260 GUN, KOD, AND SADDLE. 



of the gun ; secondly, if you keep constantly speaking 

 to your dogs, from hearing incessantly your voice 

 they become so used to it, that in emergencies they 

 will fail to give it that prompt attention so desir- 

 able. I always teach my setters and pointers 

 to retrieve both by land and water; with the 

 former breed this portion of their education I have 

 never had any difficulty to impart, with the latter 

 I have in one or two instances found a most de- 

 cided antipathy to the aquatic portion, yet I have 

 always succeeded in the end by following this plan. 

 When the weather is warm take the youngsters with 

 you bathing, with one or two more aged and previ- 

 ously instructed companions, wade some distance 

 out and then call them ; if you have gained their af- 

 fection they will ultimately come ; if you can do so 

 without alarming them caress them when in the wa- 

 ter, and give them a small piece of food. After get- 

 ting the puppies to wade till nearly out of their 

 depth, cross deeper water, and if they will not come 

 at first, hide yourself, occasionally calling them; 

 I never knew an instance in which they would 

 not ultimately come, more particularly when they 

 see the example of their more aged companions. A 

 few lessons of this sort will give them confidence, 



