236 TRAINING THE HUNTING DOG 



the dog's liberty is restricted at all times, otherwise 

 he would seek food independently. 



If the dog is a confirmed bolter, it is better to take 

 him at once into the open field for his lessons. He 

 must be prevented from running away, and hence 

 the spike collar and check cord come into useful play 

 at this juncture. They do not in the least allay his 

 fears of the gun, nor have they any inherent powers 

 of cure concerning it. They simply prevent or de- 

 ter him from running away, and thus prevented he 

 must be, else a cure cannot be effected. Then, shoot- 

 ing with judgment and exhibiting kindness, an un- 

 concerned manner, and a judicious bestowal of re- 

 wards will effect a cure in the majority of cases. 



Dogs have been cured by taking them to a trap- 

 shooting tournament and chaining them in a safe 

 place near-by the shooters, Neither dog nor man can 

 remain continuously in a state of fright, whether the 

 danger is real or imaginary. Continuous firing, 

 hour after hour, merely wears out the dog's fright, 

 and he becomes accustomed to it from habit. 



If the dog has ordinary courage and sense, the 

 cure is sometimes effected in the field in a moment. 

 If he has a desire to pursue birds, he may be led on 



