2l8 MODERN TRAINING. 



puppy to an advantageous position to see the point; a few 

 opportunities should be given. him to learn the meaning of 

 it. The first acts of the puppy are generally devoted to 

 attempts to steal the point. These should be checked as 

 much as possible without injuring his ardor. When he at- 

 tempts it persistently, he may be dropped to command on 

 signal; if he will not obey them with a fair degree of cer- 

 tainty, he is not properly prepared. If he is inattentive 

 from his own experience, a mild process of compulsory 

 training may be begun. Put a light checkcord on him. 

 Expert trainers seldom use a checkcord in this branch, it 

 generally being superfluous. When the dog points, the 

 puppy should be kept to the rear, and the manner of the 

 handler should be extravagantly cautious and deliberate, 

 while walking forward slowly to flush. The puppy is eagerly 

 observant of the extraordinary care and caution, and at 

 the same time is greatly impressed by it; indeed, he may 

 unconsciously imitate the cautious movements of his hand- 

 ler. When the birds are flushed and a kill follows, the 

 puppy has observed what the point, caution and accessory 

 details resulted in, and the next time, or few times there- 

 after, may stop to watch it of his own volition, which is a 

 back, or the inception of one. If, when the handler walks 

 forward to flush, the puppy leaves his place either with the 

 intention of following his handler or stealing the point, the 

 handler should return and place him in the exact spot which 

 he left. If he will stand with any steadiness, looking curi- 

 ously on at the proceedings, do not disturb him, for such is 

 a very good incipient back. By repeating these lessons 

 with a grave demeanor and great caution, the puppy by imi- 

 tation and observation will assume similarly precautionary 

 measures. It has been noted hereinbefore that the puppy 

 is very imitative. This maybe observed if the shooter while 

 walking assumes an air of great caution and expectation in 



