BREAKING AND HANDLING. 241 



As the dog becomes accustomed to the noise and shows less 

 apathy, he may be petted and given a piece of meat betimes 

 to excite his interest. Later, taking him into the fields on 

 a light checkcord will be a gain. By taking advantage of 

 little circumstances he will gradually become accustomed to 

 hear the report with indifference. If a small bird is shot in 

 a favorable position for him to see it fall, it may destroy his 

 fears, and the keenest interest may supersede them, thus 

 effecting a cure. As mentioned in the directions for accus- 

 toming a dog to the gun, a pistol is the better arm to begin 

 with. 



A dog which does not become apathetic from fright is in 

 most instances easily cured. Tie him in a yard as in the 

 preceding instance. If he struggles at a report of the gun 

 or pistol, put a spike collar on him to prevent his doing so. 

 After a few lessons his fright will become less and less, 

 when he may be petted and given pieces of meat or other 

 palatable morsels. The lessons may be given in different 

 places at different times. When given the lessons repeat- 

 edly in a certain place at a certain hour, he is frightened 

 before a gun is fired at all, when taken to the place having 

 the unpleasant associations. Constant deliberation, kind- 

 ness and calmness are indispensable to the best success. 



Discharging a pistol at mealtime has some benefit with 

 certain dogs. If one of this kind refuses to come out of 

 his kennel, do not disturb him; take the food away and do 

 not give him any until the next regular feeding time. Con- 

 tinue this treatment until he will come to his meals, which 

 he is almost certain to do after missing two or three. At 

 first it is better not to disturb him by any more shooting, 

 then he will soon learn that the shot is a signal for his meals. 

 All amateurs hurry too much in this method. They shoot 

 during the meal and between meals, promiscuously, thus 

 keeping the dog in a state of constant fearfulness. The 



