BREAKING AND HANDLING. 53 



least. The advance should be made slowly and steadily, 

 catching his eye and holding it. The hands should be pro- 

 ' tected with heavy gloves. Reach out the left hand slowly 

 toward him, and if he snaps at it, do not withdraw it. It is 

 a thousand to one his snap falls short purposely, or, if he 

 grasps the hand, it will be gently done. By no means at- 

 tempt to take the hand forcibly away, and show no trepida- 

 tion. Gently remove the hand and reach for his collar; after 

 it is grasped, it is an easy matter to put the spike collar on 

 him. There are some dogs so vicious that it is unsafe to 

 trust to the influence of the eye or the fears of the dog. 

 With such, when the left hand is advanced, the right should 

 be held in readiness to give him a blow in the ear as he 

 makes his attack, the left being withdrawn simultaneously; 

 or make a feint of reaching quickly with the left, and 

 quickly catch his collar with the right hand as he snaps at 

 the left. If this cannot be done quickly and dexterously, it 

 is better not to attempt it, as he might catch the right hand. 

 Any trainer having the necessary nerve can put the collar 

 on by one or other of these methods. . But if the novice does 

 not care to attempt it, he can whip the dog into submission. 

 Give him a good, hearty whipping; if he growls when the 

 hand is extended toward him, repeat it; continue the treat- 

 ment till his collar can be grasped without any aggressive 

 demonstration on his part. 



A sulky dog is a very unpleasant subject to train. When- 

 ever they are restrained in the exercise of their own will, 

 they work sullenly and badly, if they work at all. This dis- 

 position has several different degrees. Some dogs will 

 endure a certain limited quantity of restraint or correction 

 before sulking, while others will sulk for hours at the first 

 disagreeable occurrence. While a dog, having this nature, 

 is in training, particularly after the yard breaking is com- 

 pleted, every care should be taken to keep him as cheerful 



