l6o MODERN TRAINING. 



CHAPTER IX. 



PREPARATORY FIELD TRAINING. 



The first informal field work of a puppy may be given 

 when he is sufficiently developed, mentally and physically, 

 to have unlimited curiosity, and strength enough to run 

 without excessive labor and fatigue, which is generally at 

 about the age of eight months and upward; at least, it is 

 not specially advantageous to attempt any training at an 

 earlier age. 



Contrary to the common practice and the teachings of 

 many writers, no training, in the sense in which it is com- 

 monly understood, /. e., to the gun, should be attempted in 

 the preparatory training. This training, given during a 

 longer or shorter period, according to the requirements of 

 the dog, is simply an opportunity to learn to use his hunt- 

 ing functions, and is very important, it being the foundation 

 on which the training to the gun rests, as is specially de- 

 scribed under the several heads of Pointing, Reading, and 

 Ranging. 



It will be assumed that the training is to be conducted 

 on quails, they being the birds which are most commonly 

 sought for the purpose, as they are the best, most numer- 

 ous, and widely distributed. However, if the dog is to be 

 trained on other kinds' of game, the course to pursue would 

 be the same in manner, but with ruffed grouse or woodcock 

 more restraint would be necessary in training at all stages. 



Before methods can be applied in regular training, the dogs 



