380 UPLAND SHOOTING. 



"to-ho." If he moves Ms head or foot, put it back 

 exactly as it was. He must not even wag his tail. At 

 every sign of movement, check it with the hand, and 

 repeat " to-ho." When he has been perfectly still for 

 a few seconds, say ' i hie on, ' ' and let him take the meat. 

 As he becomes more perfect in the exercise, try him 

 without meat, rewarding his obedience with praise and 

 caresses. Finally, exercise him without the cord; he 

 will be perfect in a few days, but you should watch for 

 opportunities to make him " to-ho " under circumstances 

 of great excitement, such as the presence of strange dogs 

 or of people he does not like. 



Your dog being now thoroughly under control, it is 

 time to acquaint him with game. Take him out in the 

 field, put him through all his lessons, and allow him to 

 run awhile, until his first exuberance at the outing is over. 

 Then take him to a place where you are confident of find- 

 ing birds quail preferably. Let him work at will on the 

 scent until he locates them for himself. He will probably 

 point them; if so, let him stand two or three minutes, 

 checking every symptom of restlessness by the word 

 " to-ho." When you have seen that he is really settled 

 on a steady point, walk up and flush the birds, keeping 

 your eye on him all the while, to check any disposition 

 to move with your advance or at the rise of the birds. 

 Should he move, put him right back in the same place, 

 and settle him again into a rigid position. This putting 

 back into place is of the very greatest importance. Above 

 all, don't shoot, no matter how well he does, until you 

 have seen him steady on several points and flushes. If he 

 seems deficient in pointing instinct, or tries to work in too 

 near, and flushes birds, you must stop him with " to-ho" 

 when you see by his actions that scent is very hot; and in 

 every case stop him for a couple of minutes at all acci- 

 dental flushes. He will soon point staunchly. 



