Now let us suppose that the dog or dogs, whose proper care and bringing up we are to treat of, are of that intelligent and useful class known as sporting or hunting dogs, setters or pointers, and there are no finer kinds to have about even if their owner does not possess a gun or lives far from a game country. It is these dogs' first and natural instinct to have their attention arrested by the peculiar scent that attaches itself to game birds and animals. Most sporting dogs have to be taught to discriminate and to learn that chickens and sparrows are things to be left alone, however.
Now, to bring up a dog successfully his master should study the animal's character and individuality, and adapt himself to him the way a teacher should try to adapt himself to a pupil's natural gifts. There are ambitious dogs, bright dogs, lazy dogs, and dunces, and to make anything of the last requires both time and patience. It is a good dog's natural instinct to endeavor to please his master; he is conscious of the encouragement of praise, and knows well when he has not done his duty. It is firmly believed by many that dogs have a conscience, and proof is not wanting to substantiate this theory.
Truly, a dog has many attributes that we must admire—affection, constant and lasting; a sense of duty and responsibility; a devotion that triumphs over fear and pain; and a loyalty that never swerves. He may admit of friends and acquaintances, but if he is a proper dog he knows but one lord and master, and but one person does the well-brought up dog serve with all his heart.
LEARNING TO LOCATE A BIRD WITHOUT FLUSHING IT.
Let us take a puppy and bring him up in the way he should go. He comes to you a little, good-natured, roly-poly thing, with a wide grin and an uncertain gait, and absolute unconsciousness that he may be of any use or value, the same as a child. You can do almost anything with him if he is a bright puppy. He can be taught to fetch and carry in a dozen lessons. It is his instinct to chase a ball and to tear everything to pieces with his sharp little teeth. His one idea is to have a good time and eat more than is good for him. But now we must take care of his health first, and then show that if he chases a ball it is not to chew it up, but to bring it back to you; that he must not tear things to pieces, for fear of a punishment, and that if he eats things he should not, he is filled with a consciousness that he is doing wrong. No puppy should ever feel hungry. With an old dog it is different; he has stopped growing. It is better to have a dog that has attained his full growth underfed than to give him all that he can eat. Milk and bread, or a little corn meal and a little finely chopped meat, should be given to a puppy, and plenty of it; but if you would have a healthy, wide-awake, grown-up dog, feed him sparingly. One meal a day is all-sufficient; more than that is unnecessary to his health. Prepared dog's food, made in the way of biscuit, is easy to procure. One of these a day, broken up into small bits, will keep a dog in excellent condition. Once a week he may be given a small amount of cooked meat or a mess of porridge and potatoes. Occasionally a bone for him to gnaw on should be given him as a tidbit, but no mess of scraps or chicken bones or fat-inducing things should be allowed him under any circumstances, unless he has been working hard in the field and is in for a day's work on the morrow. A dog should have all the water that he wishes to drink, and it is a good thing to have in the bottom of the pan a small bit of sulphur as large as the end of one's thumb.
By every means his acquaintance should be cultivated, and it should be impressed upon his mind that to his owner he owes everything. If possible, feed him yourself. Give him to understand that you are the one who lets him have his liberty, and whose whistle he must obey.
Never be too familiar with a young dog. He must have a certain respect, not necessarily a fear of you; but he must learn to obey. Any intelligent puppy will learn his name in a few lessons. Once you have given it to him, never change it. Mind you this—when he has once recognized you as being his master, his one idea is to please you and to deserve a pat on the head and a word of praise. Never tussle with him with a stick, and never deceive him under any pretence. More dogs have been spoiled by their masters not playing fair with them than one could reckon. Be honest with your dog, and he will be honest with you.