122 MODERN TRAINING. 



subject for his first attempts, he should not be discouraged, 

 for persistency and skill will subjugate the most difficult 

 ones. After one has been taught, subsequent attempts will 

 be easier. Intelligent dogs usually learn quickly, but the 

 first attempt, whether difficult or otherwise, should not be 

 considered a standard for all. It requires an extensive ex- 

 perience to thoroughly understand dogs in general. Still, 

 the amateur by carefully studying the disposition of the dog 

 which he is training and avoiding that pernicious failing of 

 all amateurs, namely, hurry, can apply his efforts with suc- 

 cess if he has any talent for training. The professional 

 trainer knows precisely what course to pursue with a dog of 

 any disposition; the inexperienced amateur must make his 

 advances by carefully noting effects. There is no part of 

 training in which a calm exterior is more necessary than in 

 teaching retrieving; and if the trainer cannot proceed with 

 deliberation and consideration, he is misdirecting his efforts, 

 and only very imperfect success can be attained. A dog 

 soon learns to interpret any inauspicious expressions of 

 countenance, and if he is at liberty he will bolt; if not at 

 liberty, he is in such a state of perturbation through antici- 

 pation that his mind is entirely diverted from his lesson. 

 It is noticeable that the amateurs who bring their dogs to 

 a certain rough degree of training are always of the noisy, 

 bellowing order, and if the dogs so trained could tell of 

 their training, they would relate the history of a miserable 

 life. 



The retrieving of pointers and setters, if they are good 

 finding dogs, should be confined strictly to upland work. 

 Duck retrieving, if it is made partially or wholly the dog's 

 regular work, never fails to induce rheumatism, deafness, 

 stiff joints, or a broken constitution and premature old age. 

 Many setters and pointers will retrieve ducks excellently well, 

 but in cold weather they perform from pure courage and 



