BREAKING AND HANDLING. 221 



drawing, they back rigidly, and it is difficult to move them. 

 After such dogs become fatigued, they devote their entire 

 attention to the finding dog and back from a combined de- 

 sire to see the dog point and stand still to rest. A dog 

 which backs prematurely in this manner causes a great deal 

 of annoyance or lowers the standard of the work when 

 hunting with a dog which backs honestly and accurately. 

 If the latter roads or shows the slightest indication of find- 

 ing, he- is instantly backed; then he catches sight of the 

 backing dog, infers that it is a point, then backs in turn 

 thus they stand backing each other. After being sent on, 

 the act may be repeated again and again with more or less 

 frequency, much to the disgust of the hunter and prejudice 

 to the sport. After awhile, the more sensible dog learns 

 that there is no accuracy in his companion's work, thereupon 

 he probably refuses to back him at all times. If he is of an 

 impatient disposition, such experience may make him dis- 

 trustful in his work with other dogs. Two experienced 

 dogs, which work correctly, rarely back each other. Point- 

 ers are more predisposed to this fault than setters. 



If a trained dog should at any time become' unsteady on 

 his backs, he should be whipped in precisely the same man- 

 ner as for any other willfully faulty performance. However, 

 if the slightest unsteadiness is corrected at its beginning, 

 there will be comparatively little trouble. By neglecting 

 little faults, the greater ones ensue, and the training is then 

 irregular and less skillful. 



