FOR THE FIELD AND FIELD TRIALS. 215 



shotgun and whip would be quite likely to come into 

 use, and are then cruel instruments, solely because 

 they are so applied in a cruel manner by a cruel man. 



To teach the dog to retrieve from the effects of 

 pain, some trainers pinch the toes, the ears, the nose, 

 or apply the whip or collar. The latter has the 

 special advantage of direct control over the dog's 

 mouth while the pain is inflicted. Pinching 1 the 

 mouth hampers him in the use of it. When the pain 

 is inflicted by the other means enumerated, the dog's 

 mouth is under but little control, hence the progress 

 is less positive and less complete. 



In the application of force, intelligence, kindness, 

 sympathy for the dog in his efforts to perform the 

 desired act, good temper and a knowledge of dog 

 nature are essential to the best success. An ignor- 

 ant man can apply more force, but he should not con- 

 found his senseless punishing ability with true dog 

 training. To cause pain is a limited aid to training; 

 it is not the training itself. 



Retrievers trained after the "force system" are 

 finished performers of their work. By virtue of this 

 system, they have undergone a discipline which left 

 their dislikes ancj objections unconsidered. They 



