DOGS FOE THE GUN. 171 



a puppy ; and after a few years' practice she became so know- 

 ing that, besides avoiding raising game out of shot if my 

 attention was otherwise occupied, she always gave a stifled 

 bark to fix it before going in on her quarry. She was other- 

 wise mute, and knew as well as her master that if a bird was 

 sprung unawares to the shooter, he was taken at a dis- 

 advantage. 



Many young dogs, having every natural good quality ready 

 to be perfected, are ruined by the carelessness or indolence of 

 the breaker in allowing too wide a range when the dog is in- 

 clined to take it. A free, active young dog needs especial 

 watchfulness ; for, if he is not judiciously curbed at the very 

 first, his ranging soon increases to rambling, and when this (in 

 my opinion) worst of habits becomes inveterate, the dog will 

 only hunt his own ground in his own way. When, as con- 

 stantly happens with a rambling dog (especially on the moors), 

 he gets a point out of sight, and his master is unable to dis- 

 cover his position, he either springs his game or quits it thus 

 teaching himself to be either a creeper or a blinker. 



I have no doubt any dog may be cured of rambling at first 

 by a good-tempered, painstaking breaker ; but I never knew 

 one, after he had thoroughly learnt the bad lesson, which 

 would not resort to his old tricks whenever his master's notice 

 was relaxed for a moment. Even should the shooter be 

 always watchful, the dog will not hunt with either spirit or 

 success unless he is allowed his own will. I have tried the 

 trash-cord, even heavily weighted, and every other means, on 

 dogs spoilt in this particular by their breaker, but always 

 without success. I was forced to destroy several for no other 

 fault, and have such a dislike to a confirmed rambler, that of 

 the two I would rather break a pup sluggish enough to need 

 encouragement than one so keen as to require restraint. The 

 former is sure to improve rapidly in travel and action as soon 

 as game is killed over him, while the latter may become even 

 more eager and forward from this very cause. 



