THE GREYHOUND. 155 



force beyond his capacity or to overwork a young dog, as 

 the aim will be attained at a sacrifice of durability, with 

 diminished strength of constitution. During the last week, 

 the distance can be cut down gradually to a couple of miles 

 daily, until the day before the event, a simple gallop across 

 the turf should find him in a high state of efficiency as to 

 wind and pow r er to sustain fatigue. 



During this training, if the dog has never before been 

 slipped upon jack-rabbits, he should have from two to three 

 courses a week on these, being slipped with a single good 

 worker, willing and capable of doing his share. If you 

 want a true and honest worker, do not work him on too 

 many jacks, and never in a crowd of dogs, as he will soon 

 learn to run cunning, thereby ruining his chance as a stake- 

 winner; for the habit once acquired is seldom overcome. 



Never blanket your dog during training, if it can be 

 avoided; but have blankets at hand, in case of cold or wet 

 weather during the meeting. Working a dog under blank- 

 ets to reduce flesh is more injurious than beneficial. The 

 better plan is to increase his work, and change the quality, 

 not the quantity, of his food. The day of the running, the 

 dog should be kept muzzled. Two or three hours before 

 going to the slips, feed one-quarter pound of raw meat, 

 chopped fine, with an egg broken over it. Feed nothing 

 more till night. See that the dog has an opportunity to 

 relieve his bowels. 



While in the slips, stay close to him, and watch carefully 

 for any signs of his having picked up a sand-bur, prickly- 

 pear, or cactus; and in case he does so, it should be 

 promptly removed. If he shows any indication of a desire 

 to relieve himself, see that the slipper indulges him. This 

 is important. 



Encourage him with your presence, and do all you legiti- 

 mately can to see that he is sighted promptly. Spare no 

 pains or expense in getting a good mount, and keep as close 

 as possible to him during the course. After the kill, take 

 him up at once, sponge out his mouth, give him a few swal- 

 lows of water from a bottle, and rub gently, yet firmly, 



