Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 January 1892 — HOW TO TRAIN DOGS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HOW TO TRAIN DOGS.

DIRECTIONS FOR THE EDUCAI TION OF CANINES. For Practical Purposes Puppies May He Treated Like Rapidly Developing In-' fants Obedience and Right - Doing Should Be Made Pleasant. Restraint Must Be Gradual. Two extreme views have for a long period been entertained in rogard to tho the training of the dog, says Dr. Wes ey Mills in the Popular Science Monthly, the one that he Isa wild, wayward creature to ba ‘•broken;’’ the other that ho neeks no special correction if properly taught from the first. Neither is quite correct A puppy full of life tends to do exactly as his Impulses move him, ti 1 the highest motive power, a desire to phase his master, is substituted. It follows that a puppy cannot be too soon led to understand that he has a master —kind, honest, intelligent and firm. Very early b-gin to instill into him

lessons of restraint, but only for the briefest periods, for the creature is as yet weak in brain and wiii power, though strong in instincts and impulses. The master or trainer must not be associated in his mind with unpleasantness, but with the reverse. Do not, therefore, punish him, but let him learn almost uncons6iously that certain actions and certain pleasures aro connected. He should s; on learn Ills name, should always come wliou called, hut not be summoned too often, especially if playing. It is well to carry a bit of biscuit, cheese, etc., to reward him for coming ut first. Later a pat of approbation w.ll suffice. The trainer should never undertake what he is not reasonably sure of accomplishing: and the first aim should a ways be to secure the dog’s attenti ,n an 1 interest, and to make tho accomplishment pleasant. Hut ho must know what is wanted, and if he cannot comprehend this tho lesson is unsuitable at this period. He must, however, obey If he understands; gentle compulsion, when once the purpose is understood, may beexcercised—e g.. If he will not come when he is called, he must not be whipped, as that will make the whole set of associations unpleasant, but he must be dragged by the back of the neck or bodily carried to whero the trainer stood when tho command was given; he must then bo

very gently reprimanded, then forgiven and made to feel that he is forgiven, and the ies-on repeated, always rewarding obediente in some way. The same general principles apply when dozs are taken aleld to be worked on some sort of game. At first tbe puppy may run towards almost every fo/in of life he sees. This is natural, and he would not be worth his keeping it lie did not show some such tendency to investigate the world about him. But he must b ■ restrained gradual'y. Ho must associate certain acts with tho, approva ; and others with the disapproval of him he respects, loves, an l wishes to please if he inly knows how. It should bo poin od out that all dogt should bo taught to come in tx whistle and to “down charge,” or io drop at some word of command or at the upraising of the hand. This applies to all breeds, though more especially to dogs used in shooting. Adig in the Held should also bo guided by the motions of his trainer’s hand. In learning this the voice, the whistle, and often a long cord will bo useful. No one should undertake tho training

of a dog to work on game who is not possessed of patience and good temper. Lacking these the puppy is apt to cause the trainer great worry and to get little good from him. if ho be not actually spoiled. It is, in fact, better to go afield

expecting that the. puppy will ao nothing as desired at'first; then one is prepared for the worst and may soon lay his p'ans to accompish what he alms at, which must a!ways be done In relation both to the dog and the circumstances. But with dogs examplb is strong for

good or evil. A steady, old trained dog 1s invaluable, Whileit disobedient, headstrong one will most assuredly ruin the puppy. Hut it is clearly f olish to expect a puppy under, a certain age to work on game with an older dog—indeed, to work on game at all—though

ranging, obeying the whistle, dropping, etc., should all bo taught before th« puppy is introduced to game. He must learn restraint and obedience, though it must be confessed tjiat a day’s work on ui tua game often quite transforms some puppic-'. But, as a rule, ten or twelve months will be quite soon enough tc introduce a puppy to actual work. Most puppies need a good deal of attention before they are perfectly steady on I oint, and to wing and shot, as theii natural tendency is to so-ure the game when they have found it ilow best tc overcome this is not always easy to decide. The dog must l.e encouraged to remain steady while his trainer moves up. Often the assistance of a second person to flush the bird will be useful, while the dog is approached and encouraged, but not allowed to rush on In this case a cheek-cord may be useful —to 1 e employed as little as possible. The example of a reiiablo old dog is invaluable. Some form of check that will make the dog defeat or punish himself is preferable to direct administration ol pun sliment by the trainer. Gun-shyness is but an exaggerated form of fear of unusual noises, and must

be treated according'y. Let the dog be gradually introduced to louder and loud er noises, never being allowed to escape, hut being made to see that no harm is meant him or can happen to him. As to whether it is worth while to attempt to cure the worst cases will depend much on other circumstances, as the dogs breoding, general intelligence, nose, etc. It may or may not be inherited. Though we have spoken chiefly of the training of hunting dogs it is simply bo cause that is usually more elaborate. All training is based essentially on the same principles, for the mind of the trainer and that of the dog are relative constants, whi e the circumstances are the variables. In every instance the dog, from the earliest period, must know the trainei as h s master, as one who knows his own mind and always is to be obeyed. But in order to insure this, tho principles we have already endeavored to enforce must be faithfully and intelligently ap plied, and it is very important, wo repeat, that nothing be undertaken thai cannot bs performed, and every advance in instruction approached by -slight gradation and frequent repetition. Ail

sound training must constantly keep in mind the individuality of the animal. The assumption that all dogs can be treated just alike is as erroneous as that all stomachs may have the same diet A dog kept constantly in a kennel . an never attain his highest psychical development, and it is the author's experience that it does every dog good to bring him into the house occasionally for shorl periods and allow him to mingle with the family. It raises tho animal In his own estimation and attaches him to his master, for whom he wih have increased respect.

BOB-TAIL SHEEP DOG.

BLOODHOUND CHAMPION, CROMWELL.

POINTER CHAMPION, BRACKET.

GREYHOUND, FULLERTON.

ROUGH-COATED CHAMPION, SIR BEDEVERE.

SMOOTH-COATED FOX TERRIER, THE BELGRAVIAN.

IRISH WATER SPANIEL, SHAUN.