BREAKING AND HANDLING. 209 



no part of dog training, and will not be described. Even 

 when used, many dogs cannot road if forced to carry a 

 high head, and they suffer many cruel falls from it. When 

 the peg is removed, the dog immediately assumes his old 

 style and habits, and as such are natural to him, they are 

 the best which he has. 



In giving the puppy the necessary experience in reading, 

 it is better to work him alone if he is in training for regu- 

 lar shooting, in this respect not differing in principle from 

 that of training in the other main branches. If two pup- 

 pies are worked together, there is always a keen jealousy in 

 roading, which is sure to cause a riotous flush or chase, or 

 both. Even aged, experienced dogs are not reliable always 

 under such circumstances, if in company with strange dogs. 

 However, after the training reaches a stage at which the 

 puppy is fairly reliable, he may be greatly benefited by ex- 

 perience with an honest, obedient clog. If he has had per- 

 fect liberty in chasing and hunting, as recommended in 

 the preparatory field work, he in most instances has learned 

 how to road quickly and accurately; he only needs training 

 with a view to making him steady to his points, it being self- 

 evident that the roading cannot be done too quickly if the 

 dog can locate his birds and point correctly. On the other 

 hand, if he has been constantly suppressed and completely 

 subjugated, and therefore is without any knowledge of 

 methods or possession of self-reliance, he learns but slowly 

 and imperfectly, his handler holding all his attention and 

 thus being a discouragement instead of an assistance. 



