78 TRAINING THE HUNTING DOG 



CHAPTER V. 



THE BEST LESSONS OF PUPPYHOOD. 



As INTIMATED in preceding chapters, the most 

 useful education to the puppy is that in Nature's own 

 school. His best development, mentally, physically, 

 and educationally, comes from his own powers of ob- 

 servation and practice. 



The training which in domestication he receives 

 from association with his master, and from the more 

 special schooling in working to the gun, is but a mere 

 incident. 



Considering his education as a whole, as the puppy 

 develops, the trainer can do much to strengthen the 

 ties of friendly association and to evoke therewith 

 enthusiastic effort. If he gives the puppy a run in 

 the fields every day or two, feeds him regularly, and 

 joins him more or less in his plays, he becomes to the 

 latter an object of distinguished consideration. The 

 puppy thereby is gradually dominated and accepts 

 his master as the one who is in authority. His conse- 



