206 TRAINING THE HUNTING DOG 



dormant for the time being, he is likely to be indiffer- 

 ent to the wishes of his trainer. 



Before beginning the lessons, it is better to have 

 the puppy's interest by engaging in play with him at 

 numerous times during the preceding weeks, so that 

 all his associations of ideas are anticipatory of 

 amusement. Also, it is best to prohibit entirely all 

 efforts to amuse him on the part of others. Thus 

 the puppy from habit looks to his trainer and depends 

 entirely upon him for his moments of pleasure; in 

 fact, if no one else amuses him, he is ignorant of the 

 fact that amusement exists apart from association 

 with his trainer, and success will be according as 

 the latter can bring himself down or up to the dog's 

 standard of amusement. 



A ball, pad or old glove makes a fairly good object 

 on which to practice the dog in retrieving. It is bet- 

 ter to wash them frequently when used, as, from be- 

 slavering and rolling on the ground, they quickly be- 

 come soiled and offensive. An object with iron nails 

 in it, so that the dog cannot bite it, is best, but, un- 

 fortunately, such object the dog refuses to hold in his 

 mouth. Iron, when against the dog's teeth, is 

 specially repugnant to him. 



