Modern Breaking 141 



of the hunters. After the dog will lead quietly 

 at that distance, he may be brought closer and 

 closer, until finally he will lead a few yards 

 behind the shooters while they are busily en- 

 gaged in shooting. In this way his timidity 

 gradually passes away and the dog will follow 

 the shooters without being confined by a lead. 

 From that, he will in time range out a little 

 and hunt on his own account, and should be 

 encouraged to flush and chase to his heart's con- 

 tent, and develop a love for the sport that will 

 completely stifle any fear of the gun. All 

 this cannot be accomplished in one lesson or 

 even in an entire season, but if persisted in 

 patiently the fear of the gun eventually will 

 be overcome. It is not necessary that the 

 breaker confine himself to one of these meth- 

 ods. He can combine all three, if necessary. 



The one principle for the breaker to bear 

 in mind in breaking a dog of gunshyness is 

 to refrain from petting or attempting to encour- 

 age the dog or to soothe his feelings. These the 

 dog must learn to control by his own observa- 

 tions and reasoning. Every time the breaker 

 attempts to encourage the dog, he really dis- 

 courages him, for he gives the dog the im- 

 pression that there actually is something of 

 which to be afraid. Whereas, if the breaker 

 acts as if there is nothing of which to be 

 afraid and pays no attention to the actions of 



