76 TRAINING THE HUNTING DOG 



derstands nothing more concerning it. On the other 

 hand, if he had not the natural impulse and inclina- 

 tion, no degree of punishment would teach him how 

 to chase a rabbit or even to chase it at all. From the 

 dog's point of view, there is no wrong in chasing 

 rabbit, chicken or sheep, etc. They are his natural 

 prey ; his delight in their pursuit is unbounded ; he is 

 following the natural impulses of his nature; it is 

 his manner of obtaining the necessities of dog life ; 

 yet, if punished, he yields to superior force and de- 

 sists. 



There is no part of a dog's education in which 

 punishment is of any benefit except as a corrective. 

 The dog's knowledge increases only from experi- 

 ence. The trainer cannot force his own knowledge 

 into the dog by virtue of whip or spike collar. Even 

 when forcing a dog to retrieve with the latter instru- 

 ment, its value is purely negative. It does not teach 

 the dog anything about retrieving, as will be more 

 fully explained in the chapter treating on that sub- 

 ject. 



When a dog's fears are aroused, or when he is 

 made needlessly to feel uncomfortable, worried and 

 uneasy, his progress as a pupil is slow, If the les- 



