Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1875 — Teaching a Dog to Perform Tricks. [ARTICLE]

Teaching a Dog to Perform Tricks.

We have taught our dog to go Into (ha corner when commanded in the following way: By attracting her 'attention to a piece of meat held rather out of reach, and gradually enticing her toward the comer, then talking to her all the time and instructing her how to stand, frequently repeating the word we wish her to particularly notice, viz.: “comer.” Afterstanding a second or two, we give her the meat, lengthening the time of standing between each lesson. - Now, when we point to the place and say “corner,” we find she walks in of her own accord, and of course is rewarded after. Another of her tricks Is' waltzing. This is done by holding apiece of meat high and moving it in a circle, saying “waltz,” and gently scolding when she jumps. She stands up and Walks, or rather runs, upon her hind legs, exactly as we move the meat. Now she will do it without meat when we say waltz. An. other trick is jumping over, through and nnder the back of a cane-bottomed chair. TBis we taught her by holding a piece of meat and standing some way behind the chair with her upon the seat; then showing her by pointing what we required her to do, we said “ over,” and she, of course, jumped over for the meat; the same “through” the bar and “nnder.” Of course she tried at first to do everything in the manner easiest to herself, but by practice she soon found it was no use. Another trick: We arrange the chairs in a semi-circle round the room and make her run over them npon the seats; this was done by enticing her from one chair to another. Now, we allow some distance between each chair, and she runs round at quickly as possible and stands up upon the last one, waiting for her titbit. A dog of ordinary sagacity can be taught almost anything by kindness and perseverance; but if you lose your temper or are impatient they are ruined, becoming either stubborn or nervous. The great Sling is to talk to dogs and encourage them and make companions of them.— Exchange, v