290 FIELD SHOOTING. 



but I like it. It indicates a good nose and the 

 instinct to stand at point when the dog finds, and 

 these are two of the main qualities upon which 

 the future excellence of the youngster will depend. 

 The best dogs I have ever had would point little 

 birds around our house when puppies. The in- 

 stinct of a young, unbroken dog does not instruct 

 him as to what is game and what is not. They 

 learn that in breaking and in after-use. 



When a young dog runs in eagerly, there is no 

 need to be harsh with him at first. It will be 

 very easy to break him of that, and to make him 

 comprehend that he is not to repeat it. My plan 

 is to get young dogs eager after game, and then 

 instruct them as to the method by which it is to 

 be pursued and killed. Therefore I let them run 

 in and chase a few times. The worst dogs to 

 break are timid ones, which do not take much 

 notice of birds, and are easily cowed. With these 

 the utmost care and patience are required. With 

 eager dogs after a little while I endeavor to make 

 them understand that they are not to run in when 

 the old dog points, but to back him. If they run 

 in, then I whip them a little. If they persist in 

 doing so after that correction, I take another 

 method. Severe whipping does not answer the 



