The Training of Wild Animals

by Frank Charles Bostock

In Which I Become "The Boy Trainer" - A Lion Hunt in a Sewer Origin and History of Wild Animal Training Housekeeping for Wild Animals The Feeding of Snakes and Elephants Characteristics of Different Animals "Going Bad" - The Animal Instinct How Wild Animals are Captured The Wild Animals' Kindergarten How Wild Animals are Taught Tricks An Animal Show at Night The Principles of Training The Animal Trainer - Some Famous Trainers Guarding Against Accidents

Genres: Nonfiction

276 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1903

About the author

Francis Charles Bostock (1866 - 1912) was an English entrepreneur and animal trainer, who represented the touring section of the Bostock and Wombwell Menagerie. He toured Europe and America and in the latter he was known as "The Animal King".

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to rate this one; as a training resources, it is not particularly detailed or practical (and focuses almost exclusively on large cats), but as a peek into the history of exotic animal training, it is perfect. My copy is actually the original 1903 edition, and is the earliest complete work on the subject I've read. The difference in attitude toward animals and training is fascinating.

The author frequently states that fear and cruelty are poor and ineffective methods in training animals, yet the techniques he describes are fairly harsh, relying a good deal on domination (and I deliberately use this term instead of "dominance"). He often comments on the amazing strength of the special power that man holds over animals. He describes many accidents and makes mention that it is virtually inevitable that animals will "go bad" after a few years, it is simply their nature (though in reality it probably has more to do with his techniques). Most interesting to me was the chapter on how they captured animals in the wild -- the offhand way in which he describes how many die in the process, and necessary killing of the mother to get to the cubs, etc.

All this being said, his writing itself is amazing. He is beautifully articulate and has an edge of humor that makes the book a very entertaining read as a whole.

[Rick West · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have the 1903 hardcover edition.