12 PRINCIPLES OF DOG TRAINING. 
for old, hard-headed dogs, the education of which 
has been neglected; then potent remedies are 
required, but the application of this instrument 
to very young dogs is as cruel and unwarrantable 
a practice as advocates of the whip ever resorted 
to. I know that I antagonize a few trainers 
when I denounce the use of the spike collar upon 
young dogs; nevertheless, I am entitled to a right 
of opinion, especially when I base it upon per- 
sonal experience. 
The use of the spike emanated with profes- 
sional breakers, who train and educate dogs for a 
pecuniary consideration, and whose aim is to at- 
tain the end in a given period or as short a time 
as possible. Their motives are any other than 
humane, and they are uot influenced by that af- 
fection for their pupils which true sportsmen 
naturally possess. Few of us, in our respective 
spheres, are sufficiently patient. The owner of a 
dog who expects him to work from a sense of 
love and attachment, and follow up the course of 
early impressions, must be content to wait, and 
should not look for first-class execution before the 
second season on game; before he can become a 
thoroughly reliable hunter, in and out of sight, 
