Information on working terriers, dogs, natural history, hunting, and the environment, with occasional political commentary as I see fit. This web log is associated with the Terrierman.com web site.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Oh, You're a Dog Trainer?
The
Bull Asian elephant Ramprasad and his mahout, Su-Mir, drag a 2-ton log 1.8 miles out of the forest. Watch what this elephant climbs over! It's easy to forget that animal training is not new, and was not invented at PetSmart! .
When I worked in the animal tent for Ringling Brothers 40 years ago, I was given the care of two elephants. Before each show, they were to be brushed down with a stiff bristled push broom, and I was told the commands for down & up. First, to get them on their knees, so that I could climb up on their back and start brushing from the top. Then once I was down on the ground, I would give the command for up, and finish them off. They especially liked it when I scratched their bellies. I can't remember what language it is that I was speaking, but they understood, on the very first day, what was expected of them. Working with those two is the only part of the circus that I miss.
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When I worked in the animal tent for Ringling Brothers 40 years ago, I was given the care of two elephants. Before each show, they were to be brushed down with a stiff bristled push broom, and I was told the commands for down & up. First, to get them on their knees, so that I could climb up on their back and start brushing from the top. Then once I was down on the ground, I would give the command for up, and finish them off. They especially liked it when I scratched their bellies. I can't remember what language it is that I was speaking, but they understood, on the very first day, what was expected of them. Working with those two is the only part of the circus that I miss.
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