134 TRAINING THE HUNTING DOG 



throughout the surrounding country, generally in the 

 company of some other dog or dogs of like proclivi- 

 ties. Confinement is the only preventive of such 

 acts. However, this self-hunting proclivity may not 

 in the least affect his zeal in working to the gun when 

 opportunity offers. 



The trainer should endeavor to afford ample op- 

 portunities to the pupil, and to this end an old, level- 

 headed dog is a great assistant both as to finding the 

 birds and as to example. 



When the dog makes his points, the trainer seeks 

 to prolong them as much as possible. He walks 

 calmly up to the dog's side, strokes him gently along 

 the back, and gently restrains him from breaking in. 

 This is repeated time after time, gentleness and ap- 

 proval being exhibited when he does right and dis- 

 creet disapproval when he does wrong. 



If he is particularly obstinate or self-willed, a 

 check cord, or a spike collar and check cord, may be 

 used to advantage. The cord should have a light 

 iron snap, such as is used on parts of harness, at- 

 tached to one end of it. This enables the trainer to 

 quickly snap it in the ring of the dog's collar without 

 fuss or delay. With the check cord the dog can be 



