BREAKING AND HANDLING. 167 



with respect to good work if the dog is not afforded ample 

 experience. 



For training purposes, grounds should be selected which 

 are at least fairly well supplied with birds. If a puppy is 

 worked day after day with only a find now and then, he 

 ceases to hunt, or runs about carelessly as he would in a 

 highway; indeed, an aged, experienced dog will become 

 careless and indifferent under similar circumstances; and a 

 hunter takes but little interest. 



If the puppy is soft in flesh and thick in wind, it is very 

 unwise to work him in a hot sun. If he is of a nervous, 

 excitable disposition, he may become excessively overheated 

 which may induce distressing fits, or in fact, he may die. 

 The trainer should shape his route so that there will be op- 

 portunities to give his dogs water. In many sections of the 

 West and the South, the streams dry up in the summer and 

 fall, and the scarcity of water then becomes a great in- 

 convenience. At such times it is well to carry a quart flask 

 of water along, which will afford two small drinks for two 

 dogs; and it can be re-filled at some point on the route. If 

 hunting from horseback, it is then an easy matter to carry 

 a sufficient quantity. If the trainer has not a drinking vessel 

 along, the crown of the hat, if of felt, canvas, or corduroy, 

 pressed down, will hold water sufficiently long for the dogs 

 tO' drink it. 



While all dogs have an affection for their master, work- 

 ing, when properly trained, to suit his pleasure, they vary 

 greatly in their mental and physical powers, and therefore 

 in their capability and usefulness. Occasionally one will 

 be met with which can hunt well for his own interest, but 

 cannot readily be taught to work to the gun; however, in 

 hunting for birds, the dog is merely seeking his natural 

 food supply, and until he has had the necessary experience 

 to learn to work conjointly with his handler's efforts, he can- 



