“SNAP” VISITING THE TRAPS.
Is it quite certain that the keepers who plead their inability to devote more time to the improvement of their masters’ dogs have never found time to break in dogs belonging to strangers? If a keeper would but make it a rule while he is going his rounds by day (to examine his traps, &c.) to allow each of his pupils in turn to accompany him in fine weather, and avail himself of that opportunity to give the young dogs an occasional out-door lesson, they would all be brought under good subjection, and be taught to obey implicitly every signal of the hand—which is half the battle—without taking him from his other occupations, and without his having devoted more than a few hours exclusively to their preparatory education. If a keeper feels no pride in the conduct of his dogs—if he is not animated with a spark of the enthusiasm that incites the huntsman to such willing exertion in the education and performance of his hounds, he (the keeper) had better change his profession. He may attain to eminence in another, he certainly never will in his present position.
As I have just talked about a keeper “going his rounds” to examine his traps, it would be wrong not to mention the serviceable “Snap,” a white, short-haired terrier belonging to a gamekeeper of Mr. R——e’s, who for many years has sat as member for Dover. The little animal’s personal qualities are far inferior to his mental, for even his master, with all his well-known partiality for his petted companion, cannot call him handsome; but he has a right to quote in the dog’s favour the old saying, “Handsome is as handsome does.” Besides other ways of rendering himself useful, “Snap” willingly considers it a standing rule that he is to start off alone every morning after breakfast to take the tour of all the traps. On his return to the lodge, if he has no report to make, he maintains a discreet silence; but if any of them are sprung, by vermin or otherwise, he loudly proclaims the fact, and leads the keeper, whose time and legs he has thus cleverly saved, direct to any spots requiring his personal attention.
[111] The reason in my opinion is, that they have not been properly taught—how to teach.—W. N. H.
[112] An expeditious method, as is admitted in [191], but there, I think, all praise ceases.—W. N. H.
[113] Doubtless a good plan; perhaps the best plan with a bold dog whose initiatory education has been neglected—and who, in consequence, will not watch for your signals, nor yet look to you on your whistling; but the cord might be longer, and the boy should follow the dog to allow of his range being more extended.—W. N. H.
[114] Meaning the spike-collar described in [300] of this, and 136 of first edition. No mention was made in that edition of the milder collar now spoken of in [301].—W. N. H.
[115] In the correctness of this reasoning I fully concur.—W. N. H.