166 THE DOG IN HEALTH. 



at the upraising of the hand. This applies to all breeds, 

 though more especially to dogs used in shooting. A dog 

 in the field should also be guided by the motions of his 

 trainer's hand. In learning this, the voice, the whistle, 

 and often a long cord will be useful. 



But the author wishes to avoid giving the impression 

 that there is only one way of accomplishing these things, 

 as many previous writers seem to have thought, with the 

 result that many who have attempted to follow their rigid 

 rules have disgusted themselves and spoiled their dogs. 



It is to be remembered that all lessons require frequent 

 repetition. " Little and often " applies to training as a 

 cardinal principle. 



Ko one should undertake the training of a dog to work 

 on game who is not possessed of patience and good temper. 

 Lacking these, the puppy is apt to cause the trainer great 

 worry and to get little good from him, if he be not actually 

 spoiled. It is, in fact, better to go afield expecting that 

 the puppy will do nothing as desired at first ; then one is 

 prepared for the worst, and may soon lay his plans to ac- 

 complish what he aims at, which must always be done in 

 relation both to the dog and the circumstances. 



But with dogs example is strong for good or evil. A 

 steady, old, trained dog is invaluable, while a disobedient, 

 headstrong one will most assuredly ruin the puppy. But 

 it is clearly foolish to expect a puppy under a certain age 

 to work on game with an older dog — indeed, to work on 

 game at all — though ranging, obeying the whistle, dropping, 

 etc., should all be taught before the puppy is introduced 

 to game. He must learn restraint and obedience, though 

 it must be confessed that a day's work on actual game 



