Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-28
TRAINING OF DOGS.
Animals May Be Educated So That
They Will Not Bark Needlessly.

To the Editor OF The Star:
A short time ago there appeared Iu tho
city papers some comment relative. to a
diff1culty between neighDors regarding The
unnecessary and annoying barking OF n
dog. wherein one had complained 10 tn.
District Commissioners and the. other
owner OF the offending animal wa. re-
ported to have addressed a letter 20 tho
Commissioners asking If they had or knew
of any method whereby a dog might be
prevented from barking.
l felt like answering the inJliry "A, the
time from my own experience but de-
cided that the Commissioners were prob
ably able TO make response for themselves
If they chose TO do so. 1t appears how
ever, that those officials have ignored the
inquiry, and no one else has furnished TO
the more or less anxious and. perhaps.
sincere inquirer the desired information
The subject is one of more importance,
that many would at first suppose and
there are few greater nuisances in our
cities than the ill-trained dog that is per-
mltted to bay the moon" and disturb tho
rest of persons for great distances I'm tho
neighborhood. We have all suffered and
a remedy should be widely advertised In
the Outing Magazine for September Is an
article by Joseph A. Graham which com
pletely answers the inquiry abuve. men,
toned. as follows:
While his verdancy lasts the first con-
sderation is to make him have faith in
you, whatever other imaginary enemies
excite his apprehension. Make him believe,
That You are safe refuge able and will
ing to protect him from all troubles
one introduction TO severity may 10
made early without detrment 10 his fiI-
ture. 1t will come up when he bowls and
scratches at being left alone. That is such
nuisance to neighbors and annoyance TO
yourself that a compulsory cessation ia
desirable As you turn away from tho
Kennel he sets up a howl and begins TO
bite at the wire or boards of his iucloSure
Iurn back at once and speak sharply. slap
ping the kennel loudly with a stick. IL
he doesn't see the point go into the kennel
whip him little and use the sharp tone
50 that he connects it with the whipping
II he cuts up again when You leave turn
back and administer the same treatment.
Usually Il few days of persistence on this
line settles most of his kennel distress
or at least its noisy manifestations.
1t Is wise to make this point the Begin
ming of force for reason aside from your
own and your neighbors comfort. The
connection cannot be misunderstood by the
dog. 1t cannot teach him bad habits or
prevent the requirement of good ones
IL Is not TO be presumed that any ona
willingly permits a dog to bark at night
the continuous, never-ending 5ow-Wow
that means nothing-to the ANNOYANCE OF
himself and neighbors, and It must be
assumed that the only reason why many
dog owners do permit it is because they
either do not know how or are TOO negl-
gent of their duty to themselves. their
neighbors and the dog to apply the remedy
think that it may safely De said that
not one person in ten thousand residing
in city has any earthly use for a do..
of any kind. If however. the d.sir. for
pets, or the so-called love for dogs
impels person to keep such animals ha
should so arrange for the keeping that it
no ~ IA and
should so train it that it will nol be a nut
sance to others Dogs may DE reared in
cities in such a manner as to avoid giving
offense to neighbors. that they will be
pleasure to the owner, ana themselves
enjoy life. One who is not prepared To
take the trouble. or who will nos to prop
erly educate dog has no right 20 under
take 10 keep one in crowded community
| am an admirer of well-bred and prop
erly reared dogs. L like them too wen
TO believe that / can do justice ID one
within the small space of an Ordinary city
lot and with the limited time ar my dis
posal for giving proper attention to tn.
education and personal comfort % the ami
NAL l have owned a number Of dogs and
have reared several from pupryiood. bur
l never had one that WAS midnight
bowler or barked unnecessariiy-tha is
when no disturbing agent was present II
dog has not sufficient intelligence ID bear
and respond to proper training !n this re-
Spect he Is not worth having. and no true
lover of animals can derive real pleasure
from the possession of such Il one.
1t requires considerable patience and dill
gence to educate, even the best aud mos
intelligent of dogs that il is wrong ia idly
bark, whine or howl, but ii has been done
many times. and may be done in all in
stances where the dog Is worth having and
the owner is fit to possess the dog Gain
his confidence and affection. Never punish
him unless you are sure that !ie under
stands why he is punished-.aJ is. that
he associates the cause with the punish
ment. Do not administer punishment In {.
half-hearted manner II make il severe
enough to impress the memory. but do not
use anything for the administration thar
will leave bruises or cause prolonged sore
ness: sharp switch or whip-nothing tina.
will leave welts-should be used when pun
ishment is necessary. Once that you have
the animals confidence, and lie has faith
that You his friend. he viii readily
obey and even seek opportunity to please
you. Kindness, firmness truthfulncss will
gain his love, respect and faith. without
which your efforts will be fruitlass.
CHAS. II. BASBITT.