RUSHING AT FENCES.
33. Confidence being fully established, pursue the same plan when you ride the pony. Again commence with a copper cap, only by slow degrees coming to the full charge. As before, always reward him after every discharge, and also at the moment when you pull up and throw the reins on his neck. If he finds he gets slices of carrot when he stands stock-still, he will soon become so anxious to be stationary that you will have to ride with spurs to keep him to his work. By such means you could get him to lead over fences and stand on the other side until you remount. Many years ago I had in Ireland a chestnut which did not belie his colour, for I purchased him far below his value on account of his great impetuosity with hounds. He had a sad habit of rushing at his leaps, but riding him in a smooth snaffle, and often giving him slices of carrot, gradually cured his impatience, and he ultimately became very gentle and pleasant. A naval officer, well known to a friend of mine, finding he could not by other means make his pony stand when the dogs pointed, used, sailor like, to anchor the animal by “heaving overboard” (as he expressed it) a heavy weight to which a line from the curb-bit was attached. The weight was carried in one of the holster pipes,—in the other was invariably stowed away a liberal allowance of “Grog and Prog.”
CHAPTER III.
INITIATORY LESSONS CONTINUED. SPANIELS.
[34], [35]. Initiatory Lessons in “Dead” and “Seek,” continued.—[36]. In Signals to hunt to the “right”—“left”—“forward.”—[37]. In the “Beckon.” Woodcock Shooting in America.—[38]. In looking to you for instructions.—[39]. In “Care.”—[40]. Always give a reward.—[41]. In “Up.”—saves using Puzzle-peg.—[42]. Dog to carry Nose high.—[43]. Initiatory Lesson in “Footing” a Scent.—[44]. In “Heel.”—[45]. In “Gone” or “Away.”—[46]. In “Fence” or “Ware fence.”—[47]. “No” a better word than “Ware.”—[48]. Accustomed to couples.—[49]. Initiatory Lessons in-doors with a Companion—when one “drops” the other to “drop.”—[50]. Makes “Backing” quickly understood.—[51]. Initiatory Lessons with a Companion in the Fields.—[52]. Initiatory Lessons save Time—make Dogs fond of hunting.—[53]. Checkcord described. Wildest Dogs possess most energy.—[54]. Advantages of Checkcord explained—Spaniels broken in by it.—[55]. Lad to act as Whipper-in.—[56]. Retriever that acted as Whipper-in.—[57]. Jealousy made him act the part. Might be taught to Retriever.—[58]. Instead of “down charge” coming to “heel.”—[59]. As Puppies kept close to you, not to “self-hunt”—“broke” from hare.—[60]. Blacksmith straps Horse’s Leg above Hock—Dog’s similarly confined—Shot-belt round the necks of wildest.—[61]. Hunted in Gorse.—[62]. Age when shown Game. Example of good Spaniels advantageous.—[63]. Perfected in “Drop”—taught to “seek dead”—to “fetch”—entered at Hedge-rows and lightest Covers. Bells to Collars.—[64]. To hunt further side of Hedge.—[65]. How Sportsmen may aid Keeper. In note, Covers for Pheasants. Hints to Tyros on Shooting and Loading (See [Appendix]).—[66]. Experienced Spaniels slacken Pace on Game.—[67]. Difficult to work young ones in Silence.—[68]. Spaniels that Pointed.—[69]. Game first accustomed to, most liked.—[70]. Principal requisites in Spaniels.—[71]. The signal “to point with finger.”—[72]. Following Cockers a Young Man’s work.—[73]. Education differs in different Teams.—[74]. One and a half couple of large Spaniels sufficient. One of the Team to retrieve.—[75]. Clumbers procuring more Shots in Turnips than Pointers.—[76]. Lord P——n’s highly broken Team.—[77]. Of small Cockers three couple a Team. What constitutes Perfection.—[78]. Retriever with Team. Duke of Newcastle’s Keepers.—[79]. Some Teams allowed to hunt Flick.—[80]. Rabbits shot to a Team in Gorse. Shooting to Beagles described—[81]. Markers necessary with wild Spaniels.—[82]. Cover beat with wildest Dogs before shot in. Woodcocks.—[83]. Old Sportsmen prefer mute Spaniels.—[84]. Babblers best in some Countries. Cock-shooting in Albania.—[85]. Hog and deer in ditto.—[86]. Glorious month’s sport in the Morea.—[87]. Handy old Setters capital in light cover. Attention necessary when first entered.—[88]. C——e’s Pointers as good in cover as on the stubble.—[89]. Pointer that ran to opposite side of Thicket to flush Game towards Gun.—[90]. Water Spaniels, how broken.—[91]. Shepherd’s Forward Signal best for Water Retrievers.—[92]. Wildfowl reconnoitred with Telescope.—[93]. Qualities required in Water Retriever. In note, Poachers in Snow. Beast or man of one uniform colour easily detected.—[94]. Ducks emit a tolerable scent—“Flint” and Mr. C——e’s Setter.—[95]. Steady Spaniels in Rice Lakes.
“DEAD.”—“SEEK.”—SIGNALS.
34. When your young dog is tolerably well advanced in the lessons which you have been advised to practise, hide a piece of bread or biscuit. Say “Dead, dead.” Call him to you. ([44].) Let him remain by you for nearly a minute or two. Then say “Find,” or “Seek.” Accompany him in his search. By your actions and gestures make him fancy you are yourself looking about for something, for dogs are observing, one might say, imitative, creatures.[10] Stoop and move your right hand to and fro near the ground. Contrive that he shall come upon the bread, and reward him by permitting him to eat it.
35. After a little time (a few days I mean), he will show the greatest eagerness on your saying, at any unexpected moment, “Dead.” He will connect the word with the idea that there is something very desirable concealed near him, and he will be all impatience to be off and find it; but make him first come to you, (for reason, see [269].)—Keep him half a minute.—Then say “Find,” and, without your accompanying him, he will search for what you have previously hidden. Always let him be encouraged to perseverance by discovering something acceptable.