128 TRAINING DOGS FOR THE GUN. 



position till the gun is re-loaded ; and the disposition and temper 

 of the animal should be the rule and guide of correction. A 

 well-bred dog will generally become perfect in this lesson in a 

 very short period. 



It sometimes happens, however, that a young dog will testify 

 every symptom of alarm on the firing of the fowling piece : 

 will, perhaps, run home, and be with difficulty brought again to 

 the field. When this occurs, I consider it a very unfortunate 

 circumstance, as it will frequently require no ordinary pains to 

 free the dog from this unnecessary fear. There is no better 

 mode of effectually remedying the evil, than by convincing the 

 animal that the discharge of the fowling piece is intended for a 

 very different purpose than to create alarm. He must there- 

 fore, be brought back, and compelled to remain in company with 

 the sportsman : he must, in fact, be led in a cord, to prevent 

 his running away again ; and if an attendant be not in the field, 

 the sportsman may tie the cord round his own body. A few 

 birds should be killed over him as quickly as possible, which should 

 be shown to him. and he should be allowed to mouth them, if 

 he appears inclined to do so: if a bird happen to be winged, he 

 should be enticed to foot it ; thus he will very soon compre- 

 hend the true intention of the fowling piece; his fears will sub- 

 side ; and he will shortly manifest as much anxious joyful ex- 

 pectation at the sight and sound of a gun, as he previously 

 testified alarm and terror. 



Some persons accustom their young dogs to the report of 

 fire-arms at a much earlier period than when taken into^the field ; 

 in fact, when they are very young. Certainly, if they endure 

 the report of a gun or pistol at this early period, there can be 

 little dread of their taking alarm when brought into the field; 

 but if a very young dog or whelp takes fright on the report of 

 a pistol or gun, his fears will become so rooted that much greater 

 difficulty will arise in completing his education than in the case 



