12 MODERN TRAINING. 



the dog's highest capabilities that is above methods and 

 cannot be expressed in words any more than all the differ- 

 ent colors of the rainbow, in their finest blendings, shape, 

 relations, concentricity, and degrees of intensity, could be 

 so portrayed. This refinement is in training the dog not 

 only so that he will do the work, but so that he will have a 

 full comprehension of its purposes and the interdependen- 

 cies of all the different parts. He has then a full under- 

 standing of the acts of his master and loves to work for him 

 alone, whereas, when he began, he worked solely for his 

 own pleasure. To reach this refinement, the dog must be 

 treated kindly as a rational animal. When he performs an 

 intelligent act, he should be encouraged to know that he 

 has done well. Do not make the mistake of thinking that 

 he will not understand it. He will soon be on the watch to 

 learn what acts are correct and pleasing, and worthy of 

 approbation. He will learn by observation his master's 

 moods and habits, and will take keen pleasure in working 

 when he works and resting when he rests. There is a 

 mutual bond of sympathy and understanding, a subtle com- 

 prehension, by which the dog works to the will of his mas- 

 ter, when perfectly trained, without any commands; and the 

 master comprehends every action and idea of the dog. This 

 higher training borders on the realms of the psychological ; 

 yet that there is a time in the life of a properly trained dog 

 when he will intelligently and accurately work without any 

 supervision ; when he comprehends his master's will or pur- 

 pose by his actions or expression of manner ; when he is 

 happy only in his master's presence ; when his knowledge 

 comprehends every detail of the work, and when there is a 

 mutual esprit^ no expert, I believe, will dispute ; still it 

 must not be expected that the dog will reach all the higher 

 capabilities of his nature before he is matured mentally, and 

 has had skillful training and ample experience. 



