The only universal rule for working animals recognized by all trainers
is this: First, _show_ the creature what you wish done; then _make_ him
do it. Easily said, but sometimes almost impossible in practice. I have
yet to find any other line of human effort demanding such unwearying
patience and application, shifty tact and unflagging alertness. All of
these mental qualities are brought into activity during every moment
that a trainer is working his animals. And not for an instant may he
safely slacken his courage or control. A stout heart is his only
safety. To go into a cage in a state of fear is recognized among these
men as a fool-hardy undertaking.
My observation is that trainers almost universally prefer captured
animals to those born in captivity, so far as working purposes are
concerned. This preference is founded on practical experience--for your
animal trainer is little inclined to theorize or experiment in his
work. The answer which my trainers have invariably returned to
questions on this point of animal nature has been: The wild animal is
afraid of man, recognizes him as a strange, dangerous enemy, and is
willing to make a safe retreat from him. The carnivorous beast born in
captivity is accustomed to the daily sight of man, and has not the
wholesome and instinctive fear of him that dwells in the breast of the
free-born denizen of the jungle. On the other hand, the cage-born
creature seems to retain all the mean, treacherous and savage traits of
its race.
Then the trainers declare that the jungle-reared animals are more
intelligent and active, and therefore make better performers. This I
have no reason to doubt. Leopards are the least in favor among
trainers, and the latter prefer to undertake the education of lions
rather than tigers, as the former have more stability of disposition,
and lack the element of treachery which seems so universally a
characteristic of cat nature.