Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/172

 " Hiding a biscuit with his paw PETS 152 successful effort should be rewarded with a lump of sugar or a biscuit. Never teach a new trick until the last one is thoroughly mastered, but go over all the old tricks every day, so that the dog may not forget any of his repertoire. Rolling a barrel is a novel and effective drawing - room trick. The barrel should be covered with velvet to make it more decora- tive. Teach the dog to jump on to it, and to roll it, by means of hoMing a bribe, in the Ghape of a biscuit, just beyond his reach and over his head . Direct] y he succeeds in rolling the barrel even a few feet in the right direction, give him a reward, and start again. Skipping is another effective trick, but is best performed out of doors. G^t two people to turn the rope slowly, and, to begin with, stand on the opposite side of the rope to the dog and, by tempting him with a biscuit, make him jump over the rope as it turns. Next take one handle yourself, holding a bit of biscuit over the rope with the other hand, call " Jump ! " and turn .the rope skilfully under his feet as the dog springs into the air. If he is rewarded each time the rope passes successfully under him, he will soon learn to skip half a dozen turns of the rope in succession, and will " run in" just as a child does. Shutting the Door is a most useful trick for a house-dog, and is taught by means of opening the sitting-room door for about a foot. Having pointed it out to the dog and exclaimed " Shut door ! " hold a bit of biscuit up just beyond the dog's reach. As he scrambles to reach the biscuit, he pushes the door to, for which he should at once be patted and rewarded, and the lesson immediately repeated, using the same words, at least half a dozen times. Soon he will learn to run to any door which stands ajar and shut it, if it is pointed out to him with the words " Shut door ! " and a bit of biscuit should be kept in readiness to reward him for his trouble. Dying for His Country is another good trick which is soon taught with a little patience. Place the puppy in position, and say "Die!" in a low, deep voice several times, until he remains quite still "Bobs puts out a lighted with his eyes shut for a moment; then, in a high, cheerful voice, cry " Rats ! '' and up he will spring and dart off with alacrity. Bobs used to illustrate the following little anec- dote told by his mis- tress and founded on this trick. "Once there was a, poor little dog who by - and - by died." Bobs proceeded to "die." "A policeman came along and shouted, ' Get up, you bad dog ! ' And then a boy came along and gave him a kick " — suiting the action to the word — " but still the little dog remained lying as dead. Then his mistress came along and cried, ' Why, Bobs ! ' and knelt down and kissed him." And in an instant Bobs was alive again, frolicking and barking round the teller of the story ! Walking on its hind legs is an invaluable trick, for it makes the foundation for many- others. Fox-terriers are specially easily taught to perform this trick. Hold a bit of biscuit just over the dog's head, repeating the word " walk " encouragingly, and help it at first to get its balance by means of a short, stiff cane or rod — a small curtain- rod cut in half answers the purpose admirably — which may be just slipped ^under its front 5ii paws to help it to main- tain its balance as it stretches up after the biscuit. Teach it to walk in this way a few steps at a time, at first with, and afterwards without, the help of the balancing rod, and when once it has thoroughly found its balance it will soon learn to cross the room on its hind legs at the word of command. Now have a little suit made consisting of hat, soldier's jacket, and gun, or a little bride's dress, with a gathered train springing out from just above the wearer's tail, so that it can be used to stick the dress out behind, keeping it clear of its feet ; add a tiny orange-blossom wreath and a veil, fastened on with fine elastic, and the "bride" will create the greatest delight, particularly at a children's party, entering the room standing erect on her hind legs, and bsing led along by her mistress. ith his paw"