THE DOG. 159 



fault, and be it added his master's disgrace, if he ever 

 lose his teachings, or if he ever require severe or cruel 

 punishment to maintain it. 



Nine dogs are cowed, ruined and rendered irretriev- 

 ably worthless, by cruel flogging for small causes, or for 

 no cause at all, where one is spoiled for want of it ; and, 

 even in early breaking, the constant resort to the whip 

 must be regarded as a proof that the breaker is incompe- 

 tent to his business by milder and more legitimate means. 



Still, the whip, I do not mean to deny it, must be used 

 in the commencement; the animal must be made ac- 

 quainted with its power, and taught to know that it is the 

 ultimate consequence of refractory conduct or obstinacy. 



The great point to be gained is to make a dog aware 

 that he has done wrongly, before he is punished ; the 

 great point to be avoided, the punishing him, so far as he 

 knows, for no offence ; that is, when he is ignorant of any 

 wrong-doing. 



When punishment is to be inflicted, it should be 

 done with a sharp, tough, slender whip, capable of inflict- 

 ing stinging, painful strokes, but incapable of cutting, as 

 a cowhide ; or bruising, as the heavy thongs one often sees 

 used for the purpose. A stick should never be laid to a 

 dog, unless it be a slender birchen twig, or the like, for it 

 almost invariably bruises. The ears should on no account 

 ever be pulled so as to give pain, for to do so is almost 

 sure to produce deafness ; though it is very well to pinch 

 them gently as a sign of rebuke, and perhaps to box them 

 slightly with the fingers, while rating and scolding the ani- 

 mal. When intelligent, and kindly treated, it is remark- 



