GREYHOUND AND DEERHOUND. 243 



as they cannot be brouglit on to the ground loose, and if not 

 previously accustomed to it, they knock about and tear themselves 

 dreadfully, and moreover will not go quietly in slips. As soon 

 therefore as the ground is soft, after they are six or eight months 

 old, they should have a neck- strap put on, and should be led 

 about for a short time dail}', till they follow quietly. Some 

 puppies are very violent, and will fight against the strap for a 

 long time, but by a little tact they soon give in, and follow 

 their leader without resistance. The coursing-field is the best 

 school for this purpose, as the puppies have something to engage 

 their attention, and until they will bear their straps without pull- 

 ing against them their education in this respect is not complete. 

 A dog pulling in slij)s will do himself so much harm as often 

 to cause the loss of a course, and therefore every j)recaution should 

 be taken to avoid this fault. The leader should never pull against 

 the puppy steadily, but the moment he finds him beginning to 

 hang forward, give him a severe check with the strap, and repeat 

 it as often as necessary. It is a very common defect, but never 

 ought to occur with proper management ; though when once 

 established it is very difiicult to get rid of. Two or three days' 

 leading on the coursing-field will serve to make any puppies 

 handy to lead if properly managed, and they may then be put in 

 slips with perfect safety. 



The condition of the puppy at the time of entering is too often 

 neglected, but it should be known that a fat over-fed puppy 

 without previous exercise may be seriously injured even by a 



short course, which, moreover, can never be assured under any 



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