170 



TEACHING TRICKS 



needless pain. It is well to make use of various little 

 tidbits as rewards for successful performance of tricks. 

 These serve as a powerful incentive to the animal as 

 well as to show him when he has done right. With- 

 holding the accustomed reward when he fails or hut 

 imperfectly performs his duty is much more effective 

 than any corporal punishment. The repetition of tlie 

 lesson until the animal will hunself perform the requir- 

 ed action, and the bestowal of these rewards whenever 

 he obeys your order, is really the main secret of train- 

 ing. Of course there are many imjportant details in" 

 the practical application, and many clever devices 

 resorted to by trainers to increase the effectiveness of 

 tricks, as well as skilful combinations of simple tricks 

 to produce elaborate and astonishing feats. 



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