250 TRAINING THE HUNTING DOG 



work is essential, for one can easily understand that 

 a dog which works on his birds sharply, accurately 

 and intelligently will not give a slower dog any 

 chance to score, however well the latter may be able 

 to work if given more time. No forcing process 

 serves to fit the dog for a field trial. Over-exercis- 

 ing to reduce fat, whipping to correct errors, etc., do 

 not condition or prepare the dog. Soft flesh, thick 

 wind and unskillfulness are not corrected by hurry or 

 pressure. Good, honest preparation and enough 

 time are the essentials. 



Without the necessary preparation no dog has 

 other than an exceedingly remote chance in a field 

 trial competition. Trusting to luck and to one's own 

 ability to help the dog to win is trusting to a forlorn 

 hope. 



The judges are quite alive to what work is done 

 independently by the dog and what is done by the 

 assistance of his handler. They will make their esti- 

 mates accordingly. This does not imply that skill 

 is not necessary in handling a dog in a field trial, 

 but it notes a distinction between skillfully handling 

 a dog which is able to make a good competition and, 

 on the other hancj, endeavoring to assist one which 



