CHAPTER V.
INITIATORY LESSONS OUT OF DOORS.—TRICKS.
[131]. Lessons in Country Walks.—[132]. “Instruction in quartering;” hunted where least likely to find Game; taught while young. In note, Bitch shot over when seven months old.—[133]. If unreasonably long before taking to hunting, the remedy.—[134]. Utility of Initiatory Lessons; taught without punishing.—[135]. Self-confidence of timid Dogs increased.—[136]. The more Dogs learn, the more readily they learn.—[137]. Two superior Dogs better than half-a-dozen of the ordinary sort; Action of Dogs; their Feet; Loins; dash of Fox-hound gives endurance; cross with Bull hunts with nose too low; Reliefs desirable; best Dog reserved for evening.—[138]. Immense sums spent in 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.