43. Setters and Pointers naturally hunt with their noses sufficiently close to the ground,—they want elevating rather than depressing. Notwithstanding, you will do well to show your pupil a few times out of doors, how to work out a scent, by dragging a piece of bread unperceived by him down wind through grass, and then letting him “foot” it out. Try him for a few yards at first; you can gradually increase the length of the drag. You must not, however, practise this initiatory lesson too frequently, lest you give him the wretched custom of pottering.

OLD-FASHIONED ENGLISH SETTER,—RETRIEVERS, ONE A CROSS WITH BLOODHOUND.
Heel.—“A backward low wave of the right hand.”—Par. [44].

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“HEEL.”—“GONE.”

44. The word “Heel,” and a backward low wave of the right hand and arm to the rear, (the reverse of the underhand cricket-bowler’s swing,) will, after a few times, bring the dog close behind you. Keep him there a while and pat him, but do not otherwise reward him. The object of the order was to make him instantly give up hunting, and come to your heels. This signal cannot be substituted for the “beckon.” The one is an order always obeyed with reluctance (being a command to leave off hunting), whereas the “beckon” is merely an instruction in what direction to beat, and will be attended to with delight. The signal “heel,” however, when given immediately after loading, is an exception; for the instructions about “Dead,” in [xi]. of paragraph 141, will show that without your speaking, it may be made to impart the gratifying intelligence of your having killed. See also [277].

45. To teach him to attach a meaning to the word “Gone,” or “Away,” or “Flown,”[12] (select which you will, but do not ring the changes,) you may now rub a piece of meat (if you have no one but your servant to scold you) in some place where the dog is accustomed frequently to find, and when he is sniffing at the place say “Gone,” or “Away.” This he will, after some trials, perceive to be an intimation that it is of no use to continue hunting for it.

46. You will greatly facilitate his acquiring the meaning of the command “Fence,” or “Ware fence,” if, from time to time, as he is quitting the room through the open door or garden window, you restrain him by calling out that word.