86 TRAINING THE HUNTING DOG 



lessons which are devoid of all amusement. If they 

 are gently and amusingly given success is more pro- 

 gressive. After a time mental strength and stamina 

 will develop, and then longer lessons may be given 

 without distressing him. 



Later in the training the powers of his mind be- 

 come so much more vigorous that the most difficult 

 of the training lessons are learned with greater ease 

 than were the far more simple beginnings. 



To concentrate his mind on what is being taught 

 him in the first lessons is exceedingly difficult and 

 fatiguing to him ; therefore the teacher would better 

 set a short limit to the lessons, say fifteen or twenty 

 minutes. He also should avoid the habit of con- 

 stantly bossing and nagging the pupil between les- 

 sons. If he is bossed and bullied incessantly, he, after 

 a time, loses all power of independent initiative, and 

 is so dominated by his tutor that he is a mere un- 

 thinking machine. 



These suggestions as to over discipline are quite 

 as applicable when the dog is receiving his experience 

 on game as they are when he is receiving his yard 

 breaking. His subjugation to the entire domina- 

 tion of his trainer is undesirable at any time. Yet 



