THE AMATEUR TRAINER. 97 
ally well developed. These factors are of great mo¬ 
ment when he is again taken in hand by the trainer, 
who, if he does not blunder himself by letting the 
headstrong dog have his own will, or to confirm 
him in his bad practices by improper application of 
the rules laid down in this manual, will encounter 
no serious difficulties to conquer and reform the cul¬ 
prit. The eye of the trainer has great influence 
over the obstinate dog, and in many cases will be 
found more potent than even the force collar. Special 
cases require distinct treatment, so that no general 
rule can be established; but the trainer will fairly 
well succeed in correcting faults if he refers to the 
instructions given under proper headlines for train¬ 
ing unbroken dogs, having direct reference to the 
special case in hand. 
BREAKING SHOT. 
At a certain stage in training it may be advisa¬ 
ble to allow a dog to rush in when a bird has been 
shot, to retrieve the same; this should be encouraged 
with a timid or otherwise backward dog, to enhance 
his anxiety in getting game into his possession ; but 
as soon as this is sufficiently accomplished, steadiness 
to shot must invariably be insisted upon. Breaking 
shot is not a bad sign in young dogs ; it shows the 
instinctive desire to obtain birds. When breaking 
shot is permitted beyond a certain limit, it becomes 
detrimental to the dog, is very annoying to the 
sportsman, and must be checked by all means. If 
