BREAKING AND HANDLING. Ill 



the same part when used, the shoulder being preferable. 

 The dog soon learns that a touch on the shoulder is an 

 order of itself; if so applied invariably, and instant obedi- 

 ence required, he can be taught to drop at a slight touch. 

 This method is particularly useful in teaching dropping to 

 wing and shot. Using the whip promiscuously and harshly 

 always, naturally prompts the dog to run away if he pos- 

 sibly can do so; besides, it is more unskillful, troublesome 

 and inefficacious than in following a systematic course 

 which has every detail properly associated with the required 

 act of obedience. 



After he has a fair comprehension of the order, he may 

 be then drilled in dropping to signal, the right or left hand 

 raised being the signal in common use. This signal should 

 be used for a longer or shorter time with the order. Grad- 

 ually, as the dog becomes obedient, the order may be used 

 less and less ; at last the signal alone will be sufficient. 

 The trainer should always take pains to stand a little in 

 front of the dog, so that he can readily see the signal ; and 

 if he has been taught to drop to a tap of the whip on the 

 shoulder, it will materially assist to teach obedience quickly, 

 easily and perfectly. When the dog is fairly well trained, 

 instant obedience should be exacted. If, at the signal, the 

 dog does not drop on the instant, the whip should follow 

 immediately ; however, always be sure that the dog sees the 

 signal. 



Such is the method of teaching any dog of average dispo- 

 sition. But if the dog is obstinate or sour, the punishment 

 may be applied more liberally, due regard always being paid 

 to the purposes of the training. It is necessary to teach the 

 order very thoroughly, as it is in constant use in field work 

 while training and hunting. 



Hold up. As soon as the dog is fairly obedient to the 

 order Drop, he may be taught obedience to the order Hold 



