30 TRAINING vs. BREAKING. 



cases even less will be found enough, and occasionally we 

 may have a pupil whose natural ap;itude for this may be in- 

 dulged from the first and a s ili wider range allowed him ; 

 but in either case the range shou'd be circumscribed until he 

 appears to understand what is required, and to readily and 

 cheerfully obey your signals and the different motions of 

 your hand. This very important accomplishment cannot be 

 taught in a week or a month, indeed you will do very well if 

 you succeed in obtaining fair work out of him in a year ; not 

 but long before this time he will beat his ground in a manner 

 that will cause even old sportsmen to pronounce him a prod- 

 igy, but as we are striving for perfection, we will not be 

 satisfied with a mediocre performance, but continue persever- 

 ingly to practice our pupil until he will not only regularly 

 quarter his ground in front of us and instantly obey each 

 signal, but will wheel of his own accord when he reaches a 

 a proper distance or comes to fence, hedge, or stream that he 

 should not cross. This knowledge that he must not cross a 

 fence or hedge without orders is of great importance and 

 easily imparted by working him along a fence after he has 

 learned to beat his ground and turn at the signal. He will, 

 after a few lessons, understand what you desire and readily 

 keep within bounds. Should he at any time transgress and 

 go through or over the fence, care must be taken that he re- 

 turns at once, and at the precise spot where he went through. 

 This is of great importance, for if he is allowed t:> return at 

 any other point the chances are that he will fail to realize that 

 he has done wrong ; but if you insist on his returning at the 

 exact place, he will at once understand that something is 

 wrong and will be more careful in the future. 



While our pup is yet young he should become accustomed 

 to the water ; most young dogs will take to it readily ; but 

 should he appear to have any fear of it he must be handled 

 with care and gradually made acquainted with it in such a 

 manner as shall not frighten him. When he has acquired 

 some little knowledge and you begin to take him out for a 

 walk with, you, you should visit with him some small stream 

 or shallow pond and sit down on the bank and give him time 



