences. At the approach of a friendly
visitor they are all allowed to rush in the
central arena, and are taught to sniff
around his legs without indulging in
further molestations To be the center of
attraction of such a ferocious pack in
duces uncomfortable feelings. The risky
fellows might forget their part
latter the pantalOons, and bite a
few mouthfuls from ones an
atomy. The remarks OF the attend
ant are reassuring, however, and when
the dogs become too familiar they are
ordered back to their kennels. A couple
OF tine Leonbergers are picked out to
exhibit their skill. In jargon composed
of French. German and English elements
the stern commands, well unders TODD by
the dogs, resound through the ward.
First they are ordered TO sit still in
various positions, then they indulge in
number of prostrations After this exer-
else they try their hands, or rather their
paws, at certain difficult manual and
pedal gesticulations. They are required
To keep their eyes during all this time on
every move and wink of their teacher,
whose orders are often only given in
pantomime.
The most interesting part of the exer-
cises begins with the search for small ar
ticles of wood, pencils, and penknives,
and the constant drill in jumping before
the sham battle proper. Patrol dogs
must be efficient in all these tricks and
must be able to spring at the neck of
fugitive, even while climbing a flight of
stairs or after having jumped on a box or
table. Implicit obedience under the most
difficult and adverse circumstances is the
main requirement, otherwise the animal
| will consult his own will and fail at crit
zeal moments.
Dummies 81 to 6 f-et high are en-
| ployed for batting purposes. The dog
must learn that the edigy is a dangerous
enemy, to be fought to the death Placed
| behind door it is not seen until one Of
! the attendants at one end of the room
| pulls the door ajar with a long string.
/ Then the dogs are held and taught TO re-
| frain until the scarecrow is made to
| enter
! The most difficult task is to train the
! bulls-mastiffs are less obstinate to
| attack before the command is given The
| dog plants his fOrepaws on the shoulders
! and snaps his paws firmly in the collar
4
! rubber, which allows the furious canine
| to vent his wrath without serious injury
| to the cloth coat, but he learns gradually
! not to stick his teeth in the wax face or
neck. The quasi-foe applies his hands
! and body automatically in defense The
! is used on the dog first gently, and finally
numerically, so as TO render him pertina-
| ciOus and sJOical.
After long and patient practice a living
model is substituted. Not everybody can
serve as such, but a well-paid and tho
roughly posted employee must do this
work which is fraught with much danger
to life and limb, AS the dogs are powerful
and sudden spring at the throat does
not produce an agreeable sensation for
| the object of it. For time ne also must
| wear the leather or rubber collar, but at
| last the dog learns to tighten his hold
IMPLY on the clothing without indulging
further savage actions.