188 



FOREST AND • STREAM. 



fAuo. 81, 1895. 



Now, as to the method itself, there is nothing fixed or 

 arbitrary about it. 



The intermediate stages of education, from carrying an 

 object in play at the beginning to retrieving it usefully to 

 command, are complex and numerous, and vary greatly 

 in every respect, as much so as one dog's character and 

 mental capacity differ from those of another. Even the 

 same dog will vary from time to time in his progress and 

 interest. The different dispositions, likes and dislikes, 

 intelligence and stupidity, whims and peculiarities, are 

 traits which the trainer must study and play upon. All 

 the peculiarities may appear in a multitude of ways while 

 the dog is in training. Even the trainer's own skill will 

 vary. The capabilities of the dog should be carefully 

 noted. Useful peculiarities should be cultivated and un- 

 desirable ones should be suppressed or discouraged, though 

 always modifying and adapting the training to the puppy's 

 capacity and temperament. 



As before intimated, a course, of training which may 

 be a perfect success when applied to one dog may be a 

 failure when applied to another. Each dog must be 

 treated according to his peculiarities. 



In the application of the natural method very little pun- 

 ishment can be given even when the dog is willfully wrong. 

 To the dog the lesson means merely an enjoyahle time, 

 though to the trainer the pretense of fun has a serious 

 purpose. Thus both are actuated by widely different 

 motives. Punishment would therefore spoil the dog's fun 

 and end the lesson. On the other hand, to make it un- 

 restricted fun would defeat the trainer's purpose. Under 

 the pretext of frolic a compromise must be established. 

 By imperceptible stages the fun is gradually merged into 

 business; that is to say, into retrieving. 



There are times, however, when the puppy will not 

 play ; times when he does nor care to be amused ; times 

 when he wishes to be let alone. Then there is no lesson 

 — or at least no lesson which is a gain. 



Mature dogs care little for frolic. For that reason, 

 with few exceptions, this system, in its application, is 

 limited to puppies. A dog which will not play is beyond 

 the scope of the system. Even in the rare instances in 

 which an aged dog can be induced to play, he, having 

 wisdom with age, soon discerns the purpose of the trainer 

 and thereupon loses interest and quits. 



The progress of the puppy, in the play system, is often 

 extremely irregular, slow and faulty. He may express 

 too much of his animal spirits by violently shaking the 

 object to be retrieved, in imitation of combat with an 

 enemy; he may stop to tear it, or race away with it, or do 

 any one of a dozen other things he ought not to do — from 

 the trainer's standpoint. When at a certain stage, which 

 particularly pleases him, it is difficult to advance him to 

 the next higher one. Or he may have some whim or 

 whims which are all wrong as the trainer sees them, and 

 which may require weeks of careful effort to correct. 



In his training, both trainer and method are subservient 

 to the pleasure of the puppy. At best, the trainer can 

 only bide patiently the puppy's whims and inclinations, 

 and the amusement features often last many weeks after 

 the trainer heartily wishes them ended. 



Playfulness gradually disappears as maturity is reached. 

 In most instances, the lessons, when successful, are given 

 from puppyhood to maturity. During this period, the 

 discipline may become so firmly fixed by constant repeti- 

 tion that at maturity the dog may obey from force of 

 habit, supplemented by the ascendency which the trainer, 

 by his superior will power and intelligence, gains over 

 him. 



To entirely restrain one's own purposes and individual^ 

 ity within such limitations as are required by the puppy's 

 whims or pleasure requires a great deal of tact, patience 

 and good temper; or, in respect to the latter, a suppres- 

 sion of ill temper. 



Punishment can only be administered cautiously, and 

 then only as a corrective; that is, to prevent him from 

 doing something which is wrong, not to force him to do 

 that which is right. It is much easier to prevent him 

 from doing something which he wishes to do than it is to 

 make him do something that the trainer wishes aone. 

 Yet withal it is an easy matter to chill the dog's ardor by 

 punishment under this system. By attempting to check 

 him in one detail of the sport, he may be checked in all. 



Generally speaking, the fewer alarming demonstrations 

 that are made while training, the greater will be the success. 

