FOR THE FIELD AND FIELD TRIALS. / 



many good dogs are annually spoiled, or their best 

 efforts marred, by rigidly restricting them to lines of 

 action in their yard training which are mistakenly 

 deemed to be the correct thing when they are actu- 

 ally working to the gun. 



While the trainer may have in mind the nice man- 

 ner in which the theoretical training will fit into the 

 practical work, the dog is entirely ignorant that it is 

 training, or, indeed, that it has any reference to any- 

 thing at all useful. He recognizes that he is cramped 

 and confined in his efforts, and, if so mentally en- 

 slaved till it becomes a habit, he exhibits slavish 

 deference at all times. 



Without the ability or inclination to hunt game, 

 the dog is worthless for field purposes. Some dogs, 

 if checked too much, perceive nothing which appeals 

 to their self-interest, and consequently they lose all 

 inclination to search for birds. If the dog refuses 

 to hunt it is beyond the power of any one to force 

 him to do so. 



This is a point which the trainer should ever bear 

 in mind that is to say, it is the dog's self-interest 

 which impels him to seek game. If this self-interest 

 is not preserved all incentive to effort on the dog's 



