26 PRINCIPLES OF DOG TRAINING. 
though ever ready to supply his wants, and re- 
ward him for his good deeds, you are equally 
resolved to punish his transgressions. 
Some authors on breaking advise —if the 
shooting season finds your pup six months old — 
taking him into the field without any previous 
instructions, assuring you that the work of train- 
ing can be accomplished with half the labor 
necessary in the yard, or out of season. I most 
emphatically differ from them on this point, and 
think that the want of practical knowledge which 
such advice evinces is glaringly apparent. I do 
not deny that a dog can be broken in the field 
without any previous preparation, nor contend 
that yard-breaking is absolutely necessary to make 
a fielder. I do know, however, that first les- 
sons in the field are attended with innumerable 
difficulties, and IT would advise you to defer enter- 
ing there, for a month at least, for your pup’s 
sake, delaying until he is familiar with a few 
signs and commands, which are intended to 
govern his actions when on game. 