 A single miscalculation in punishment may temporarily 

 or permanently end the whole affair under this system, 

 the ever^recurring fact that the puppy can quit asserting 

 itself whenever he is so pleased. 



The lessons are greatly helped if the trainer can join 

 heartily and sympathetically in the fun; if not so in 

 reality, then so in appearance. A spirited participation 

 on his part adds greatly to the dog's enjoyment and serves 

 to engage his interest permanently. The system is based 

 on deception, and the better the puppy is deceived the 

 better he will learn, if skillfully managed. However, it 

 is extremely difficult for many staid, serious men to 

 simulate a gaiety and playfulness which they do not feel, 

 or at least not in accordance with the puppy's standard. 

 Sham cheerfulness and heavy capers are not likely to last 

 long, and such grim attempts at fun, with a too rapid 

 attempt at mixing work therewith, are sure to excite the 

 puppy's distrust or to chill his interest. Once his interest 

 is destroyed it is no easy matter to again engage it, and 

 afterward it is easy to offend his sense of fun. The play 

 must be genuine if the puppy's interest is to be engaged 

 permanently. 



It should not be inferred that all dogs taught after this 

 manner retrieve well. Only a relatively small number 

 do so. The work of retrievers thus taught is commonly 

 inferior, showing the loose and unfinished effects of the 

 playful lessons. Therewith may be added such peculiar 

 faults and idiosyncrasies as are natural to the dog, or 

 which are incidentally acquired by him. 



However, a dog taught after this system may retrieve 

 in a perfect manner, yet the perfection is not from any 

 inherent virtue of the system. It is simply the manner 

 which the dog has been pleased to adopt. 



[to be continued,] 



POINTS AND FLUSHES. 



It is complimentary to the human race that the most 

 venerable of the physical sciences is astronomy, whose 

 fragmentary ephemerides may be faintly traced to the 

 dimmest antiquity of Babylon and Egypt. In those early 

 ages Sirius figured prominently, both in the scientific 

 study of the skies and the economics of the times. The 

 Thebans determined the length of the year by the number 

 of its risings, and the entire population of the valley of 

 the Nile leaned upon its prognostications of the swelling 

 of that fateful stream. That Sirius might look upon fields 

 and flocks with favor, the Romans rendered him yearly a 

 sacrifice of a dog, and so to this season, when Sirius rose 

 with the sun, was given the name of the "dog days." Be- 

 sides, mythology records that Canis Major, the constella- 

 tion in which Sirius is leader, was one of Orion's hounds, 

 and was purposely placed near the Nimrod of the skies 

 But time has its revenges, and the precession of the equi- 



EWING DEKBY CUP FOB. NEWTON. 



noxes has maladjusted the relation of the Dog-star to the 

 sun, and dissipated in their proper connection the baleful 

 beams of which Virgil wrote, yet the ' 'dog days" serenely 

 hold their own and are likely to exert their potent influ- 

 ence until the turning point in the sun's energy is reached 

 and it begins to grow cold. — Standard Union. 



We publish cuts of the two cups presented to the Conti- 

 nental Field Trials Club by Mr. Geo. W. Ewing, New 

 Islip, L. I. They are of simple yet elegant design, and 

 are trophies worthy of friendly competition. Each bears 

 an inscription commemorating the event where won. Mr, 

 Ewing is deserving of much praise for his generosity and 

 sportsmanship, 



In a letter of recent date, from a friend in Manitoba, it 

 was mentioned that on Aug. 11 the thermometer regis- 

 tered 84". Quite a contrast to the 90s prevailing in the 

 States. 



Trainer Jack Bradford Befriended. 



Marlin, Falls Co., Tex., Aug. 19.— A couple of mem 

 bers of the gun club drove down to the Brazos River 

 yesterday to look after Jack Bradford, who has been pros- 

 pering until recently, fishing and training dogs, at Willow 

 Point, about seven miles from town, below the falls. 

 They found him sick and destitute. One of his horses 

 had drowned and his dogs were nearly starved. The 

 boys immediately secured medical aid and provisions for 

 him and his dogs, but he would not leave his camp, which 



EWING DERBY COP FOB MORRIS. 



he has made into quite a park. We have arranged a 

 home for him in town, where he will have proper atten- 

 tion, and have sent after him imperatively. He is about 

 45 years old and is said to be an expert florist as well as dog 

 fancier, and is a quiet sort of a fellow that everyone likes 

 when acquainted with him. 



