Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-01
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dogs" vet it is the privilege oi
these latter animals, by very virtue
OF their diminutive size. to be Petteo, pau,
pered on dainties, washed, combed, banketeo'
and altogether treated as one OF the mousse
hold
Although the pet dogs sphere of usefulness
Is very limited, he is often possessed OF much
natural sagacity, and can be educated to per
form numerous amusing tricks as wen as
few acts of real service.
1t has been my observation that most own
ers OF these intelligent little pets fail to exact
from them anything more than their OCCASION
al obedience to such simple, and necessary com
mands. as come here" '1ie down." and the
like, and hail as an indication Of unusual
acuteness IN their dog any instructive Demon
stration on his part, by which he may hap
pen to make known his preference tor par
tlcular article of food, or perhaps his desire
Tor drink of water. 1t would, Therefore ap,
pear either that many people are unaware OF
the facility with which this class of dogs may
be taught, or that they are ignorant OF the
proper methods of instruction to be. pursued.
Almost any pet dog may be taught to per.
form many funny tricks and to make himself
useful besides, though there is much difference
in the capacities of such dogs--there being can
Inc as well as human blockheads-but 1T is
generally conceded that the easiest taught are
the Spanish poodle and the black-and-tan ter
rier.
The great requisite in the successful teacher
IS patience. A good general rule to observe Is
to reward the dog by feeding him with a
choice morsel when he obeys and to punish
him hi, By sc1lSing him and lshtl'- shaking him
Is p % should begin to train your dog when hen
SECURE the beS results, for, as is well known,
lt is hard to teach an old dog new tricks.
"A single lesson should not exceed in length
fifteen minutes, for otherwise the dog viii
become listless and discontented, and proba-
bly, refuse to obey The dog should have at
least one such lesson every day, or. better
five minutes each.
Never attempt to teach your dog more than
one trick at time; that is to say, he should
be made to thoroughly master one before
fuse them, in spite of you-
A dog should have but one teacher. That
too many cooks spoil the broth" is never
doubted; that too many teachers spoil the dog
is equally true.
Aim TO make your commands as brief as
possible, always emphasizing the word denot-
ing the action to be performed; for example,
do not make use of the expressions sit up"
Stand up" etc., emphasizing the last word in
each case. for. if you do, the dog is apt to con
fuse them and not know whether you wish
him to sit or stand, but say simply. sit "
"stand," lie, down. etc., or, you perfer the
use Of the two words-and some do-be sure
to emphasize the proper word, thus; "sIT
up" HSTAND up" LIE down." get
In exacting from your dog the performance
of any certain trick you should invariably use
the same words of command until he performs
your wish readily when, if 2ap desire. you may
use as many words as you please; for example
say, ri would be much obliged if you would
SIT for me. sir" not forgetting to pronounce
the word "sit" very emphatically, for that is
his "cue.'
TO TEACH A DOG TO SIT.
Many people, in teaching the dog this trick,
begin by placing him in a corner and making
him sit there, after winch he is taught to SIT
alone without artificial support.
This is unnecessary, and it is better to at
once set the dog up in the middle of the
floor. Having placed him in the proper posi-
Quickly withdraw syour hands and he will,
doubtless, come down; seize him Immediately
and place him in position. again, at the same
time saying. kindly, but firmly, and with an
Withdraw your hands, but this time do not
wait for him to- come all the way down. but,
anticipating such move on his part, push
him into position and repeat your command.
Do this again and again., and should you
succeed IN getting him to SIT, even for mo
ment, unsupported at this his first lesson, be
assured that you have a most capable dog,
and reward him with small piece Of sugar
or meat, which you should always have at
hand when giving him lessons
It usually takes some little time to teach
dog this trick, which is a very important one,
invoking, as it docs, nice balancing. and it
is the ground work for many other tricks.
When once the dog has in this way learned
to "sit,y he viii perform the trick at com
mand and without assistance.
no MAKE A BOW WHILE SITTING
After having taught dog to s.sit" at com
mand. it is not hard to teach him to make
bow while in this position, which adds great
" TO the effect of the trick.