THE SETTER AND POINTER. 1 73 



therefore recommend that the caps be snapped as the 

 ball is thrown for the dog to bring in, as he will then 

 not notice it so much. This should be done quite of- 

 ten, until he gets acquainted with the gun ; when he 

 has become accustomed to it, — and it will not take 

 him long to do so, — he will, whenever he sees, his 

 master handling it, expect a good time at playing ball. 



The next step should be to take the dog and gun 

 into a field and find a robin, or a chipping-bird, which 

 shoot with a light charge of powder and shot, and 

 make the dog bring to you if you can. If he will not 

 readily do it, take the dead bird and perform as with 

 the ball, and if he will retrieve and give to hand, and 

 down, he is getting along very well. 



In shooting the birds keep the dog down by your 

 side, and in order to accustom him to the gun let him 

 frequently smell the muzzle of it. 



If he manifests no great fear of the gun when fired, 

 and will retrieve as above suggested, roam about with 

 him in the fields, killing occasionally any bird you may 

 come across. Pointers and setters both like sporting 

 about, and a short* experience of this sort will soon 

 accustom them to the gun ; and instinctively they will 

 associate its appearance in the hands of their master 

 with their own freedom and sport. 



Take home your dead birds with you, lay aside your 

 gun, and begin throwing your ball again and let the 

 dog bring it as before ; then throw out your dead birds 

 one at a time, and he will be pretty sure to bring them 

 to you. Now put up the dog in his kennel, and let 

 him rest. Go out alone and shoot a robin if near by, 



