BREAKING AND HANDLING. 



331 



in hot weather. Some sportsmen use crates with a false 

 bottom under which are placed spiral springs, which add 

 greatly to the dog's comfort. 



There are some faults occasionally exhibited by the dog 

 which do not properly come under the head of training, 

 but which need correcting when they appear, namely, killing 

 chickens and sheep. If the dog kills chickens, make an 

 effort to catch him in the act. Put a spike collar on him 

 and tie the rope around your waist, this merely to hold 

 him. Both hands are then free. Take the chicken in one 

 hand and the whip in the other, hit him lightly over the 

 head with the chicken, and at the same time give a severe 

 cut with the whip. Whip and scold alternately. Graduate 

 the punishment according to the needs of the dog, which is 

 determined by his disposition, number of offences, etc. 

 The principle is identical with that of breaking a dog from 

 chasing rabbits, etc., namely, he blinks them. 



For chasing sheep, the dog must be soundly thrashed if 

 caught in the act. Then put a line on him and lead him 

 toward the sheep; if he shows the slightest disposition to 

 chase, repeat the whipping; continue the treatment till he 

 will shrink at sight of them. While giving the whipping, 

 repeat at intervals the exclamation Hi! or such exclamation 

 as is preferred, to make the dog desist. He will soon learn 

 to heed it. If a dog acquires a habit of sheep-killing 

 through hunting with sheep-killing curs, he becomes cunning 

 and usually selects the night hours for his depredations. 

 When his master is present he may not notice them. Bad 

 management of the owner is responsible for such vicious- 

 ness. If the dog cannot be caught in the act, there is no 

 certain way of breaking him of it. Hutchinson, I think, 

 recommends tying one end of a stiff stick to the dog's col- 

 lar the other end to the horns of a strong ram, the severe 

 jerking and consequent terror caused by the efforts of the 



