THE WELL-MANNERED DOG 43 



damages lurking in the background. The dog that 

 has been carefully trained from his youth upwards 

 can at once be checked of any such tendency. 

 Animal lovers are apt to think that many people 

 are very foolish in their dread of a dog, but it would 

 be extremely selfish on our part to blind ourselves 

 to the fears and susceptibilities of others, and we 

 must always remember, that a large animal such 

 as the Great Dane, the St. Bernard, a Bloodhound, 

 or a Retriever, running about apparently unrestrained 

 is likely to cause genuine terror to nervous people. 

 It is a common thing to see a large dog out of 

 pure friendliness go up to a stranger in a demon- 

 strative fashion ; he means no harm, and we know 

 it, but the stranger has no such assurance in his 

 or her own mind, and may quite legitimately think 

 that some injury is contemplated. If the dog comes 

 to heel when he is told and remains there, he is 

 not likely to cause distress to any other person. 

 I remember once having a Bloodhound up from the 

 country who had been terribly spoilt by his late 

 mistress. He was a noble creature, but thoroughly 

 unruly, and for many months he could only be taken 

 out on a lead. As he pulled like a young shire 

 horse this was not pleasant for the kennelman, but 

 there was no help for it. He had evidently been 

 used to a carriage, and he would make a wild plunge 

 for any victoria that passed him, especially if its 

 inmate was a lady. He was also fond of running 

 in liouses and making his way upstairs unless his 

 passage was obstructed. Faults of this description 

 are not easily eradicated in the adult, but they should 

 never be allowed to become fixed. 



The dog should be taught from early puppyhood 



