BREAKING AND HANDLING. 



107 



him from heel, it is not so easy a matter to keep him from 

 running away, therefore it must be applied with a great deal 

 of tact. Just sufficient punishment to drive him from heel 

 is all that is safe to apply. The whip, held threateningly in 

 the hand, will deter him from returning. If left to himself 

 without further interference, he usually trots about in a 

 sulky or surprised manner for a while, then resumes work, 

 the conditions being unfavorable for sulking. No orders 

 should be given him after he is driven from heel till he 

 regains his ordinary manner. There is a probability that if 

 they were given he would bolt. If he is unusually cranky 

 and obstinate, the method given under the head of Turning 

 to Whistle may be advantageously used. 



Obedience to the order, Heel, is easily taught, yet it is 

 necessary to exercise a great deal of judgment as to what 

 period of the training it is best to teach it, such, in many 

 instances, being an important consideration. Dogs which 

 are energetic and eager to hunt at every opportunity may 

 be taught it during the yard breaking. No attempt should 

 be made to teach it to timid, cranky, gunshy or lazy dogs 

 until they are well advanced in training, having outgrown 

 their fears or failings, as the case may be. It is always bet- 

 ter to wait until the dog hassettled to his work with interest 

 and regularity. If the timid, gunshy or cranky dog is 

 taught to remain at heel in obedience to an order, he im- 

 proves on it by coming to heel voluntarily, and no efforts 

 may thereafter induce him to hunt. Under such circum- 

 stances the trainer is powerless. He can do no more than 

 to walk patiently along until time effects a change, or some 

 adventitious circumstances, such as a rabbit starting close 

 by the dog, or the fluttering of a wounded bird, may stim- 

 ulate him to make an effort to kill, whereupon he may 

 range, seeking for more. With such, there is no remedy 

 save time, kindness and favorable opportunities to chase 