He had charge of the Waco Fishing Club property for 

 some time before coming here. The Newsman. 



Boston Terrier Show Abandoned. 



New England Kennel Club. — Boston, Mass., Aug, 24. 

 We have been compelled to abandon our Terrier Show 

 for this year owing to our having been unable to secure a 

 suitable place for holding same. 



D. E, LovELAND, Sec'y. 



Orange County Show. 



Entries for the Orange County Dog Show at Newburgh 

 will close Sept. 10. The premium list may be had of 

 Sec'y David A. Morrison, Newburgh. Prizes run $5, $3, 

 $2 for firsts, and $3, $2 and $1 for seconds, with $5 special 

 for fox-terrier bitch, collies, English setter, bull terrier, 

 pointer, and miscellaneous. The judges will be: Mr. Ed- 

 win H. Morris, Hackensack, N. J. ; Mr. John Brett, Clois- 

 ter, N. J.; Mr. Chas. D. Purroy, New York City; Mr. R. 

 K. Armstrong, Cragston Kennels; Dr. C. P. Stansbrough, 

 Vet. Surgeon. 



Toronto Show. 



Toronto, Aug. 24.— Dog owners and breeders when 

 exhibiting in Toronto will see one of the largest and finest 

 exhibitions in the Toronto Industrial Fair. It would be 

 worth while for anyone to come hundreds of miles to see 

 it, bringing their dogs with them. The following classes 

 and prizes have been added: Class 35£, greyhound pup- 

 pies, both sexes; class 11-J, novice St. Bernards, dogs and 

 bitches; and class 16A, puppy dogs and bitches, same 

 breed; the prizes are for the three classes, 1st $10, 2d $5, 

 3d diploma. 



Thomas Denney kindly donates a very handsome silver 

 cup for the best cocker spaniel stud dog and two of his 

 get, any color. A valuable trophy is given for the best 

 St. Bernard. C. A. Stone. 



KENNEL NOTES. 



Kennel Notes are inserted without charge; and blanks 

 (furnished free) will be sent to any address. Prepared 

 Blanks sent free on application. 



NAMES CLAIMED. 

 Mr. R. F. Maher claims the names 

 Red Duke, for cocker spaniel dog; whelped April, 1895, by Cherry - 

 BrantfordBonita. 



Reham Bene Silk, for cocker spaniel dog, whelped April, 1895, by 

 Cherry-Brantford Bonita. 

 Mr. G. E Call claims the names 

 Chief, for pointer dog, whelped March 8, 1895, by Halt— Blod- 

 wm. 



General, for pointer dog, whelped March 8, 1895, by Halt— Blod- 

 win. 



Peperell, for pointer dog, whelped March 8, 1895, by Halt— Blod- 

 win. 



Mass, for pointer dog, whelped March 8, 1895, by Halt— Blodwin. 

 Mr. D. O. Coleman claims the name Gath's Belle, for English setter 

 bitch, whelped May 30, 1895, by champion Gath's Mark— Belle of Blue 

 Bidge. 



WHELPS. 



Standard Kennels' Velma, beagle bitch, whelped, Aug. 2, four ftwo 

 dogs), by champion Tricotrin. 



Rochester-Pittsburg Bull-Terrier Kennels' Lady Dinah, bull-terrier 

 bitch, whelped, July 20, nine (three dogs), by champion Streatham 

 Monarch. 



Mr. R. F. Maher's Reham Raven Beauty, cocker spaniel bitch, 

 whelped, Aug. 1, seven (three dogs), by King Raven. 



Rice St. Bernard Kennels' Arline, St. Bernard bitch, whelped, Aug. 

 14, eleven (five dogs), by Grand Master. 



Mr. H. F. de B. Cameron's Dowsabel, cocker spaniel bitch, whelped. 

 Aug. 10, six (two dogs), by Willie Silk. 



SALES. 



Mr. J. F. Stoddard has sold Tulip, beagle bitch, to Mr. J. P. Haller. 

