36 The Care of Animals 



in training dogs or other animals is to attempt to 

 teach too much at once. A dog should be trained to 

 do one thing, and do it well, before another lesson is 

 attempted. Dogs that are confined either by chains 

 or in yards are easier to break than those that run at 

 large. 



When a dog has a tendency to run away and chase 

 stock or game a strong cord attached to the collar is 

 of great help in controlling him. If the dog is head- 

 strong, a collar with spikes on the inside, just long 

 enough to prick him sharply, can be used. The dog 

 should be spoken to sharply and firmly, and if he does 

 not mind a slight jerk on the collar will serve to re- 

 mind him. All faults and weaknesses in young dogs 

 should be watched for and corrected as soon as possi- 

 ble, as they are likely to grow rapidl}^ and to become 

 firmly fixed habits as the animal gets older. This is 

 especially true of a tendency to be cross to other ani- 

 mals or to people. It is difficult to break an old dog 

 of this vice. It is an adage that you cannot teach an 

 old dog new tricks. 



In breaking dogs avoid shouting, as it is as easy to 

 teach them to mind a single word or whistle, and much 

 more satisfactory. One of the surest ways to spoil a 

 dog is to club him or punish him severely for some 

 error which he may not understand and then allow 

 him to go free. 



CATS 



Cats hold a prominent place as pets on account 

 of their cleanly, domestic natures, and their useful- 



