The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-09-04
HOW HE DOES IT.
Professor Gentry Explains the Secret Of
Animal Training. ...Kindness and
Patience Necessary.

What person In scranton VINO mas
seen the wonderful entertainment pro-
vided by the highly trained dogs, pom
les and monkeys in the tent on Adams
avenue but wonders at the skill of the
trainer. Last evening n reporter of
The Tribune, bent on seeking informa-
ton regarding the education OF ami
mails, called on Prof. Gentry. the train
er. He had just finished the entertain
ment and was found in the dressing
room that Is attached to the large tent.
The professor was surrounded by his
pets and when asked to give some in
formation readily answered the ques-
tions propounded.
''What are the essentials of animal
training?" said the trainer, repeating
the reporters query. "Why kindness
and patience. OF course, l admit there
is an art about it, but that is a natural
gift, yet the main factors are to make
the animal know you are his friend.
work with him patiently, show him JUS
what you want him to do, and If you
persevere you are sure of success
Now here is Barney one Of the
first dogs that ever turned a somer-
sault or walked u tight rope. 1t took
me six months of constant and patient
training to educate him to state of
perfection so that he could appear be-
fore an audience. yet when l know he
is the greatest canine acrobat before
the public l feel well repaid for my
labor.
NO CUES OR MOTIONS.
This pony here Is more Intelligent
than many human beings. Simply to
convince you that / do not use cues or
motions I will allow you to ask her the
questions" The professor handed the
reporter q list of names of the ponies
numbering twenty-nine. Taking the
list the reporter asked her:
DO you know your name?"
The pony emphatically nodded her
beautiful head slgnifying Yes"
SIS it Snowdrop?" She shook her
head.
"Romeo?" Another shake.
"Dottie Dimple?" Again nay.
'Eureka?" More emphatically nay.
Juliet" and she nodded her head as
if to say. "Why, of course. that's my
name and / am proud of it,
In this manner Juliet also told her
age.
(which is my favorite?" said Prof.
Gentry. "Well. that would be hard to
tell. ] guess the truth of the matter is
that have none. l love them all, and
you can see by the manner they gather
around me and wish me to caress them
that they love me in return. ] have
always been an indulgent master to
them. They have the best of care and
nd nra 70 h vNv,ta, 1,a,
jority.
1T took about seven months to bring
the drill ponies to state of perfection
you witnessed tonight and believe they
would do credit to the most exacting
of tacticians
Here are Mr.. and Mrs. Snyder, the
two white dogs that wear clothes and
waltz so delightfully."-, and I firmly be-
leve they enjoy dancing more than the
majority Of married couples. And here
Is the little fellow that plays the baby.
/ have been offered large sums of money
for him at different times. but neither
gold nor 'Bryans free silver could not
buy him. I imported his parents from
Europe. They took the first prize at q
bench show of poodles held in Paris in
1890.
SIX IMPORTED PONIES.
"I imported six of the ponies from the
Shetland Isles in 1891. Barney, the ac-
robatic. came over with the consign-
ment as a gift. He is q. perfect speci-
men of the Shetland poodle. very rare
and valuable species Of CANNES.
This trained monkey, China
bought four years ago from an importer
of animals in New York. At present he
is showing how a circus rider should
deport himself. He was taught by see
ing the real riders themselves at one of
the larger circuses. You have seen chill
dren who have visited circus for the
first time; we'll, their delight is as moth
ing compared to 'China's.' He went al
most wild and when the next day
placed him upon pony's back, took my
whip in hand and the little horse gal
loped around the ring. he seemed to
grasp the idea and in three months he
would put old John Robinson to blush.
zone of the features of my entertain
ment is the leaping of the greyhounds.
There they are, and a superb lot you'll
find them. 'Tolyctta' here is the high
est leaper; Dude makes the long jump
through space. and as no one ever ac-
cepted my challenge, have every rea-
son to believe him the champion long
distance leaper Of the world.
NO. / shall never teach them to read
and write" laughingly answered the
professor to question; "it would not do
for them to be able to know the amount
Of praise you members of the press be-
stow upon them daily. am afraid they
wo,feH strike"
So the interview ended and Professor
Gentry saw his pets in their quarters for
the night.