The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-09-18
TRAITS OF TIE DOG.

| TRAITS OF THE DOG.
Instinct holds relatively as small
part in the life Of the dog as 1t does in
the life of man. Dogs inherit the in
stinct of self-preservation, the mater
nal and paternal instinct, and the in
stinct to seek a food supply, etc, but
in the activities of life, In choosing
means to ends their intelligence holds
full sway. Experience and observation
add to the dogs store of knowledge as
| they do to the store of mans.
The dogs knowledge is growth.
Whether he is wild or domesticated he
has much training of mind and body to
undergo before he fits into his environ
ment to the best advantage to himself
| If in wild state he must learn all the
wiles of pursuit, of attack and defence,
both as an individual and as one of a
pack In domesticated state he in
| diligently fits himsef to his environ
ment by following the lines of least re-
sistance. Cuffed for jumping on the
| bed, driven from the paflor with a
broomstick, scolded for barking in the
house, or thrashed for an attempt to
steal food from the table. etc. he
avoids the experiences which are pain
full, and makes the most of such privi-
leges as are pleasant and allowable to
him. In time, as experience directs his
manner of life becomes his habit of
life. He ceases TO have a longing for
the comforts of the parlor, and for
bears stealing food unless he has a safe
opportunity.
The moral nature of the dog never
pbGc tn a hat
much confidence He is naturally a
predatory animal, and his marauding
instincts, though reasonably dormant
in his own home, are quickly brought
into activity on outside opportunity In
the home of his masters friend, where
he is for the first time, the dog most
brazingly searches every nook and cor
ner, disreg arding his home manners
and does not hesitate to appropriate to
his own use any food he may find Ac-
cOrding to his point of view he is doing
no wrong, Such Is his nature. In time
with more humping and more palm
full experience he learns that the iues
in force at his own home are also the
rules to be observed when he Is in 9TH
err homes, and he governs himself &C
cordingly. However, he easily drifts
into vagabond habits If opportunity Of
fers, such as sneaking off into the fields
and woods on self-hunting trips. assoc
ciattng with vagabond dogs, etc, and
at such times he will indulge In many
freaks and fancies, of which he would
not be guilty if under the eye of his
master.
He has a profound affection for his
master, but that does not in the least
signify that he loses any Of his own
individuality or interest in his own
manner of life. On the matter Of HIS
affection, by the way he has been laud-
ed to heights on the one hand. quite as
unwarranted as he was deprecated on
the other in the matter of intelligence.
Dogs love their masters, it Is true, but
votion so dear to sentimental writers
as q theme when celebrating on the
nobility which dogs possess.
Tht average dog however much he
may exhibit affection for his master to-
day, will be quite content to take up
with a new one tomorrow. A few APP
petizing mOrsas Of food are sufficient
to excite his interest, a few pats on the
head evoke his friendship, and a few
repetitions of friendly attention win his
affection. Some dogs have more con-
sistent devotion than others; some are |
brave. and will fight for their masters
as they will fight for each other; some
viii run from danger, regardless of |
whom it may threaten.
The dog, being gregarious, has nat
ural repungance to loneliness. In O
wild state he lives in packs with his |
fellows and observes much the Same !
and devotion 60 the com
mon good that he does towards his !
home IN domestication.
The wild instinct of friendly alliance
is expressed in domestication He |
forms an attachment for his master
and the members of his masters fami- |
". He may, however, form a more
attachment for horse He
the domination of his master +
but he comedies the same to the leader
If the pack in wild state Hounds
n domestication have a leader to
which they took for leadership in the
pursuit Of foxes etc.
The deg in domestication soon learns
% consider his masters home as his
OWN. II he prowls away from home
seeking to investigate other homes.