252 TRAINING THE HUNTING DOG 



eating the birds; pointing them; backing the com- 

 peting dog; "bird sense"; steadiness to point, wing 

 and shot; judgment in speed and endurance in rang- 

 ing. 



The general wisdom of the dog, as manifested 

 by his practical acts, is expressed by the term "bird 

 sense." Any training over and above what brings 

 out these qualities in a finished manner is redun- 

 dant, and, from a competitive standpoint, tends to- 

 ward harming the dog's chances rather than toward 

 improving them. In seeking, finding, pointing, etc., 

 the mind of the dog should be concentrated on the 

 work which is recognized as competitive. If he 

 makes his work secondary to the doings of his han- 

 dler he is thereby hampered with considerations 

 which are not competitive, and his performance as 

 a contestant will be injured accordingly. In short, 

 the field trial dog is trained specially to fit the con- 

 ditions of a race. If he works out his ground with 

 greater speed and more judgment, follows a trial 

 with greater speed and precision, points his birds 

 more truly than does his competitor, he will be do- 

 ing practically all the work. His opponent then will 

 seem \Q be doing nothing, for the work all being 



