TEACHING DOGS TRICKS. 79 



ing out her game ; but after Varnell had sorrowfully turned his 

 face homeward, she overtook him with one or two ducks in her 

 mouth; and the old doctor stated that he remembered Varne]I 

 saying that at one time, when she was most fatigued, she climbed 

 on a cake of floating ice, and after resting herself on it, renewed 

 the pursuit of the ducks. 



CHAPTER X. 



ORDINARY TRICKS PERFORMED BY DOGS. 



EVERY dog who has the good or ill fortune to be a mem- 

 ber of civilized society is usually fated to undergo a more 

 or less systematic education " in the way he should go." This 

 education may be either in the primitive style illustrated by 

 the administration of a vigorous kick accompanying the com- 

 mand "get out," to teach the dog to leave you, or the more 

 elaborate training which culminates in the production of a 

 canine prodigy. The capacity for education in dogs varies much 

 with different varieties, and even with individuals of the same 

 variety. While some are taught with the greatest difficulty, 

 others display a wonderful aptitude for learning, and acquire a 

 proficiency which is often really surprising. Whether it is pro- 

 posed to educate the animal as much as liis capacity will admit 

 of, or merely to teach him the things necessary for common con- 

 venience, the first thing is 



TO TEACH HIM HIS NAME. 



If a dog has any particular name by which he is usually ad- 

 dressed, he will in time learn to answer to it. With a little 

 system, however, he will learn much sooner than otherwise, and 

 where there are several dogs it is a good plan to make each 

 know his own distinctive title thoroughly, and to respond 

 promptly to it. This will render your intercourse with, and 

 your management of them, both easier and pleasanter. It may 

 be accomplished by a very simple process. When you feed 

 them, call each one by name to his food. If any of the others 

 come forward, send them back. By dividing the food into small 

 morsels and calling each dog in turn to receive his piece, always 

 insisting that he and no other shall receive it, considerable of a 

 lesson may be derived from each meal. When c'onvenicnt take 



