BREAKING AND HANDLING. 63 



dog's working qualities. From the experience gained, there 

 is greater ability to control and handle dogs, every expe- 

 rience in any particular branch being beneficial in all 

 branches. 



No man can achieve success, or even passable success, as 

 a trainer or handler, who looks upon a dog as a senseless 

 piece of mechanism which works as the owner desires, and 

 thus gaining its reward by the grace of servitude to the 

 highest order of creation. To develop the highest capa- 

 bilities, the dog must be treated kindly as a companion, as 

 is his just merit. 



The amateur should cultivate a calm, equable exterior. 

 If he is excitable or easily irritated, showing it in voice and 

 manner, it will directly or sympathetically affect the dog. 

 If the amateur breaks shot himself when a bird is killed and 

 deports himself unsteadily otherwise in shooting, he can 

 rest assured that the dog will do likewise, whether broken or 

 unbroken. Dogs are very imitative and sympathetic. 

 They soon catch the excitement and unsteadiness of their 

 handler, also the excitement and unsteadiness of un- 

 broken dogs if hunted with such. Even when no game is 

 present, the handler can excite and unsteady his dog by 

 simulating a chase ; much easier is it then to excite him 

 when game is present. The demeanor should be as placid 

 and the manner as deliberate when shooting birds as if it 

 were the most ordinary occurrence. 



The ordinary tone of voice should be used, when possible, 

 in giving orders, and it is possible whenever the dog is 

 near enough to hear such tone. It is as equally effective 

 as the loudest and is incomparably superior in refinement. 

 Nothing is more disgusting than a bawling, bellowing de- 

 livery of orders. He who is loud, turbulent, devoid of field 

 etiquette and offensively impulsive in his acts and utter- 

 ances, will spoil the most capable dog in existence ; and if 

 5 



