88 THE ART OF TRAIXING ANIMALS. 



have we ever seen any mention of the dogs having been sub- 

 jected to any special training, and it is more than likely that 

 they never were. Animals, like men, are creatures of habit. If 

 a man becomes accustomed to a certain routine it is difficult for 

 him to change. Many merchants, retired from business, con- 

 tinue to pay a daily visit to their old offices, their brokers or 

 lawyers, just because not to do so would make them uncomfort- 

 able and restless. So a dog who has become used to accom- 

 panying his master on any regular round of duties will often 

 show that he understands where it is they are going by running 

 ahead and stopping at the accustomed place. We call to mind 

 a dog belonging to a gentleman residing some miles from this 

 city, who will serve as an example of what we have stated, 

 though probably all of our readers are familiar with instances 

 equally, if not more, remarkable. The gentleman was accus- 

 tomed to walk from his residence some half mile to take the 

 morning train for the city, and to return by a particular train in 

 the evening. The dog accompanied him to the cars in the 

 morning, and would again meet him on the arrival of the train 

 at night. It took him some weeks to learn when to expect his 

 master, but after that lie never made any mistakes. 



A writer in one of the magazines mentions a poodle who was 

 in the habit of going to church with his master and sitting with 

 him in the pew during the whole service. .Sometimes his 

 owner did not come, but the poodle was always promptly in his 

 place, remainmg during the service and departing with the rest 

 of the congregation. One Sunday the dam at the head of a 

 lake in the neighborhood gave way, and the whole road was 

 Inundated. The attendance at church that morning was there- 

 fore restricted to a few individuals who came from near by, 

 But by the time the clergyman had commenced, he saw ouf 

 friend the poodle coming slowly up the aisle dripping with water, 

 having been obliged to swim a quarter of a mile to get there. 

 It is not very difficult to teach a dog to go on errands. Sup- 

 pose you wish him to go to market for you of a morning ; take 

 him with you regularly for a few mornings, letting him carry 

 the basket. In a few days he will understand when you start 

 where it is you propose to go, and will, perhaps, run on ahead 

 and arrive therS some minutes before you. It would be well 

 on all occasions before starting to give the command, '^ Go to 

 market," which will accustom him to it. 



We do nor vouch for the truth of the story of the dog who, 

 on being given — when purchasing one time on his own account, 

 with money given him for that purpose— a piece of meat inferior 

 tQ ^hat he considered his due, went aiid brought a policeman. 



