234 The Sporting Dog 



been shot over them, but as a rule a bird dog v/ill 

 point on rabbit. The chief trouble occurs less 

 from the rabbits themselves than from the pres- 

 ence of scent where rabbits are at all abundant, 

 certain dogs being prone to potter over it and 

 false point. 



A watchful trainer, with a few sharp orders to 

 " go on," is generally able to get rid of this diffi- 

 culty after a short time. The main thing is 

 never to shoot a rabbit or to pay any attention 

 to it yourself. If you do not mind it, a dog will 

 not be slow to follow your example. 



Field trial work is handling rather than train- 

 ing. The handler endeavors to reach just the 

 difficult line where a dog can be directed on a 

 course, and still be independent in ranging and 

 absorbed in his search. Natural qualities and not 

 forced habits are the standards. All that matter 

 does not concern the shooting amateur. 



Foxhounds and beagles are not trained. They 

 are "entered," or practised, when young, by having 

 short runs with the old hounds. The only real 

 training is to require the hound to honor the horn, 

 and to refrain from riot on the road. 



Greyhound training is a fine art of itself, but 

 rather resembles the management of a race- 

 horse. The object is not to discipline, but to put 

 in the highest possible physical condition. The 

 only teaching consists in slipping a few times on 



