TRAINING GUN DOGS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 November 1943, Page 5

TRAINING GUN DOGS

approved methods ADDRESS BY MR R. V. MASON A short address on approved methods of training gun dogs was given by Mr R. V. Mason (Masterton) at the gathering held by the Wairarapa Gun Dog Club at the Lake Domain, Featherston, yesterday. r , Mr Mason told his hearers that the key to success lay largely in harnessing the dog’s enthusiasm for his alloil( r“ task. A young gun dog, he said, shoul have unbridled vigour and dash, s ou be romping and alert, and in this name of mind taken out shooting as often as practicable, and left largely to is own devices. N*o form of control oi harsh command need be given to the puppy, lest it react on its inhei ent w and instinct to learn the greatest function for which he was destined the art of finding the game Should the puppy tire, put him m S him rest, said Mr Mason. All his little tasks in retrieving, be they with a tiny stick or some attractive object in which he has shown interest, should be fully rewarded, both by kindly word and some titbit, while great care should be taken never to sicken the P u PP y any way. Control should be so gradually applied that the pupil can be scarcely aware of it. Mr Mason C eluded by stating that if the' enforcement of commands robbed the dog o keenness for his job, it would be by handlers that the better way would be to have less command and leave the young dog with a stronger wi or work. Obedience invariably followed in later months without undue pressure. . . T At the close of his address a heaitj vote of thanks to Mr Mason was carried by acclamation.