TRAINING DOGS FOR THE GUN. 133 



which he would have torn to pieces had he not been prevented ; 

 but a circumstance of this sort rarely occurs, and, in the instances 

 to which I allude, the dogs were grown rather too old to be 

 cured by this or any other mode short of confinement or death. 

 If a young dog look earnestly at, or set, a sheep, he should 

 be corrected ; and, if you find him repeat it, have recourse to 

 the ram, as by far the most effectual mode that can be adopted. 

 A dog should be corrected, in fact, the moment he is observed to 

 manifest the slightest inclination even to notice sheep ; as he 

 will, if not checked, first look and set, then chase, and, ultimately, 

 worry them. 



As to poultry, the evil is not of so much magnitude, nor the 

 disposition to worry it so difficult to subdue, as when sheep are 

 the object ; besides, poultry, by being generally about the house 

 or premises, afford better, as well as more frequent, opportunities 

 of observation. Young pointers are very apt to make their first 

 essay, as it were, by worrying chickens, or pigeons, where they 

 happen to be very tame. Early and severe flogging will, how- 

 ever, generally remedy the evil : if not, tie a fowl (a living one 

 is the best, on account of its fluttering,) to the dog's tail, and tie 

 it in such a manner, either by a cleft stick or otherwise, that it 

 may give the dog considerable pain. Take him to a place some 

 distance from his kennel, and, after giving him a few smart strokes 

 with the whip, let him loose, and he will seldom fail to run home, 



after, "come," says he, "come with me to the kennel, and see what rare 

 sport the ram makes among the hounds ; the old fellow lays about him 

 stoutly, I assure yoa egad he trims them there is not a dog dares look 

 him in the face." His friend, who is a compassionate man, pitied the 

 hounds exceedingly, and asked if he was not afraid that some of them 

 might be spoiled?" No, d a them," said he, " they deserve it, and let 

 them suffer." On they went all was quiet. they opened the kennel 

 door, but saw neither ram nor hound. The ram by this time was en- 

 tirely eaten up, and the hounds having filled their bellies, were retired 

 to rest. 



M 



