The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-15
PREPAREDNESS HELPS
WITH SPORTING DOGS
Results Of Preliminary Work
Are Seen When Hunting
Season Begins.

WIN tne opening OF the shooting sea-
son a few weeks of. the exercising OF
dogs intended for use in the field will
have to take a more specific form than
Is offered by mere chance opportunities.
There is a vast amount Of difference be-
tween this taking the dogs out for exer-
else and a proper preparation for the
more serious work incident to long and
continuous hours In the field, such as
the dog will be put to in the coming Sep
TENDER hunting days. Naturally the
first days Of the season must ofer the
cream of the sport. and every care and
attention should be shown SO as to bring
the dogs into the field in the best OF con-
dition. and in every case ht for the work
on hand.
1t Is too frequently the case that the
dogs have not received enough prelimi-
nary exercise. or that they have been
neglected in this respect until the last
few days before the season opens, and in
the hurry to accustom them To field work
they are so overexercised rs to bring
them In a wholly or partially run down
state to- the serious work which the
opening days of the season demand. Tn
der tht Sc circumstances dogs which dur
ing exercise and training may have
given every satisfaction may perform
indifrerently in the field.
Particularly is this the case with
young dogs. which will exhibit a ten
dency to tail on In the afternoon and
refuse their game. AS "A rule this II due
to insufficient or Intellectual exercise. or
course in the case Of a big kennel one
set OF dogs may be employed in the fore
noon and another In the afternoon. As a
rule ir~regularity OF treatment between
exercise and actual work il the cause of
dogs going of in the field. When being
exercised they ave their regular hours,
every consideration is offered to them.
and the first signs Of WEAKNESS point the
direction of the kennel.
Upon the opening day Of the season
an early start IL generally made. n long
day follows. the dogs are worked for all
they are worth and even II they do not
tire then they will scarcely show TO best
advantage the following day. II natur-
ally follows that in their training be-
forehand sporting dogs should be ac-
customed to a hard day or two n be
worked with due consideration when
the actual work In the field IL on hand.
At the same time they benefit by careful
treatment AZ we'll as the man behind
the gun. who makes provision for him
self by taking along "A luncheon, and the
reasons that make him take this lunch
along should suggest that he do the
same for his dogs.
sporting dogs which have had "A hard
day in the field always benefit by a rub
down before being put In their kennel
for the night. The mouth and ~nostrils
should be washed and the back and legs
submitted to a massage. An addition of
stimulating food may be made, and IL
possible II H. wise to allow them an
extra hour for rest in the morning.
Even il an hour IL lost this way the
dogs will easily make up for II by in
creased ardor and spirit during the day.
The question ~ rest for the dogs and
water are two important factors. It
must not be forgotten that while n dog
IL painting II Is not resting and that all
sporting dogs require n spell OF quiet
after they have finished painting. When
the dogs are being rested they also
should b. given water n not allowed
- come up thirsty to a ditch or drain
and drink ia repletion and thus UNIT
themselves for their work.
Much more consideration should he
given them IN wet weather than in fine
and especially when bringing them to
kennel after a wet day. Warm food and
plenty of good bedding should he pro-
rided. for dogs which dry themselves in
good litter benefit far more than II they
be rubbed partially dry and left to com
plete the process on a sleeping bench.
An eye should he kept for instances of
foot soreness from undue wearing away
Of the pad OF the foot. Careful bathing
with tepid water and the removal OF all
grit x generally Will ease "A slight soreness.
serious cases must be treated at
once most carefully.
h successful working OF sporting
dogs In the hunting field to a large ex-
tent Is due to the preparation they re-
beforehand and the care and hus-
banding OF their powers when thew are
at work. Judicious handling and pro-
vision for their simple requirements al
ways will get more out OF the logs than
any undue pressure either before or
n After the ODenin1 NJ tho ,aa.,,