BREAKING AND HANDLING. 235 



to, with the forefinger or a slight inclination of the head, or 

 other slight sign that the dog can see, if it has been asso- 

 ciated with the act by proper training, will be obeyed in- 

 stantly; the other dog will be perfectly steady. It is im- 

 portant, in giving a signal after this manner, to catch only 

 the eye of the dog which is to retrieve ; if unfortunately 

 the trainer should catch the eyes of both dogs at the junc- 

 ture when the signal is given, both would certainly bound 

 forward to retrieve, and if not under the nicest control, 

 would not stop until the bird was reached. 



The dogs, when at heel, can be trained to the same de- 

 gree of perfection as in retrieving. Calling one by name 

 is a sufficient order to send him on. This can be taught so 

 thoroughly that the handler can train a dozen or more dogs 

 to remain steadily at heel, and go out, one at a time, as their 

 names are spoken. 



No neglect of any formality in brace work, such as back- 

 ing, retrieving, etc., can be tolerated. If any fault is per- 

 mitted to pass without a reprimand, it rapidly goes from bad 

 to worse, and this loose work will adversely affect the work 

 of his companion. 



By far the best. method of working the dogs in this coun- 

 try, at least where sportsmen are vigorous, all-day hunters, 

 is to work one dog at a time, keeping the other at heel, thus 

 by alternating in the work, uniform effort is maintained 

 throughout the day with less fatigue than if both are worked 

 constantly. In fact, a better average of shooting will be 

 maintained by keeping one fresh dog working constantly, 

 than by two which are run long after they are thoroughly 

 weary. 



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