10 THE AMERICAN FOXHOUND 



months old pnps into a hard red fox, wolf or deer race, for if he 

 is forced to quit once, the next time will come easier with him 

 and he will not think it so bad to quit. Try to teach him that 

 he must stay in every race to the finish. 



Before you can expect to be able to train dogs you must know 

 when your dog is in proper condition, and what should be re- 

 quired of him when in that condition. Until you know this you 

 cannot expect to properly train your dogs. 



The following is taken from an article written by Mr. F. W. 

 Samuels, of Indianapolis, Ind., and published under the caption 

 of "Hounds, Rabbits and Foxes," in the Sportsmen's Review, 

 March, 1905: 



"Several writers have stated that they do not allow their 

 young dogs to mn rabbits, that it ruins them for fox dogs. My 

 experience has been the reverse. A hound puppy, until he is a 

 year old, should be given his freedom, to grow and develop. 

 Chasing rabbits teaches him to search and scout, and after 

 making a start to stick to the trail. If you notice that a young 

 dog is easily discouraged on a rabbit track, does not of his own 

 accord go out and hunt, and after striking and losing gives up 

 quickly, knock him in the head; he will disappoint you later on, 

 I do not believe it policy to encourage a young dog to run 

 rabbits; let him do it for the love of the thing. In fact, pay no 

 attention to him, let him get himself in condition for a grander 

 race, and then when he is turned in with a pack of older dogs 

 after a fox, look out, for he will most likely lead the pack on 

 straightaway runs, and his experience with bunny on the loses, 

 will develop on a larger scale with Reynard. 



After two or three fox races you will have no trouble to break 

 him from running rabbits. A harsh word will stop him; if it 

 don't, a good stiff club will. 



A young dog should run an hour, or two hours at the longest, 

 at the start. He should be stopped, if possible, with plenty of 

 endurance up his sleeve. Many very promising, courageous 

 young dogs are ruined by being run to death the first two or 

 three races, and if they have the courage to go will break them- 

 selves down in their efforts to keep up with strong and seasoned 

 dogs." 



