CHARGE! 19 



You should be pretty well acquainted with his disposition 

 by this time, and be able 1o form an opinion as to whether it 

 will pay to keep him or try again. We are very loth to ex- 

 pend much time with a dull or stupid one, and a sour or 

 sulky disposition we abominate, and dispose of such as soon 

 as may be. We are best suited when a pup is full of life 

 and shows that he has a will of his own, We care not if he 

 be headstrong, even willful, so that he is full of life and ac- 

 tion, for we have ever found that these high-strung animals 

 are not only possessed of greater intelligence than their lesi 

 sensitive companions, but as a rule they are na^re killing 

 dogs, to say nothing of the greater pleasure that they afford 

 bj r their superior style of going. Should his temperament 

 appear to be what you desire, thankfully proceed with your 

 pleasurable task. 



You must be careful when you commence his lesson that 

 you do not cross him by beginning when he has something 

 of importance upon his mind that will distract his attention 

 from the business on hand ; if he is busy with a bone, or 

 engaged at play or his mind appears to be preoccupied, leave 

 him quietly alone until he is disengaged, and then go on with 

 the lesson ; by pursuing this course you will secure his un- 

 divided attention, and not only save time, but much wear 

 and tear of your stock of patience, it will be time enough 

 to teach him that he must leave his bone or cease his play at 

 your command when he is a little older and a little further 

 advanced in his education ; at the same time should you un- 

 thinkingly order him to do anything while he is engaged, 

 you must see to it that the order is obeyed at all hazirds, for 

 it will never do to play fast-and-loose with him, nor to allow 

 him to get the idea into his head that he can ever have his 

 own way, when you desire the contrary. After you have 

 taught him to charge readily without the aii of your hand to 

 force him down, you can gradually increase your distance 

 from him when you give the order ; and if you are very 

 careful to make him instantly obey you, and do not allow him 

 to take even a single step after the command is given, he 

 will soon obey the order as far as he can hear your voice. 