 Mr. G. E. Call has sold 



Mass and Peperal, pointer dogs, to Mr. C. F. Lawrence. 



General and Chief, pointer dogs, to Mr. E. Thompson. 

 Mr. Chas. A. Paetzel has sold 



■ , pointer dog, to Mr. T. T. Ashford. 



, pointer bitch, to Mr. T. T. Ashford. . 



Mr. G. G. Williamson has sold 



, English setter bitch, to Mr. D. C. Coleman. 



, English setter bitch, to Mr. H. B. Ledbetter. 



, English setter dog, to Mr. J. H. Cornell. 



DEATHS. 



Mr. G. G. Williamson's Red Bandanna, English setter dog, on July 

 24. Poisoned. 



fachting. 



FIXTURES. 



SEPTEMBER. 



7. First international race. This date Is provisional and 

 may be changed upon Lord Dxinraven's arrival next 

 week. 



The action of the America's Cup Committee in concealing the official 

 measurements of Defender and Vigilant is by no means what might be 

 expected from men of long practical experience in yachting. Assum- 

 ing that any real harm could come from the knowledge of the water- 

 line and sail area of the two yachts, it is still an open question whether 

 the Cup and regatta committees are justified in defying a fixed rule of 

 the club; and it is further questionable whether the precedent thus 

 established may not b§ a most mischievous and harmful one in 

 yachting. 



It is a recognized principle in yacht racing, founded on obvious 

 reasons, that no yacht be allowed to start in a race without being 

 officially measured, and also officially recorded as entering in one 

 particular class with a given allowance to or from other boats in the 

 class. This much is due to the other competitors, and the regatta 

 committee should compel a proper measurement and entry in justice to 

 all. Only lately complaints have reached us of neglect In this particu- 

 lar by smaller clubs ; and the action of the New Tork Y. C. committees 

 establishes a precedent for similar laxity in enforcing the rule. 



What we are most surprised at, considering the make up of the Cup 

 committee, is the technical ignorance which it has displayed in ascrib- 

 ing such an exaggerated importance to the other side of a knowledge 

 of Defender's length and sail area. Such ideas might pass with the 

 average piazza yachtsman and the bold skippers of the rocking-chair 

 fleet, but one does not look for them to-day among men who are 

 thoroughly familiar with the details of design and measurement. The 

 working out of a design is a matter of weeks at least, and the con- 

 struction a matter of months; all the dimensions and details of Valky- 

 rie HI. were decided on months ago, and even the spar plan, the one 

 thing that is most susceptible of alteration, must have been finally 

 completed in June. In a great craft like this, the first thing for the 

 designer to do is to try her as nearly as possible at the designed water- 

 line and with her original spar plan, making such changes of ballast, 

 trim and rig as seem necessary to correct certain faults or to generally 

 improve her speed. With the experience of Thistle and Valkyrie H- 

 to guide him, it is unlikely that Mr. Watson will attempt anything 

 more than to get the highest possible speed out of Valkyrie HI., 

 whether he has to slightly shorten or lengthen her waterline; -this alone 

 is a difficult task in two weeks with no trial boat. It is in tha highest 

 degree improbable that he will, after knowing the measurements of 

 Defender and Vigilant, attempt to improve Valkyrie's allowance by 

 alterations of trim or rig which may affect her speed. The approxi- 

 mate sail area of Defender has been disclosed long ago by photo- 

 graphs, and though her waterline is still unknown, it cannot vary very 

 far from 89ft. 6in. That Valkyrie must allow a minute or two to 

 Defender and Vigilant is quite certain. She is prepared to do so, and 

 her designer would hardly be so foolish as to risk the loss of a minute 

 in speed from an alteration which would save a few seconds in allow- 

 ance. 



The effect of this extreme "foxiness" on the part of the New York 

 Y. C. has been to awaken a feeling of suspicion abroad, and, we be- 

 lieve, to disgust a great many American yachtsmen who believe in 

 making the best possible rules for the regulation of yachting and liv- 

 ing up to them rigidly. 



All lovers of consistency will appreciate the remark of one merrber 

 of the Cup committee, that It would be obviously unfair to Defender 

 to disclose her length and sail area three weeks before the race, when 

 't is remembered that this same gentleman was largely responsible 



