530 DOG-BREAKING. 



obedience you gain his affection. The greatest4iardship 

 admissible, in this early stage of his education, is a strong 

 jerk of the checkcord, and a sound rating, given, when 

 necessary, in the loudest tone and sternest manner ; and 

 it is singular how soon he will discriminate between the 

 reproving term " bad " to which he will sensitively at- 

 tach a feeling of shame and the encouraging word 

 fct good " expressions that will hereafter have a powerful 

 influence over him, especially if he be of a gentle, timid 

 disposition. 



114. In educating such a dog and there are many 

 of the kind, likely to turn out well, if they are judicious- 

 ly managed, often possessing noses so exquisite perhaps 

 I ought to say cautious as nearly to make up for their 

 general want of constitution and powers of endurance 

 it is satisfactory to think that all these lessons can be incul- 

 cated without in the slightest degree depressing his spirit. 

 On the contrary, increasing observation and intelligence 

 will gradually banish his shyness and distrust of his own 

 powers ; for he will be sensible that he is becoming more 

 and more capable of comprehending your wishes, and 

 therefore less likely to err and be punished (245). 



115. I fear you may imagine that I am attributing 

 too much reasoning power to him. You would not 

 think so if you had broken in two or three dogs. What 

 makes dog-teaching, if not very attractive, at least not 

 laborious, is the fact that the more you impart to a dog, 

 the more readily will he gain further knowledge. After 

 teaching a poodle or a terrier a few tricks, you will be 



