52 The Dog Book 



perfect dog seen yet, of all the many hundreds of prize-winners. When one 

 knows where his dog is deficient, he is not likely to put that deficiency more 

 prominently before the judge than he can avoid. Whereas, if the dog is 

 particularly good in any feature, you may depend upon it, that is what the 

 judge is most persistently invited to gaze upon. A man who does not know 

 where his dog is wrong is likely to be unknowingly doing it all the harm he 

 can by the way in which he is allowing it to stand. 



One of the first things a puppy should be taught is to follow on lead; 

 and this should begin with the putting on of a collar. Let the youngster 

 wear that for a few days until he ceases to pay attention to it. Sometimes 

 a puppy that is full of play and life will almost take naturally to the lead, 

 and others are very slow to learn. In the latter case try persuasion, remem- 

 bering that the best- way to a dog's heart is down his throat. Get a few 

 pieces of meat and drop your end of the lead. Then offer the puppy a piece 

 of meat, and it might be well to have him hungry for this lesson. He will 

 come sooner or later for the meat, so keep moving about and giving it in 

 small scraps, then take off the lead when you have done. Try this again 

 the next day, and when he has become so accustomed to the lead as to race 

 about with it on, take hold of it and feed him as before walking about. If 

 he balks, stop at once and get him to come naturally to you for the meat. 

 Associate the lead with some pleasure and not with a punishment in the 

 case of timid dogs. Also from time to time feed him with scraps when on 

 the lead and so prepare him for showing. Even if dogs have not all to be 

 shown as terriers and on the alert, like spaniels for instance, yet there is the 

 association of the lead with a pleasure and the dog is livelier. 



Bear in mind that no dog should rely on past record to win, any more 

 than a racehorse does, but ought to win on its merits as shown, and 

 herein condition plays a prominent part, if the judging is done by a capable 

 man, in a proper manner. Hence it behooves every owner, particularly 

 of a good young dog, to show him on the first occasion in as perfect condition 

 as possible. It is better to wait till a later show than to give him a set-back 

 to begin with. 



In order to do justice to the dog, provided he has been broken to the 

 lead and is bright and lively, and will show off to advantage, attention must 

 be turned to having him in good bodily condition. This should not be 

 delayed until close to the show, but must be attended to during some two 

 months prior to the proposed time of exhibiting. 



