POINTERS AND SETTERS. 241 



nothing could be done ; but it should be very cautiously applied, 

 and the temper of each dog should be well studied in every case 

 before it is adopted. Kindness will effect wonders, especially 

 where united with firmness, and with a persevering determination 

 to compel obedience somehow ; but, if that " how " can be effected 

 without the whip, so much the better ; still, if it cannot, the rod 

 must not be spared, and, if used at all, it should be used efu 

 caciously. 



Shyness of the gun will general!} 7 also pass off in time ; but, as it 

 seldom occurs, except in very timid and nervous dogs, they do not 

 often become very useful even when they have lost it. The best 

 plan is to lead a shy dog quietly behind the shooters, and not to 

 give him an opportunity ol running off, which he generally docs 

 on the first discharge. When game falls, lead him up and let him 

 mouth it ; and thus, in course of time, he connects cause with effect, 

 and loses that fear of the report, which he finds is followed by a 

 result that gives him the pleasure of scenting fresh blood. 



Pottering at the hedges in partridge-shooting, is the result of 

 using dogs to find rabbits, or of allowing them to look for them, 

 which they always are ready to do, especially if permitted to 

 chase or even to retrieve hares. There is no remedy for it, and a 

 potterer of this kind is utterly worthless and irreclaimable. 



Hunting too wide for close partridge-shooting may be easily 

 remedied by constantly keeping in the dog by the whistle and 

 hand ; and, if he has been properly taught to range at command, 

 little trouble is required in making him change from the wide 

 beat, necessary in countries where game is scarce, to the confined 

 and limited range of sixty yards, which is best where it is thick on 

 the ground 



Chasing fur, and also running in to dead birds, are oft* n most 

 unmanageable vices ; but either can be generally cured by pa- 

 tience and severe treatment, aided, if necessary, by the check cord T 

 or in very bad cases by the spike-collar in addition. When these 

 are used, it is only necessary to work the dog with them on, the 

 cord either trailing loosely on the ground or held in an assistant's 

 hand. Then, the moment the dog runs in, check him severely, 

 11 



