DOGS. 711 



dogs are made unfit for useful service. Every Collie pup has a natural instinct for work 

 among sheep, nevertheless pups should be trained with an old dog. Their ardent 

 temperament requires subduing, and there is no more effectual way of doing this than 

 keeping them in company with an experienced dog. A long string attached to the pup s 

 neck, in the hands of the shepherd, is often necessary to make it become acquainted with the 

 language of the various evolutions connected with work. 



&quot;With this contrivance he may learn to &quot;Come in !&quot; &quot;Come in behind! &quot; &quot;Lie down ! &quot; 

 &quot;Be quiet ! &quot; &quot;Speak to them! &quot; &quot;Get over the fence ! &quot; He will, if due patience and con 

 stancy is exercised, learn all these terms, and others, in a short time. The bitch is generally 

 more acute in learning than the dog, and is not so apt to be lazy, though the dog will 

 bear the greater fatigue. The quietly-disposed shepherd mostly prefers the bitch, and is 

 chary of working her when in pup. 



The best time to begin the training of a pup is about the sixth or eighth month of its 

 age. When a year old or more, before his training is begun, he will never amount to much. 

 The most sensible and easily trained pups are those which are got by pure-bred and well-bred 

 parents, and from well-broke ancestors on both sides of the kennel. A Shepherd s dog takes 

 as much pleasure in driving sheep as some curs do in following a wagon; and it is as natural 

 for a Shepherd s dog to run back and forth behind a flock of sheep as it is for a setter to 

 raise his forefoot at the sight of game; but beyond this they have to be taught. Before 

 taking the young dog into the field, he should be perfectly familiar with you. He should 

 know his name, and mind you when called upon. If he is not attentive, or does not come 

 immediately, speak sharply to him, or lightly box his ears, but never jerk him by them; 

 practice this until he will come at your bidding, even if he knows he is to get a flogging. 

 Never punish the dog unless he knows why he gets punished. Do not whip him before 

 you are satisfied whether he understands your order, or whether he disobeys from unwil 

 lingness. 



All orders should be accompanied by a motion with the hand in the direction you wish 

 him to go. If he does not come when called upon, or refuses to go in the direction you send 

 him, continue to give the same order, and make the same motion until you can get up to him, 

 and then punish him, if he deserves it. Never let him go without correction when he dis 

 obeys, and then, an hour after, when he has forgotten all about it, whip him because you 

 have finally got hold of him, and are angry. In order to give your dog confidence in you, 

 and make him attached and obedient, your conduct should be such as to make him think 

 you a right good fellow. A few whippings may possibly be necessary with certain dogs in 

 the course of training, but the whippings should be few and far between, and always with 

 moderation, and with a feeling of due regard for humanity; otherwise your dog is apt to 

 become dogged, morose, sullen, and a coward. 



The rudiments of training of a Shepherd dog consist in bringing him to promenade back 

 and forth from one side of the flock to the other at the motion of your hand. The next step 

 will be to have him pass up the side of the flock yourself and the dog supposed to be at 

 the rear of the flock. Your dog is supposed to be conversant with the meaning of this motion 

 of your hand and arm; so when you point forward with your left hand and arm, you must 

 continue calling out the words, Away up! until he gets hold of your meaning, and goes up 

 along the left of the flock. Having nothing else to do, exercise your patience and improve 

 your voice by a constant reiteration of your commands always throwing your arjn out, as 

 you would in directing a man who was beyond the reach of your voice. Idleness is the pro 

 genitor of laziness and vice, wherefore, in order to prevent your pup from acquiring either of 

 these habits, keep him constantly occupied, by putting in almost your entire time in making 

 him do something, provided, of course, that you do not worry the flock or tire your dog too 

 much. By degrees, the dog will be urged up towards the head of the flock, and partly 



