The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1903-07-22

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plants the training Of tiger is az
the breaking In Of a vicious boarhound
to the first lessons in etiquette OF q
chubby Newfoundland puppy. Even
the most expert wild animal trainers
balk at an assignment to "break" a
tiger. Not more than one In ten pro-
fessional lion trainers has the nerve to
try his hand ut the great, ferocious,
striped cats.
As a matter of fact, there is no such
thing as "tamed tiger" Few and
far between there are instances where
the animals are shown as trained and
broken In. but the friendship Of the
animal for the trainer who may have
befriended it for years hangs at the
end Of the mans blacksnake whip.
From the dcy the acquaintance is made
to the day man and beast are separated
there is a stealthy warfare between
them; the catlike slyness of the ponder
Gus brute directed toward the one aim
| of killing the man and the vigilance of
the master ever alert to Illustrate that
plan.
One Of the peculiarities Of tanning a
tiger Is that the feat may be performed
much better by man totally strange
to the animal than by the one who has
helped rear 1t by the side of its mother.
What the reason for this is few animal
men can explain, unless 1t Is that the
subject is more apt to be inspired by n
wholesome fear when It encounters
q man totally strange.
The first step taken in training any
wild cat animal Is to familiarize II as
much as possible with the fact that
the newcomer into Its life means no
harm. Much depends upon the indi-
vidual nature of the animal to be
trained in deciding upon a proper
course for the primary lesson. If the
brute Is unusually treacherous he is
given ample chance to work out his
plans against the trainer. who is con-
tinually on guard and sees to it that
each attack results In failure.
The early lessons administered tc n
tiger are ridiculously on the hide-and-
seek plan. The trainer stands in front
Of the cage inviting the inmate to a
stealthy attack. Unless the tiger be
an exceptionally quiet subject there is
not long to wait. Cunningly covering
In q corner, the tiger makes ready for
the attack. Nearer and nearer he
itches and inches toward the stranger,
standing seemingly unawares near the
bars Of the cage. Other men may have
fed the big fellow for years. His old
trainer the brute would not think of
attacking in this way. But the stran-
ger is an intruded, to be struck from
behind, from where most tigers at
tacks come, and there lies the first |
lesson.
As the great paw with the cruel |
claws shoots out between the bars the |
stranger steps to one side. Nothing
happens. Not even a switch is brought
down on the dreadful paw. The stran.
ger merely stands and looks. So does
the tiger. The next move depends up
on the desire of the brute to work
harm. If the claws are withdrawn the
stranger is simply prepared to under
go second similar attack. If the
paw remains defiantly thrust through
the bars, up rises slim, yellow wand
In the hand of the man. Slowly and
with full intent to show the brute what
is happening the wand is raised higher
and higher. Then swish, and with all
the strength of a powerful mans right
arm, down comes rawhide across
the threatening paw.
If the animal shows fight there is an
unfair duel between the paw and the
rawhide, which can end but one way.
Then the tiger Is left alone to cool off
and to ponder over what happened.
Under no consideration Is the animal
further treated while it Is angry. In
lime, even in the most stubborn cases,
he tiger learns that If he leaves the
nan In peace nothing will happen.
Also, that If he tries to attack the re-
ult is pain and defeat. Also, that the
nan will feed the tiger daily, not alone
With meat and eatables, but with lux
iries Of the cat world-catnip, for ex-
nipple.
Once this reaction has been estab-
lshed between man and beast the Sec
md stage of the training is under
AIKEN. 1t becomes necessary to pre-
are the brute for n closer interview
With the stranger, who now prepares to
inter- the cage. Exactly as in the
ase Of lion tanning, chair is the first
hing introduced into the den. He of
he catnip and the wand opens the
age. regards the surprised tiger, who
Tonders what is going to happen. He /.
laces wooden chair in the cage OF
he brute and, leaving the cage as
uickly as he had entered It, watches !
evelopments.
Unused to the strange intrusion, the Z
ger lies scowling in corner and re-
ards the chair. That the chair must II
lie Is settled. Never before has he u
cen such quadruped. He does not U
ven know In which direction 1t moves. u
10 begins to reconnoltre by circling =
round and around the thing. The II
hair stands motionless-another fea. u
Ire which the animal regards with y
lstrust and disgust. Never before has u