152 . TRAINING THE HUNTING DOG 



ner, the trainer endeavors to impress on him the 

 gravity and importance of the event. After he ob- 

 serves that birds are to the point, he will acquire an 

 enthusiastic interest in it on his own account. 



Commonly the puppy's first efforts will be spirited 

 attempts to flush. They are the natural acts of igno- 

 rant puppies. After a few or many lessons, when 

 the pointing dog engages the interest of the puppy, 

 and the latter is well in hand, the trainer walks for- 

 ward to flush. If the puppy attempts to follow, he is 

 taken back to the spot whence he started and cau- 

 tioned. The trainer acts slowly, gravely, patiently 

 and quietly if he acts aright. The portentous man- 

 ner will not fail to impress the puppy as he notes it 

 in conjunction with the point. 



Dogs are exceedingly imitative. This the trainer 

 may readily observe by assuming a crouchy, stealthy 

 manner in an open field, as if he were stalking some 

 prey. The dog will likely imitate his actions. How- 

 ever, it is not wise in this manner to deceive a dog, 

 as it tends to impair his confidence in the deceiver. 



Whenever the puppy attempts to press forward 

 when on back he must be cautioned or be taken to 

 the place whence he started. This impresses on him 



