MY DOG

My dog is a mongrel. He is partly Scotch collie and the rest cur. He is worth his keep many times. He catches gophers; he drivers [sic] the horses and cattle; he will hold a pig if I tell him to do so; he will chase a coyote; he will only bark at visitors in daytime, but will not admit strangers at night; he will guard a blanket or coat left by me until he starves; he will go with the kiddies (two little girls) to play and will see that nothing molests them; he will bark and chase away hawks. He used to eat eggs, but a good dose of cayenne pepper put wisdom into his head.

He stays in his own house and eats out of his own plate. He drinks out of the horse trough if his own trough gets empty. Now he never runs a mile to bark and chase cars, vehicles and the like either. He used to do that, but a good licking the second time he was caught at it put him wise again.

You ask how to train dogs? Just treat them humanely and feed and care for them as they should be. Talk only business to them. Pet them little. Keep them outside of the dwelling, but fix a warm snug place for them. Use a whip or pull their ears when giving punishment. Keep the children off their backs until they are a year old at least, then they will not allow any foolishness like that. Children who fondle dogs are sure to eat hairs and are subject to catch different diseases. If the dog is fed plenty he rarely goes seeking dead carcases. If he is treated with the respect a dog should have he will obey and respect those with whom he associates. Never allow a dog to jump upon one with the forepaws, as they do not know Sunday clothes from any other and do not seem to think of the fact that mud or manure may be on their feet. In the first three or four months a dog is trained, or he is a hopeless beast ever afterwards. Two trips to town behind a rig or car and you might as well shoot him. Show the dog what to do and his instinct will teach him to do it if he is not abused. Young dogs should be treated as young children in the way of rebuke. Punishment should be light but to the point. If the dog has sense he will show it soon. If he is senseless he should be shot before he eats as much as would raise a pig. Most dogs are a dirty nuisance and should be killed.

Sask. “Student Farmer”