162 TRAINING THE HUNTING DOG 



of dust visible to the eye in this case correspond to 

 the particles of body scent which the dog follows by 

 the sense of smell, and the tracks are analogous in a 

 way to the trail left by the birds. 



The best of dogs will occasionally make mistakes, 

 and this may be truthfully said of the best of men 

 also. Mistakes made when the dog is endeavoring 

 to do his best should always be silently overlooked. 



The puzzle peg, a device intended to be tied on the 

 dog's under jaw, in such a position that it projects 

 some three or four inches forward on it, was an- 

 ciently devised to make him carry a high nose and 

 thus force him to follow the birds by their body 

 scent. It is a useless and cruel instrument in prac- 

 tice, hence description of it is unnecessary. All me- 

 chanical means are useless unless when applied to 

 correct in the nose a cause which exists in the brain. 

 It is better to permit and encourage the dog to seek 

 in his best manner as his nature impels or permits. 



