Beeton's book of poultry and domestic animals: showing how to rear and manage them, in sickness and in health by Beeton Samuel Orchart 1831-1877

Author:Beeton, Samuel Orchart, 1831-1877
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Poultry, Domestic animals
Publisher: London, S. O. Beeton
Published: 1870-03-25T05:00:00+00:00

POMEKANIAK DOG.

THE DOG.

MOUNT SAIKT BERNARD MASTIFF.

One of the most wonderfnl dog stories ever related appeared some time ago in that higUy respectable medical journal the Lcmcet, — a sufficient guarantee, it may be fairly assumed, for its authenticity. It is an important feature of the narrative that the owner of the dogs was a gentleman of good means, who trained the animals solely for his amusement and that of his friends:—

" Two fine dogs, of the Spanish breed, were introduced by M. Leonard, with the customary French poUtesse —the largest, by the name of M. Philax; the other, as M. Brae (or Spot). 'ITie former had been in training three, the latter two years. They were in vigorous health, and having bowed very gracefully, seated themselves on the hearth-rug side by side. M. Leonard then gave a lively description of the means he had employed to develop the cerebral system in these animals ; how, from having been fond of the chase, and ambitious of possessing the best trained dogs, he had employed the usual course of training—how the conviction had been impressed on his mind, that by gentle usage, and steady perseverance in inducing the animal to repeat agaia and again what was required — not only would the dog be capable of performing that specific act, but that part of the brain which was brought into activity by 17 <^

the mental effort would become more largely developed, and hence a permanent increase of mental power be obtained. Tliis reasoning is in accordance with the known laws of the physiology of the nei-vous system, and is fraught with the most important results. We may refer the reader interested in the subject to the masterly little work of Doctor Verity, ' Change produced in the Nervous System by Civilization.' After this introduction, M. Ldonard spoke to his dogs in French, in his usual tone, and ordered one of them to walk, the other to lie down, to run, to gallop, halt, crouch, &c., which they performed as promptly and correctly as the most docile children. Then he directed them to go through the usual exercises of the manet/e, which they performed as well as the best-trained ponies at Astley's. He next placed six cards of different colours on the floor, and, sitting with his back to the dogs, directed one to pick up the blue card, and the other the white, &c., varying his orders rapidly, and speaking in such a manner that it was impossible the dogs could have executed his commands if they had not a perfect knowledge of the words. For instance, M. Ldonard said, 'Philax, take the red card and give it to Brao; and Brae, take the white card and give it to Philax.' The dogs instantly did this, and exchanged cards with each other. He then said, ' Philax, put your card on the green; and Brao, put yours on the blue,' and this was instantly performed. Pieces of bread and meat were placed

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.