Evening star., 1949-01-11
TRAINING DOG.
From Mrs. Z. S.. Wdshinoton. J

To Mrs. A. J. L., Silver Spring
Have patience with the pup that
Is difficult to train. Do have pa
tience, and realize how trying ii
Is for young animals to learn al
we expect of them when we don't
even speak the same language, they
must learn our tone Of voice anc
will react better to short commands
and praise. Also to form regular
habits is best. We trained our dogs
to be we'll behaved with a few sim.
pie ideas which I hope may helr
in your case with the cocker spaniel
When our dogs dug holes in the
yard, a natural thing for pups. es.
pecially at times to bury a bone
we put red pepper in the spot, sc
he got a Whit enough to sneeze
(spanked him lightly on the flank
with a folded newspaper. The next
time he might go to same spot anc
the pepper was a reminder. A new
place dug up would get the same
treatment and they soon quit, ex.
cept sometimes they found q more
secluded place back in the flower
bed that wouldn't show as in the
lawn, and then we felt they were
entitled to some natural ways.
To avoid chewing rugs, stockings
etc., we tried the method prescrib.
ed for parents with their children
"do," instead Of don't" That is
provide a special toy of sufficient
interest that the pup learns it is
his, give it to him in place of what
ever he picks up that he should leave
alone. He'll soon know. We trieo
various things, found out they
chewed up soft rubber toys, didn't
like hard rubber, so I cut an ole
felt hat in about three or fou,
pieces, rolled each one up like a big
cigar and tied with string from one
end to the other. They were soft
enough to chew on, to shake anc
toss around, not likely to break
anything, wouldn't roll under things
no danger Of turning your ankle II
you step on it and can be washed
BY having several Of such toys
they are handy and the pup soor
learns where to find out If you put
them within his reach when yol
tidy up the house. Ours played with
these felt "baby dolls" as we callet
them and never bothered anything
else. The one dog would run ant
get 1t first thing every morning ant
sing" with it in his mouth, goinl
to each one in the family for prais'
and a little gentle pulling or tossing
1t II he gave 1t up for us to throw
it. He kept 1t up even when h
was is years old and always shove,
of for company. A dog loves prais
and will respond better to kindnes
than harsh treatment, so with you
love for this pup of yours and hi
tolerance toward your son, it shoult
be worth trying while longer. Re
member, they are both very young
Furthermore, when young childrel
have pups to play with, oftentime
the pup might like to be quiet, bu
the youngsters pick them up, teas
them, excite them, and though the.
don't mean to be cruel sometime
they have to be taught how to con
slider the other fellows feelings
When the pup jumps up, push hin
down gently but firmly, holding hin
down If necessary and talk softl.
telling him to stay down, pat hin
and say down" He'll soon learn
As soon as a pup wakes he shoult
be put out or if weather Is bad, pu
him on newspapers. My dogs wer'
housebroken when quite young
They never begged at the table be
cause I fed them before we hat
dinner.
The veterinarian advises agains
candy and cake, that it's like feed
ing them poison and it is likely tt
cause breaking out between tn
toes or sores in the ears. Becaus
my dogs were not allowed cand.
when they were young and forming
habits they couldn't be tempted t.
eat any later on. It's just lik
raising plants, rearing children o
dealing with grownups. Use com
mon sense and treat them with du
consideration same as we would lik
to be treated for our own good.