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 had a perfect knowledge of the words. For
instance, M. Léonard said, "Philax, take the red card and give it to
Brac; and, Brac, take the white card and give it to Philax;" the dags
instantly did this, and exchanged cards with each other. He then said,
"Philax, put your card on the green, and Brac, put yours on the blue;"
and this was instantly performed. Pieces of bread and meat were placed
on the floor, with figured cards, and a variety of directions were given
to the dogs, so as to put their intelligence and obedience to a severe
test. They brought the meat, bread, or cards, as commanded, but did not
attempt to eat or to touch unless ordered. Philax was then ordered to
bring a piece of meat and give it to Brac, and then Brac was told to
give it back to Philax, who was to return it to its place. Philax was
next told he might bring a piece of bread and eat it; but, before he had
time to swallow it, his master forbade him, and directed him to show
that he had not disobeyed, and the dog instantly protruded the crust
between his lips.
While many of these feats were being performed, M. Léonard snapped a
whip violently, to prove that the animals were so completely under
discipline, that they would not heed any interruption.
After many other performances, M. Léonard invited a gentleman to play a
game of dominos with one of them. The younger and slighter dog then
seated himself on a chair at the table, and the writer and M. Léonard
seated themselves opposite. Six dominos were placed on their edges in
the usual manner before the dog, and a like number before the writer.
The dog having a double number, took one up in his mouth, and put it in
the middle of the table; the writer placed a corresponding piece on one
side; the dog immediately played another correctly, and so on until all
the pieces were engaged. Other six dominos were then given to each, and
the writer intentionally placed a wrong number. The dog looked
surprised, stared very earnestly at the writer, growled, and finally
barked angrily. Finding that no notice was taken of his remonstrances,
he pushed away the wrong domino with his nose, and took up a suitable
one from his own pieces, and placed it in its stead. The writer then
played correctly; the dog followed, and won the game. Not the slightest
intimation could have been given by M. Léonard to the dog. This mode of
play must have been entirely the result of his own observation and
judgment. It should be added that the performances were strictly
private. The owner of the dogs was a gentleman of independent fortune,
and the instruction of his dogs had been taken up merely as a curious
and amusing investigation. [1]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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