104 MODERN TRAINING. 



time holds his dog's confidence and affection, he will 

 have no difficulty in teaching their application in the field; 

 on the other hand, if his dog is afrai'd of him or has learned 

 to dislike him, he will have endless trouble and inferior 

 results. 



In giving a yard lesson it should be done seriously and 

 kindly. Any attempt of the dog to divert the lesson into 

 a frolic at any period should be promptly but gently 

 checked. The demeanor should be such that the dog will 

 neither be encouraged to play nor anticipate violence. If 

 the trainer is emotional and demonstrative the dog will learn 

 to anticipate his intentions, not always to the benefit of the 

 training. After a lesson is finished, the puppy may be 

 encouraged to play, particularly if at all downcast ; but if he 

 exhibits no unpleasant memories he may be left to his own 

 will. To play with a puppy does not injure his training in 

 the least, if not permitted during the lessons. It is an 

 objectionable practice, however, to permit children to play 

 with him. In playing he learns to carry sticks, old shoes, 

 etc., and is apt to develop a hard mouth, besides learning 

 undesirable cunning tricks, such as running away, hiding, 

 etc., which by no means add to the pleasures of training. 



Amateurs always attempt to accomplish too much in one 

 lesson. Usually they expect that a half dozen lessons ought 

 to accomplish almost any educational purpose, whereas, 

 with some dogs, that number of lessons will not make a 

 perceptible beginning. 



It often happens that a dog is willing to obey but is una- 

 ble to comprehend what is required, from the absence of all 

 method on the part of the trainer. Mixed or various orders 

 for the same act, or attempting to teach two or three differ- 

 ent things at the same time, or abruptly changing from one 

 thing to another before any one is half taught, will make 

 progress slow and unsatisfactory ; such course is confusing 



