shooting, yet begrudged for superior Dogs.—139. Memorandum, never to ride through gate with gun athwart-ship; instance of Dog’s behaving admirably the first day shown Game.—140. Proves the value of Initiatory Lessons.—141. Summary of knowledge imparted by them.—142. Why to signal with right Hand.—143. Obedience of Shepherd’s Dogs to Signals.—144. One Word only of command; dogs attend to the general Sound, not to the several Words.—145. Names of Dogs not to end in “O;” to be easily called; to be dissimilar.—146. “Drop” better word of command than “Down;” use words of command least likely to be employed by others; when purchasing a Dog, ascertain what words he is accustomed to.—147 to 149. Ladies have no control over Dogs; the reason.—150. They possess patience and temper: could teach any Tricks; Dogs how taught to fag at Cricket.—151. Newfoundland carrying off lady’s Parasol for a Bun.—152. He was a Physiognomist.—153. Method of teaching “carrying,” greatly differs from method of teaching “fetching.”—154. Tricks exhibited with effect.—155 to 157. Instanced at Tonbridge Wells.—158, 159. Instanced at Gibraltar; Game of Draughts.—160, 161. Elephant shown off.—162. Bewilderment of Keeper of Menagerie.—163. Ladies’ Pets too pampered; Shepherd’s Collies.—164. Kindness without petting.—165, 166. Instance of bad Habit cured by perseverance. Ladies breaking in Dogs for the gun. In note, Whale fishing at Bermuda.—167. Dog’s Affections; always gained by first attentions; win his love, that he may exert himself to please.—Dog sleeping on poacher’s clothes.—169. Esquimaux Dogs; Esquimaux Women.
BUSINESS IN HAND.
131. As I before observed, you can practise most of the initiatory lessons in your country walks. Always put something alluring in your pocket to reward your pupil for prompt obedience. Do not take him out unnecessarily in bad weather. On no account let him amuse himself by scraping acquaintance with every idle cur he meets on the way; nor permit him to gambol about the lanes. Let him understand by your manner that there is business in hand. Never let him enter a field before you. Always keep him at your heels, until you give him the order to be off. You will find him disposed to presume and encroach. According to the old adage, “Give him an inch, and he will take an ell.” He will be endeavouring to lead rather than to follow, and, should he fancy himself unobserved, he will most perseveringly steal inch upon inch in advance. Be ever on the watch, ready to check the beginning of every act of disobedience. Implicit obedience in trifles will insure it in things of more importance—but see par. 345.
INCLINED TO ‘RAT.’
INSTRUCTION IN QUARTERING.
132. For some time, but the period is uncertain,—say from his being eight months old until double that age,[21]—he will merely gallop and frisk about, and probably will take diligently to persecuting butterflies. Let him choose what he likes. Don’t think that he will prize small beer, when he can get champagne. He will leave off noticing inferior articles as he becomes conversant with the taste of game. It is now your main object to get him to hunt; no matter what, so that he is not perpetually running to “heel.” And the more timid he is, the more you must let him chase, and amuse himself as his fancy dictates. When you see that he is really occupying himself with more serious hunting, eagerly searching for small birds, especially larks, you must begin instructing him how to quarter his ground to the greatest advantage, under your constant direction. Should any one join you, or anything occur likely to prevent your giving him your strictest attention, on no account permit him to range,—keep him to “heel” until you are quite prepared to watch and control all his movements. Hunt him where he is least likely to find game, for he will take to quartering his ground far more regularly, under your guidance, where his attention is least distracted by any scent. The taint of partridge would be almost sure to make him deviate from the true line on which you are anxious he should work. Labour now diligently, if possible daily, though not for many hours a day; for be assured, a good method of ranging can only be implanted when he is young: but be discreet, if he be naturally timid, you may make him afraid to leave your heel—the worst of faults.
133. Should your pup be so long before taking to hunting that your patience becomes exhausted, let an old dog accompany you a few times. When he finds birds, gradually bring the young one upon them from leeward, and let him spring them. Encourage him to sniff the ground they have quitted, and allow him to run riot on the haunt. After that enjoyment, the example of the old dog will most likely soon make him range, and employ his nose in seeking a repetition of what has afforded him such unexpected delight. If it does not, and the old dog is steady and good-humoured enough to bear the annoyance cheerfully, couple the young one to him. Before this he should have learned to work kindly in couples (48). But I am getting on too fast, and swerving from the track I had marked for myself. By-and-by I will tell you how I think you should instruct your youngster to quarter his ground to the best advantage. (173, &c.)
GAIN AFFECTION.
134. Common sense shows that you ought not to correct your dog for disobedience, unless you are certain that he knows his fault. Now you will see that the initiatory lessons I recommend, must give him that knowledge, for they explain to him the meaning of almost all the signs and words of command you will have to employ when shooting. That knowledge, too, is imparted by a system of rewards, not punishments. Your object is not to break his spirit, but his self-will. With his obedience you gain his affection. The greatest hardship admissible, in this early stage of his education, is a strong jerk of the checkcord, and a sound rating, given, when necessary, in the loudest tone and sternest manner; and it is singular how soon he will discriminate between the reproving term “bad” (to which he will sensitively attach a feeling of shame), and the encouraging word “good,”—expressions that will hereafter have a powerful influence over him, especially if he be of a gentle, timid disposition.
135. In educating such a dog,—and there are many of the kind, likely to turn out well, if they are judiciously