TRAINING DOGS. 188 
to the business. There is but little that you can teach 
such an one, as it is somewhat of a natural trait; and 
any other than a natural watch-dog, however much 
you may labor with him, will never be reliable: A 
barking dog, one that will be noisy on the approach of 
intruders, is the best; a dog that bites but does not 
bark is only fit to put in barns or other out-buildings 
nights, chaining him up day-times; and then he is 
dangerous, even to his keeper, as a sudden start will 
cause him to bite any one. To teach your dog, give him 
something to watch, saying, “Take care of it!” as you 
‘place him near the object. He will soon learn the word, 
and upon being directed to any particular thing, will 
faithfully guard it. While teaching him allow no one 
but yourself to approach him without setting him on. 
You may have a stranger approach him and tease him, 
you urging him to drive the person away, and as soon 
as he starts, let the person run, you calling the dog 
back. While young do not compel him to stay too long 
at one ‘thing, and when you go up to him say, “ That will 
do!” feeding him something. After the manner spoken 
of in the previous illustration, whenever you wish the 
dog to bite or go at any person or thing, you will teach 
him words the reverse of what you mean, such as, “Be 
still,” “Get out,” “Lie down.” You will see that a 
person not understanding the dog will not be very apt 
to get near him, as he would naturally make use of those 
words, and they would be setting him on, instead of 
quieting him’ To call him yourself, use such convenient 
word as you chovse, but not one naturally used by 
others. As this ingenious use of words is about the 
only new idea we can suggest to teach Watch Dogs, the 
master can exercise his own ingenuity to render it 
practical. 
