JUDICIOUS PERSEVERANCE.
166. Now, I want you to observe, that had the noise but only occasionally awakened my friend, however much he might then have scolded, the dog would not have given up the habit; he would constantly have entertained the hope that he might endeavour to remove his tiny persecutors unreproved, and the temptation would have outweighed the risk. It would have been inconsistent to have frequently but not always checked him. I know a lady, possessing great perseverance and temper, who has taught even cats many tricks—nay, since the last edition of this book was printed I have heard of several ladies having most successfully educated dogs for the field. A very pleasant girl, Miss G——h, almost a stranger to me, who sat next to me at a large dinner-party about a year ago, asked me in the course of conversation whether I was related to the author of “Dog-Breaking,”—and then greatly gratified me by saying that her sister had broken in several Pointers for her brother, a M.F.H. She spoke of one particular 1st of September, when her sister was rather nervous as a well-known keen sportsman had been invited to shoot, and a young well-bred dog, solely tutored by herself, was to bear his first shot—but at dinner-time she was amply recompensed for all the trouble she had taken by having the delight of learning that her pupil had performed admirably, and had understood and been attentive to every signal. I asked how it was that the youngster was not alarmed at the report of the gun. She replied that it was doubtless attributable to his perfect confidence that he should not be hurt, as he had never undergone any punishing during the whole course of his training.
WIN AFFECTION.
167. Ladies’ pets are a proof that dogs can, as easily as children, be effectually spoiled by injudicious kindness; but canine nature contrasts with infant nature in this, that no petting or spoiling will withdraw a dog’s affection from the individual to whom he first becomes attached in a new home, provided that person continues but decently civil to him. And be this a caution to you. If ever you have a stranger to instruct, let no one but yourself associate with or feed him for many days after his arrival. You may then feel assured of afterwards possessing his unrivalled affections, especially if to you alone he is to be grateful for his enjoyment in the field; and you must win his affection, or he will not strive to his utmost to assist you.
168. A well-known poaching character,—though ostensibly, and by profession, a dog-breaker,—was remarkable for the fondness immediately evinced for him by all dogs placed under his care. He was not particular about his dress; and it at length transpired that it was his custom to make up a bed, for all new comers, in his room, of the clothes he had just taken off. This so habituated the dogs to the scent of his person, by night as well as by day, that they became unwilling to quit it, especially as the man was naturally good-tempered, and always treated them with great kindness.
169. Captain Parry relates of the Esquimaux dogs, that they are far more attached,—from kindnesses received in youth,—to the women, than to the men; and that, consequently, the latter, in all cases of difficulty, are obliged to apply to their wives to catch the almost woolly animals, and coax them to draw unusually heavy loads. The beloved voice of the women will control and animate the dogs to exertion, at a time when the words of the men would be powerless, and their blows only produce irritation or obstinacy.
CHAPTER VI.
FIRST LESSON IN SEPTEMBER COMMENCED. RANGING.