"If you care to launch your dog successfully on a motion-picture career, it is necessary to remember that he must do what he is told---when he is told. Motion-picture producers do not like to waste time and film on an animal who is uncertain about his action. No matter how clever a dog he may be, he will be useless as a picture performer unless his actions are under your control at all times. New things will be asked of him in each picture; but if your dog has been well-grounded in obedience, he will learn any new piece of picture business in a very short while.

Even though you and your dog understand each other thoroughly after learning the lessons contained in this book, you can, and should, think of new things to teach him each day. When you have the fundamental ideas of dog training, and know how the dog should be handled to get the best results, you are perfectly equipped to carry his education farther.

If he begs by waving his paws while he sits up, cue him "Beg!"

Plan routines for him to do. Make up a motion-picture scene of your own and have someone help you by portraying a part with the dog. Place a box or chair to represent a motion-picture camera and mark out lines from the camera to show which area is being registered in the scene. Then place boxes where they will designate entrances and exits. Rehearse your action several times and be sure that you do not get within the lines while you are working the dog. When you think the scene is perfected, pretend that you are ready for a "take." Keep in mind that you must waste as little film as possible, and try to make your dog perform his part correctly the first time.

It is well to have your dog make the acquaintance of cats, mice, squirrels, rabbits, chickens, goats and horses. Do not allow him to harm any of them.

Let your dog ride on the back of a gentle horse and hold the bridle reins in his mouth. Also teach him to lead a horse by the reins or by a rope."
An excerpt from Henry R. East's 1933 dog training masterpiece.

As soon as I saw this book in the garbage pile, I HAD TO HAVE IT. I think I've said that before about titles, but this book is not only a vintage gem, but it's actually practical! If, of course, I had a dog to train.

I tried to find more information on Mr. Henry R. East, but alas found none. I would not be surprised, however, if he was in some Hollywood archive...

See, even a child can train a dog! Even if said child, is Jackie Cooper.

Sometimes, they just do it themselves...

I think my favorite chapter of this book, is the chapter on Admonition.

DON'T WHIP YOUR DOG!
I love this because not only is he stating, that it's wrong, but that it shows that you are a douche bag if you do it. "You want your dog to work for you because he loves you, and not because he fears you."

Will Rogers would never beat a dog, and neither should you.

SIT

Get on the box! (This definitely won't lead to getting on the counter).

SHAKE!

Take a ride! and stuff...

More than SHAKE, you have SHAKE IT UP... pre-Elvis naturally

HOWL! (followed by shhhhhh)

Eat your foot and go to sleep

In 1936, Miss Mary Kelly wrote the book, "How to make a pageant" and mentions East's book, "HOW TO TRAIN DOGS

For the Home, Stage, and Moving Pictures. 

Large crown 8vo, cloth, 196 pp., fully illustrated. 5s. net. 

By HENRY R. EAST, Owner and Trainer of Many Famous 

Motion-picture Dogs. 

Makes the training of the household pet an enjoyable task. 

With information on the choice of breed, and instructions 

fpr teaching many amusing tricks."

Because nothing says PAGEANT like a dog trained to howl and put himself to bed!

Now if you want this awesome book for yourself, you can buy a copy... Or you can download a copy. NOTE: I do not know ANYTHING regarding the validity of this download link, or its quality, OR its legality.

Now get the hell out there and TRAIN THAT DOG!

I’ll be completely honest with you. I had no idea what I grabbed when I picked this book up out of the trash pile. I didn’t look at the publication date, I barely read the cover (it needs new binding), and I just threw it on my desk thinking, I’d look at it later. (Just like the other piles of books I will look at later). What I have found, however, is a treasure. This book is an AMAZING glimpse into the past. The writer, Joseph R. Gay, was an African American writer looking to improve the lives of his fellow African Americans. Some of the scans I am providing here are definitely funny as they are dated. Science has changed, social norms have changed. However, I think many people, who are not white, are still struggling in America, so in a way… Not much has changed. I didn’t find much information on Gay, but what I did find through Google, I am posting here. If I had more time (not much of that these days), I’d do some actual research and try to find more information beyond Google. The scans I am providing are just a short snippet of what is in this book. I hope, someday, that someone scans the entire book as it is AMAZING. Some scans are funny. Some are strange. Some document the struggle of African Americans at the beginning of the last century. Yet all of them are interesting look at the past. I just wish this book was complete (a few of the last pages are missing) and that I had the money to rebind it.

From “Black Conservatism: Essays in Intellectual and Political History” edited by Peter R. Eisenstadt p. 143

"Lifelines of Success" By Joseph R. Gay 1913

A Practical Manual of Self-Help for the Future Development of the Ambitious Colored American: The Whole Embracing an Inspiring Symposium on Our Present Day Opportunities, Lessons from the Ancient and Glorious History of the Race and The Wonderful Civilization of Our Ancestors as an Example to the Rising Generation: Words of Wisdom from the Wiseman's Philosophy as a Guide to a Happy and Successful Life, To Which is Added Life Lines of Knowledge, Presenting a Series of Valuable Instructions for the Self-Improvement of Those Who Desire to Keep Step with The Progress of the Race. An uncommon self-help book that was marketed to African American households, presumably by salesmen (or book agents) going door-to-door soliciting subscriptions. (6B) http://www.aahmsnj.org/docent/docent14.html

The cover

Title page

Descriptions of other races weren't very kind.

This was inserted in the book along with a dried flower, which I tossed. You'd be surprised (or maybe you wouldn't), what people leave in books.

This section had a LARGE amount of information. The author would tell you to save money, to educate your kids, to be kind to your wife, and so on and so forth.