The San Francisco call., 1896-09-20
DOGS IN WAR
raining Canine Pets for
Military Service

| telligible TO him. When the dog compre-
hends what is expected of him, the next
step is to fix what is learned by constant
practice. According to the difficulty of the
exercise is the amount OF time required
The fewer punishments meted out the bet
ter it speaks for both dog and trainer, and
rewards also are given out sparingly that
the dog shall not be led to expect any,
thing more than kind words on doing
duty properly. In Furnishing, the trainer
is required to be absolutely certain that it
| is a case OF downright disobedience on
the part of the dog before infiicting it.
which is done by either a scolding or a
beating with stick. While kind words
and gentleness are used from birth, vet
the proper training does not commence be-
fore the dog is at least six months old.
The exercise under the first part-lead-
ing with the leash-requires the dog, who
is fastened by leash or strap, to walk on
the left-hand side of the trainer without
the latter having to hold the line taut in
his hand. The leash is a calfskin strap
half inch wide, with the upper end ar.
ranged for singing, and having buckle.
1t is about three feet long, and is termi-
mated in its lower end with a strong snap.
instruction in this exercise is commenced
very early. The dog is not allowed to
leave barracks except fastened by the
leash. AT first the animal will want to
run forward or stand fast, but pull on
the line ard pettlng him and talking will
soon make him understand what is ex-
pected. Should he stretch the line or pull
it, a thin switch is used and the dog must
understand that he must pay attention to
the trainer and tonothing else. Soon the
dog will walk alongside his trainer, who
has hold of the upper end of the leash, and
will walk easily, so that the strap will
hang loosely After this step is accom-
plished then comes the second or higher
one of developing his watchfulness This
quality is Unborn in the dog, and but
needs training to develop it IN the right
direction. 1t commences indoors. The
trainer with the dog is in room, the sur
roundings of which are Kept as quiet as
possible. An assistant trainer is then to
knock at the door. The dogs attention is
called to the noise and he is melted to
growl by the word '1ook out" ana if the
dog should bark, this at first is not pre-
| vented. Then as he grows larger, stronger
and gains in self-confdence and courage
he is taken at night, at which time his
hearing and alertness are more acute, to
some isolated point, and after a little
while the assistant steals up on the wind
ward side, but at first not too quietly. If
the dog does not bark, he is incited to by
the trainer. Care, however, is taken that
he does not attack the assistant, as biting
dogs are not fit for military service, and,
at the same time in this first training
none must act as assistant whom the dog
knows. After he has become accustomed
to giving notice of the approach of any one
he is then required to do it by low growl
instead OF barking, and then the more es-
sential parts are taught him successiyely.
as when attached to a sentinel to give no.
tice of the approach OF strangers, and
when tied up to allow no stranger to come
near.
Then comes the last and most valuable
part OF the training-the t'going and re-
turning" BY this is understood that when
led away from his trainer by an assistant
he can be sent back to the former, or when
taken back or away by the trainer he can
be sent to the assistant and then return to
the trainer. During this training he is
taught to run back and retrieve lost
articles, to use the pouch, etc. The dis
tances at first do not exceed third of q