CO THE ART OF TRAINING ANIMALS. 



the ball and set it slowly in motion 5 as you do this tap his 

 hind legs gently from behind to urge him to step forward. It 

 may be necessary to hold him in position by the nape of the 

 necli at first, but he should very soon learn to retain his position 

 without this aid. When he rolls the ball readily upon a level, 

 substitute a wide planli very slightly inclined, up which he 

 should be required to roll the ball. Increase the inclination of 

 the plank slightly with each lesson, but the descent should only 

 be attempted after he has been thoroughly drilled in the pre 

 ceding exercises. It will be necessary to commence with a very 

 slight inclination and to promptly stop the ball should the dog 

 begin to lose control of it. The width of the plank may be 

 decreased eventually to some ten or twelve inches. 



To stand entirely upon the ball while it is in motion, and to 

 propel it backward and forward, and up and down the inclined 

 plane, starting and stopping it as well as guiding its motions in 

 the desired direction — is a more difficult feat. In this the dog 

 must be practiced in standing upon the ball while it has no 

 motion ; in several lessons in this just the barest possible motion 

 is to be given to the ball while a slight hold upon the dog's neck 

 keeps him in position. The motion may be slowly increased 

 with each lesson, but the ball must for many lessons be held 

 firmly with the hand to prevent it becoming unmanageable. 

 When the dog becomes able to maintain his position he may be 

 required to manage the ball without any assistance. In all 

 cases where he gets down from the ball, accidentally or willfully, 

 he should be spoken to sharply, but the trainer should be equally 

 prompt to praise and reward success. 



TO WALK ON STILTS. 



The stilts used in this trick are about twelve or fifteen inches 

 in length, made to fasten to the leg just below the knee joint, 

 with tape or thin flexible leather straps. When four are used 

 there is no particular training required to make the dog walk 

 upon them 5 it being only necessary to put him "on his pins" 

 again whenever he upsets. The tumble is sufficient punishment 

 for his failures. Walking man fashion on only two stilts is a 

 much more difficult task, though it has been accomplished in 

 some cases. The dog should be first thoroughly taught the 

 walking erect trick, then stilts may be put on his hind legs. A 

 cord attached to his collar and held in the trainer's hand will 

 aid in maintaining the dog's balance until he becomes accus- 

 tomed to his novel position. Of course the dog cannot raise 

 liimself upon the stilts, but must be placed erect by the trainer. 

 The farther training is sim.ilar to that described for teachmg 



