326 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. 



meal ever finds its way to the stomach of the unfortunate animal 

 for whose benefit it was ostensibly bought. This would not suit 

 the trainer's purpose, whoso object is to return him 'broken' in 

 the shortest possible time (and broken he certainly is, with a 

 vengeance). This can only be accomplished by fasting and flagel- 

 lation, and accordingly both are put liberally in requisition ; the 

 former by leaving the dog entirely to his own resources, when the 

 chances are, he takes to killing his own mutton ; and the latter, 

 by the unsparing use of the whip, or the butt end of the gun, 

 according as his master is drunk or out of temper. The conse- 

 quences may easily be anticipated. Should he survive this treat- 

 ment, he is returned at the end of three months, thoroughly 

 cowed and heart-broken, and in such a state of starvation that 

 his owner will have some difiiculty in recognising his favourite. 

 Should he succeed in getting once more into condition, it will be 

 found that he has forgotten all he ever learned under the former 

 system, and will require to be trained over again. 



" I would therefore recommend the sportsman, if he can spare 

 time, by all means to break his own dogs. If he succeeds, and 

 a little patience and temper are all that is required to make 

 success certain, he will be amply rej^aid, for a dog works far 

 better for the man who trains him than for any one else. A sort 

 of mutual understanding springs up between them ; the dog gets 

 into his master's ways, and a look or a gesture is sufficient to 

 make him comprehend his meaning. Better this, surcl}^ than 

 the constant rating and flagellations which make it positively 



