The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-03-31
Tricks Anu Dog Can be Taught

placed in the position desired and held
there wh'e the word of command Is
repeated. After the dog has learned
what is expected of him 1t will be un-
enough to stand over him with a
threatening hand. II it be desired to
have the dog fall down and lie as II
dead when o point a stick or gun
at him, the stick must be used from
the first. The dog must associate the
stick with the word of command. II
you want the dog to spring up at a
the same time lifting the dog sharply
to its feet.
The ancient handkerchief and Slip
per tricks are equally simple. If the
dog is to fetch the slippers, repeat the
word slippers" or whatever h COM
his ears, lead the dog to the slippers.
place them in his mouth, hold them
there, and lead him back. Good results
are sometimes obtained by substi-
tuting q piece OF meat for the SLIP
pers until the meaning Of the COM
mand has been made clear. In teach
ing q dog to hide q handkerchief. put
the handkerchief in his mouth. and
while repeating the command over and
over again put him through the exer-
cises.
An unusual trick among pet dogs is
that of crawling along on their stom-
achs with all feet extended. This Is
rarely seen off the stage, and yet it Is
q comparatively simple trick to teach.
Place the dog in the position desired
and hold him firmly with one hand
pressed on his back. Now, to make
your meaning clear take the same pos
ition yourself On the floor beside him,
repeating the word of command as in
other tricks. With the dog held in the
same position, you now crawl Is
~ as possible as you wish him to crawl.
1t is surprising how quickly the dog
will learn this apparently difficult trick
n carry 1t out at a word.
The more difficult tricks follow nat
urally. 1t is little more difficult to
teach a dog to walk on his front or
legs or dance at the word of COM
The general rule in all this
Is to put the dog through
the trick gently and firmly while re-
peating the command, and at the same
time, whenever possible, give the dog
an object lesson by taking the same
yourself. Thus, to teach a
dog to walk on its front legs with its
body held upright, place n hand on
the dogs neck, holding his leg up with
the other. Now repeat the command at
words and moving him forward. Nat
urally this takes longer than some of .
the similar tricks. 1t will be a matter
OF weeks before the dog viii become
letter perfect. The trick is an exceed
lngly attractive one, however, and will
we'll repay the labor and patience re-
CURED in teaching it.
The little dog that runs in and out
and o the cows legs at the circus.
describing close curled Fights. always
delights the audience, and here again
IS q trick within the Intelligence of the
average pet dog. Stand with your
leet we'll apart and put the dog through
he exercise a few times daily. He will
earn the trick In a surprisingly short
time. AS he becomes more familiar
WIN the exercise his pace may be
rage observer. a very highly trained !
trick dog.
A small dog may be taught to stand
balancing himself on your hand or
knee. or even on your head, Il YOU are
willing to go about 1t in the right way.
Inc same general rule applies to this
as IN all others. Put the dog
md again. until the trick is firmly es-
in his mind. 1t is IMPORT
n that you should neverl ct him slim
Or TALL or In any way shake his con-
in you. w.
A lesson should not extend much
over half an hour. One lesson a day
Will be quite enough for most dogs and !
never more than two lessons Should
oe given on the same day. The time
tor teaching the tricks should come at
about the same hour. so that the dor
learn to expect them and be ready
.or them. All work n no play viii
aefeat ones purpose. 1t will be found
AA "as'e