142 THE AMERICAN HUNTING DOG 



again. Yesterday after the first shot he would 

 not hunt at all. 



Each time the old dog would stand and there 

 were indications of shooting, he would crouch 

 close to the ground and tremble, and could not 

 be induced to back old dog's point. 



He will not leave and is not afraid of the gun 

 only when you assume a position to fire. 



He has always been nervous and high strung. 

 I am at loss what to do, for without a gun he 

 handles birds like a veteran. 



If you could suggest anything which would cor- 

 rect this fault I would be a thousand times obliged. 



Haeold B. Davies. 



Ans. — From your letter it seems to me that your 

 dog is not naturally gun-shy, but has been forced 

 by his trainer to remain staunch during gun fire. 

 He is clearly afraid, and like some hounds that 

 I have owned is inclined not to hunt when there 

 is a gun around. I doubt if you can break him 

 this season of it. 



Keep him out with you — if necessary on force 

 collar and leader. I think you will have to put 

 a day in occasionally without shells in the gun 

 until he gets his confidence, using either just 

 primers alone or little loads which would not make 



