The Dog Part 27

INITIATORY LESSONS OUT OF DOORS. TRICKS.

110. Lessons in Country Walks.

111. "Instruction in quartering;" hunted where least likely to find Game; taught while young. In Note, b.i.t.c.h shot over when seven months old.

112. If unreasonably long before taking to hunting, the remedy.

113. Utility of Initiatory Lessons; taught without punishing.

114. Self-confidence of timid Dogs increased.

115. The more Dogs learn, the more readily they learn.

116. Two superior Dogs better than half-a-dozen of the ordinary sort; Action of Dogs; their Feet; Loins; dash of Foxhound gives endurance; cross with Bull hunts with nose too low; Reliefs desirable; best Dog reserved for evening.

117. Memorandum, never to ride through gate with gun athwart-ship; instance of Dog's behaving admirably the first day shown Game.

118. Proves the value of Initiatory Lessons.

119. Summary of knowledge imparted by them.

120. Why to signal with _right_ hand.

121. _One_ word only of command; dogs attend to the general _Sound_, not to the several _Words_.

122. Names of Dogs not to end in "O;" to be easily called; to be dissimilar.

123. "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.

CHAPTER VI--537.

FIRST LESSON IN AUTUMN COMMENCED. RANGING.

124. Regular Breakers make Dogs "point" paired Birds in Spring, tends to Blinking.

125. Better not to see Game until shot over; taken out alone on a fine day in Autumn.

126. Perpetually whistling to animate Dogs, injudicious.

127. Beat largest fields, and where least likely to find Game.

128. Commence from leeward; scent bad in a calm or gale.

129 to 133. Instructions in "ranging."

134. Kept from hedge; Range greater on moors than stubble.

135. Distance between Parallels dependent on tenderness of nose.

136. If the Dog is to hunt with another, the Parallels to be farther apart.

137. No interruption when winding Birds, yet not allowed to puzzle; Nose to gain Experience.

138. Birds lie well to Dog that "winds," not "foots" them.

139. Inattentive to Whistle, made to "drop," &c.; when rating or punishing, the disregarded order or signal to be often repeated; Whip to crack loudly. The attainment of a scientific Range difficult, but of surpa.s.sing value; the best ranger must in the end find most Game.

CHAPTER VII.--549.

FIRST LESSON IN AUTUMN CONTINUED. CAUTION.

140. Dog to be hunted alone.

141. Many Breakers exactly reverse this.

142. Turnips, Potatoes, &c., avoided; Range of dogs broken on moors most true.

143. In Turnips, &c., young Dogs get too close to Birds.

144. _Cautious_ Dogs may with advantage be as fast as wild ones; the two contrasted. In Note, injudiciousness of teaching a Puppy to "point" Chickens.

145, 6. A Dog's nose cannot be improved, but his _caution_ can, which is nearly tantamount; how effected.

147. How to make fast Dogs cautious.

148, 149. The cause why wild Dogs ultimately turn out best.

150. The day's Beat commenced from the leeward.

151. Wonderful Dogs, which find Game without hunting.

152. Reason why Dogs should be instructed separately, and allowed Time to work out a scent; young Dogs generally too much hurried.

CHAPTER VIII.--556.

FIRST LESSON IN AUTUMN CONTINUED. CUNNING OF AGE--RANGE OF FROM TWO TO SIX DOGS.

153. Your Dog not to "break fence;" how taught; Birds often sprung while you are scrambling over hedge.

154. Turning one's back upon a Dog to bring him away; stooping down, &c., to make him hunt close.

155. Dog, when fatigued, not to be hunted; leads to false points.

156. Sent home, brushed, and allowed a warm berth; not to follow all day at "heel."

157 to 159. Beat of two Dogs, how regulated.