THE WELL-MANNERED DO& 41 



always associate a certain word or sign, or at the 

 most a brief sentence, with the performance of any 

 act you may require done. The puppy should lie 

 down when told, and come to heel promptly if called. 

 IA! wave of the hand should suffice to bring him in 

 if ranging widely. Once get these simple lessons 

 implanted, but little else is necessary for the average 

 dog to acquire, although in your hankering after 

 greater ambitions you may seek to instruct him in 

 various accomplishments. The teaching of tricks, 

 though not difficult, may be looked upon as a post- 

 graduate course. You may say that I am unduly 

 modest in my requirements, but how many dogs do 

 you know that would pass even so easy an examina- 

 tion? When you come to think of it, it will seem 

 pretty obvious to you that early training is usually 

 wholly neglected, the average man not caring to 

 take the little trouble called for, with the result that 

 we see a multitude of unruly creatures doing practi- 

 cally as they please, and wholly ignoring the repeated 

 objurgations of their masters. If it is a pleasure 

 to take out a canine companion who is under com- 

 plete control, it is equally a discomfort to have one 

 who does as he pleases and ignores one's commands. 

 Begin your lessons at an early age, and above 

 all things be firm. If you say that a' thing is to 

 be done, insist upon it, but do not fly into a tempen 

 and shout incoherent abuse, or, worse still, kick or 

 beat the unhappy object who has given you cause 

 for offence. You will only confuse the poor thing, 

 and possibly cow his spirit, which is the last thing 

 in the world one should wish to do. He may be 

 taught to lie down by repeating the injunction in 

 clear tones and pressing him to the ground at the 



