The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-08-05

Teaching and Employment ST the Animals
Results of Experiments Amply Justify
Expectations of Fancie1s-Bird Dogs,
Poodles, and Shepherd Dogs the Best
Messenger-BriDging up the Pups.
Washington, Aug. 2-That noble do
mestic animal. the dog, may one day be
enlisted into the United States Army.
The War Departme officials have read
with much interest the reports on the
military value of the dog which have
abroad. So many aud such valuable re-
suits are reported from the foreign train
ing Of these literal "dogs of war'' that
similar feature may be added to out
army.
The wonderful sagacity of the dog, his
docility and alertness, his oapability of
affection for mankind, the aouteness of
his sense of smell and hearing, his
patience, speed, and endurance render
him of great service in military opera
intrusted 20 this faithful friend OF man
are carrying reports from advanced pa
trolls, assisting outposts, maintaining
communications between posts ana plck-
cts, and Hunting for missing men.
The German Army, recognizing the
possibilities of valuable serivoe in dogs.
has for some time permitted and encour-
aged the training and employment OF
war 'dogs'' by the rife battalions, and
the results of the experiments have amply
justified the expectations of the dog fam
Ciers. Much Information has been OBJ
sained from the dog trainers of the Ger
man service, and the material gathered
has beenspraseryed in the division OF
military information. The subject is
vie wed with great interest by our SER
vice people, few Of whom, even lovers of
the dog, have realized to what extent
that animal might be educated to praoti
cal utility.
The requisite qualities of the ideal war
dog upon which the Germans insist are
purity of breed, perfect health, robust
body, especially broad chest and sinewy
legs, acute nose aud ear, teachableness,
power of endurance, and wstohfulness.
The dogs which have been found to ooln-
bine these characteristics in the highest
degree are the bird dogs, poodles, ard
shepherd dogs. Young poodles are held
in great esteem for their dOcility, but
the approach of age brings dizziness of
the senses and laziness which renders
them of little use In the latter part of
their lives. The extraordinary intelli-
genoe of the shepherd dog. his adaptibil-
obedience are qualities which would
mark him out as OF singular fitness for
the work. but these excellences are to
some degree offset by his lack of Affection
Despite his untrustwoTthin on this
account, he is, nevertheless, fayorite
military dog, highly priced and much
beloyedsby the army.
The bird dog unites the good qualities
of the poodle and the shepherd dog, and
is distinguished by lively sense Of duty
and attachment. His intelligence is re-
markable, and as he becomes conscious
of the specific duties that his matter re-
quiros of him his inclination for hunting
gradually disappears and he becomes 1.-The
trusty and efficient war dog par excel
lenoe.
The general preparatory training of the
dog for service is naturally arduous and
exacting, and ono Of two methods is
usually practiced. In accordance with the
susceptibility and general character of
the individual dog. Thsse are the severe
training by foroible means of the dog
kept isolated In order to bring about an
unconditional su coordination of will, and
the mild methods in which stress is laid
upon the Intercourse of the dog with his
master Fand the affection thus evolved,
and in the development of tibet dogs in
telligence. The latter method is deemed
preferable when practicable, and is us
ually employed with the bird dog and
poodle
The choi ce of a competent and wise
trainer is, of course, If the very highest
Importance. il servieeable results are to
be expected. The rsire training of the
dogs of battalion $ placed in the hands
of responsible CT .sr, familiar with and
experienced in IL matters, and under
his direction is ca, III on the work of
the trainers who ,irv selected from the
corporals or pTivntes frequent changes
OF trainers assistants are avoided as much
as possible for obvious reasons. The
experimenting officer is charged wi tn
the procurement of the dogs and the gen
erai supervision of their distribution and
caro-. A careful record is kept of the
dogs pedigree, history, and progress in
and this furnishes invaluable
data for experimentation.
The education usually begins when the
dog is about six months old. and only
the simplest principles of obedience and
the early awakening of affection and in
telligence are at frat aimed at. The first
exercise consists only in leading with the
lash which is intended to instill obedience
and attention to the trainer. Punish
ments at this and all stages are but spars
ingly NOTED out. and on the other hand
praise and petting are not to be lavished
without discrimination. The dog is
Taught to comprehendsthat when fastened
to the laeh he is to pay attention to his
master and to nothing else. He is never
at this stage allowed to leave the barracks
He soon learns to follow and
obey implicitly.
Next needs to be developed the watch
fulness that is Unborn in the dog. This
training begins indoors, The trainer
places himself " 18th dog In a room, the
of which are rs quiet as
possible, and has his assistant knock at
the door, He thon calls the dogs atten-
ton to their noise and incitss him to
growl; barking is, of course sought to be
prevented. When the dog is larger and
has gained in courage and aelf-confdence
he is taken leashed out of doors by the
trainer at night, when the dogs hearing
and aleFtnsss are not acute, to some iso-
lated point. Then the assistant quietly