CHOOSING A DOG. 449 



game. Better than all is the dog who works by the silent method, 

 obeying the movements of the hand. 



Not only see the dog in the field, and note the breaker's 

 method of working, but try your hand under his supervision. 

 Nothing is more detrimental than to attempt to work a dog whose 

 ways you do not know, and who likewise does not understand 

 yours ; the result is always disastrous ; you lose yourself, command 

 of the animal, and the animal his respect for you, and in sheer 

 self-defence he becomes sulky ; the crack of the whip with an 

 accompaniment of oaths does not mend the matter, but probably 

 irretrievably ruins the animal. 



Having satisfied yourself as to physical attributes, and obtained 

 your dog, do not at once turn him over to another to feed and care 

 for, but let this duty devolve upon yourself alone. When a dog 

 changes masters, he will attach himself to the first person who 

 treats him kindly ; consequently it is important that you be the 

 one to whom, the affections of the animal are transferred. Take 

 full charge of him then, and feed with your own hand, until he has 

 learned to know your person, your voice, and to look with pleasure 

 for your coming. As soon as safe, let him loose from the chain, 

 take him to walk, and attempt to gain his confidence by gentle 

 coercion and kindness, showing him meantime that you are his 

 master, and that he must obey. A few days' attention, with the 

 exercise of reasonable skill and patience, will accomplish all this, 

 when he may be taken to the field. 



Let it be remembered, that no dog can be so perfectly broken, 

 that when he goes into the hands of a stranger he will at once 

 work and obey him with the same readiness that he exhibited to- 

 wards his former breaker and master. Also take him out alotie, 

 as no dog will or can work well in a new place and among stran- 

 gers ; to demand such, would be to ask more of the animal than 

 could be expected of yourself. Working a dog alone for a single 

 day, or even half a day, will have the effect to start him aright, and 

 save trouble and vexation afterwards. You may have to use the 

 whip, but in such a case apply it judiciously, without anger, point- 

 ing out to the animal his fault. By no means lose your self-con- 

 trol, for the result will inevitably be disastrous both to the animal 

 and yourself. 



