2O TRAINING THE HUNTING DOG 



manner similar to the relation between dog and din- 

 ner. The whistle, loud commands and praise, he 

 then alike ignores. This self-interest, displayed by 

 the dog, is an important factor in his training. There 

 must always be sufficient incentive of a selfish nature 

 to induce his best effort. His trainer may have some 

 of the same property. 



There are writers who solemnly affirm that the in- 

 stinct to hunt is by Nature implanted in the dog for 

 the benefit of man, or at least for such relatively 

 small number of men as can sally forth afield to kill 

 birds. The nature and acts of the dog oppose this 

 egotistical opinion on every point. The dog never 

 enjoys himself better than when on a self -hunting 

 outing ; the proceeds of his efforts he needs for food 

 and so uses when he is permitted to do so. When 

 on his predatory excursions he rather avoids than 

 seeks the company of man. Moreover, if the instinct 

 were implanted in the dog for man's benefit, no train- 

 ing would then be necessary. The dog's natural ef- 

 forts are for his own advantage. In a domesticated 

 state he seeks his prey in a manner similar to that in 

 which he seeks it in his predatory excursions when 

 wild. It is his method of obtaining a food supply, 



