48 THE FOXHOUND 



he should be uncoupled, at first only when on 

 the way home. At the first indication of lev- 

 ity on his part recouple him promptly, giving 

 him to understand the why and wherefore. 



Never allow hounds to visit farmyards un- 

 punished. Disabuse their minds of the idea 

 that they must make the acquaintance of every 

 cur of high or low degree they meet on the 

 road. The first lessons in actual hunting 

 should commence when six to ten months of 

 age, according to physical development. If at 

 this stage a careful study of the nature and 

 eccentricities shows faults too pronounced and 

 not easily corrected, it is far better to dispose 

 of the hound than to waste time on him with 

 the liability of others contracting the same 

 faults. 



It is a very common as well as pernicious 

 custom of the tyro to allow hound puppies to 

 hunt or run rabbits. This is a serious mistake. 

 Why allow them to acquire a habit that will 

 take weeks and months to break them of later? 

 It is only fair to say that ninety per cent, of 

 the hounds that are first entered to rabbit can 

 never be made absolutely rabbit proof. The 

 best plan is to enter them to fox cubs. If a 

 den is not conveniently near and old foxes are 

 scarce, a captive fox taught to lead may be 



