226 KILLING SHEEP. [CH. xm. 



him, (the latter is probably the less painful death, but a 

 charge of shot well lodged behind the ear in the direc- 

 tion of the brain would be yet better.) Therefore you 

 will not mind giving him another chance for his life, 

 though confessedly the measure proposed is most bar- 

 barous. Procure an ash-pole about five feet long. Tie 

 one extremity of the pole to a strong ram, by the part 

 of the horns near the forehead. To the opposite ex- 

 tremity of the pole attach a strong spiked collar, and strap 

 it round the dog's throat, to 'the audible tune of "Ware" 

 or "Sheep." (To prevent the possibility of the cord 

 slipping, through each end of the pole burn a hole.) 

 The continued efforts of the ram for same hours either 

 to free himself from his strange companion, or to attack 

 him, will possibly so worry and punish the dog as to 

 give him a distaste ever afterwards for anything of a 

 woolly nature. The pole will so effectually separate 

 these unwilling (but still too intimate) associates, that 

 you need not muzzle the dog. 



389. There is yet another remedy, which I will name 

 as it sounds reasonable, though I cannot speak of its 

 merits from personal observation, never having seen it 

 tried. 



Wrap a narrow strip of sheep-skin, that has much 

 wool on it, round the dog's lower jaw, the wool outwards, 

 and fasten it so that he cannot get rid of it. Put this 

 on him for a few hours daily, and there is a chance that 

 he will become as thoroughly disgusted, as even you 

 could wish, with every animal of the race whose coat 

 furnished such odious mouthfuls ; but prevention being 

 better than cure, pay great attention to your dog's morals 

 during the lambing season. Dogs not led away by evil 

 companionship rarely commence their depredations 

 upon sober, full-grown sheep. In ninety-nine cases out 



