FOR THE FIELD AND FIELD TRIALS. 135 



easily kept under .control when on point, so far as 

 breaking in is under consideration. 



The spike collar should be used with careful mod- 

 eration. The average amateur does more harm in 

 the use of it than he does good, although the same 

 may be asserted equally of the whip or any other in- 

 strument of punishment. At all events, the use of it 

 should be eschewed in all but the most obstinate, self- 

 willed cases, and in those cases if the trainer loses his 

 temper when using it. A great deal of care is some- 

 times necessary to avoid such faults as blinking, 

 trainer shyness, etc., when schooling the dog to 

 stanchness on point. 



In these early experiences the gun may be obstruc- 

 tive to the pupil's advancement. It may with ad- 

 vantage be kept in abeyance during the first lessons. 

 It is not essential in teaching the pupil a proper de- 

 gree of stanchness. He quickly learns its use, and 

 when it is fired he has such an uncontrollable eager- 

 ness to secure possession of the bird that for a time he 

 is lawless. On the other hand the average amateur 

 is himself so over-eager to kill birds that the training 

 of the dog is a remote matter when the opportunity 

 to kill is presented, so that what should as much as 



