BREAKING AND HANDLING. 265 



from working at all for several days; or the dog, from 

 distress, prostration or discomfort, may absolutely refuse to 

 work when excessively fat, although he might be an ener- 

 getic worker when in proper condition. If a sportsman 

 goes shooting without paying any attention to the condition 

 of his dogs, he deliberately impairs or destroys the success 

 of the trip. The average outing of a business man is not 

 sufficiently long to permit him to condition his dogs prop- 

 erly. He should begin at least a month previous to his out- 

 ing to give the dog a run night and morning when the 

 temperature is coolest, gradually increasing the length of 

 the run as the dog can stand it. If the dog is much blown 

 at first, permit him to run but a few moments at a time, let- 

 ting him run for exercise and walk at heel alternately in 

 this manner he can run longer than if run directly to a stand- 

 still. Much the better way is to keep the dog in at least 

 fairly good condition during the open season, then there 

 will be comparatively little trouble in getting him in work- 

 ing condition. Dogs which are started at work without 

 preliminary conditioning afford the flattest and poorest 

 sport, even if in a good game country. 



In connection with handling, it is proper to mention that 

 an owner, who has his dog trained by a breaker, should 

 consider that it requires a longer or shorter time for the 

 dog to become acquainted with his peculiarities: his methods 

 of handling; tone of voice; manner of blowing whistle; 

 hand signals, etc., differing from those of the trainer. 



