CHAPTER XV. 



GUNSHYNESS. — Overcoming fear of tbe gun. 



THE gunshy dog is a problem most break- 

 ers display great energy in avoiding, and 

 the subject is generally dismissed with the 

 remark that a gunshy dog is not worth break- 

 ing. There will be no argument raised over 

 the statement that it is worth a great deal to 

 break a gunshy dog, but whether the dog is 

 worth breaking is a question that depends 

 altogether upon the dog. Some of the best 

 dogs which have ever stepped into the hunting 

 field have been gunshy, and afterward developed 

 the greatest courage, hardihood, stamina and 

 intelligence in the pursuit of game. 



Gunshyness is due to excessive timidity at 

 unaccustomed sounds, and does not denote any 

 lack of courage in the presence of those scenes 

 and conditions that appeal directly to the dog's 

 natural instincts. The gentle, affectionate little 

 setter bitch which will slink away as if hurt 

 to the death at a harsh word often has all the 

 courage of a lion. She may travel two blocks 

 out of her' way to avoid a snarling city cur, 

 when on her way to the hunting field, but once 



