16 
THE AMATEUR TRAINER. 
to gain his confidence and affection; make it a 
rale to administer his food in person, thereby as¬ 
sociating your presence with pleasure and benefit 
to himself. 
At the age of three or four months commence to 
take the puppy to a likely place of game birds, but 
take no gun; thickets are to be avoided. Allow him 
to follow out his own inclinations in roaming about, 
nosing out birds, giving chase to his heart’s con¬ 
tent, etc., and never attempt to restrain him in this 
particular sport. In doing so you can observe much 
of the embryo, instinctive and functional qualifica¬ 
tions of the future pupil. The more enthusiasm and 
vim he may display, the more promising the puppy. 
If of somewhat timid disposition, so that the flutter 
of wings may startle him, then do your utmost to 
encourage and strengthen his ambition. From this 
time forward continue to visit the open field with 
the puppy, for the purpose of allowing him to search 
for and find game in his own way, until the time 
arrives when yard training shall commence. The 
more opportunities the puppy is given in finding 
birds, the quicker will he establish the habit of 
systematic hunting and pointing . It is best not to 
endeavor to assist the puppy in the finding and 
pointing beyond leading into a locality where oppor¬ 
tunities may be most plentiful. Finding and point¬ 
ing are instincts that cannot be enhanced by the 
trainer. If a puppy is continually called off, in¬ 
duced to go here and there, etc., he soon ceases to 
