Modern Breaking 87 



dog should be given a run before being taken 

 to the birds, and if it is a nice open field a long- 

 check cord may be attached to the dog's collar. 

 All the breaker can do now is to try to get to the 

 dog when he first makes game. Once he gets 

 near him while pointing, little trouble will be 

 experienced in making the dog stanch. In this, 

 of course, there is some risk of making the 

 dog a false pointer, but with that fault, serious 

 as it is, it is not necessary to be very much 

 concerned at present. What is particularly 

 desired at this time is to get the dog in the 

 way of pointing stanchly, and the main thing 

 is to get to the pointing dog when he stops. 

 If he appears to have the body scent of birds 

 he should be held by the collar a moment and 

 stroked gently while the order of "to-ho" is 

 given, repeated in a low tone. The breaker 

 should then attempt to push the dog forward. 

 The dog will resist this, likely, and settle back 

 against the force of the breaker. This is what 

 is desired — a contrary idea to that of breaking 

 in on the birds. Great liberties may be taken 

 with the dog at this time. He may be taken 

 by the root of the tail and gently lifted off his 

 hind feet and allowed to drop, and pushed 

 about gently. 



With this, as with all other lessons, too much 

 must not be done at once. If the first attempt 

 is anything like a success, the dog will enjoy 



