FOR THE FIELD AND FIELD TRIALS. 73 



A dog over-trained is of much less value as a 

 worker than one that is but partially trained but 

 whose natural capabilities are unimpaired. In this 

 connection, it may be usefully remarked that prac- 

 tically the properly trained dog works without any 

 orders at all. Man and dog seek with concerted ac- 

 tion to supplement each other's efforts, working to- 

 gether for mutual success as a team. The dog, al- 

 lowed to work in his own manner, but restricted more 

 and more to apply his work in the service of the gun 

 as his training progresses, in time learns that great 

 success results from the joint efforts of his master 

 and himself; and he then performs his part with an 

 intelligence and a practical manipulation of means to 

 ends far beyond any knowledge which could be 

 conveyed to him by his teacher. 



A knowledge of the evils of over-training is es- 

 sential in the development and training of field dogs, 

 but it is still more essential in respect to field trial 

 dogs. However satisfactory to his owner an over- 

 trained dog may be in field work, he will not be con- 

 sidered as even making a good showing when in 

 competition with properly trained dogs which are 

 performing under the critical eye of the judge. But 



