EDUCATING DOGS.
TO ROLL A BARREL.
Place, on the dog the Bonaparte bridle so that you may control him; then put his fore-feet upon the barrel, standing in front of him with a piece of meat extended towards him, and say, “Roll the barrel;” pull gently on the cord, and if he should start the barrel don’t fail to caress him. With two dogs, put one on the top of the barrel, and they will quickly learn to roll it without being enticed by meat.
TO FIRE A GUN.
Drill a hole in the back of a common chair; attach a piece of iron at the lower part of the pistol, and place it in the chair as illustrated; tie a string with a knot in the end, to the trigger; let it run through a ring in the butt of the pistol, then tie a piece of meat to the end of the string; now the dog will try to get the meat; in doing so he will fire it off. Load the pistol with blank cartridges. A few lessons will educate the animal so that at the order, “Make ready—present—fire!” he will obey. Place his mate in front of the pistol in a sitting posture and stand near him, and when the report is heard, teach him to lie down, which you can easily do by at first pressing him down with your hand until he will mind the word “dead.” Dogs are remarkably fond of being caressed, and the reader should not neglect this important accompaniment to his instructions.
EDUCATION OF DOGS—Continued