Training a Field Dog 149 



connected with field work, but in the case of setters and pointers it is essential 

 that the dog on chain should keep slightly behind his leader. While 

 making him take and keep that position, by switching him on the nose 

 whenever he attempts to get ahead, and using the word "heel," he will 

 become accustomed to that word of usual command for a dog to take up that 

 position and not have to learn anything new. 



It must be borne in mind that a dog associates a certain sound as con- 

 nected with a certain action. "Heel" is to him nothing but a sound, and 

 a dog used to obey that command will do so equally well if "feel" or " deal" 

 is shouted to him. This is a point that must also be noted in the selection 

 of words of command which should be thoroughly distinct so that the dog 

 will not have to seek for some action to distinguish what is meant. For 

 instance some recommend that in addition to the long established "to-ho" 

 as a command to stop, that for going on should be "go on." 



One man gives his particular rendering of these two words, and another 

 person taking the dog out might make his "go on" very much of a "to-ho" 

 and confuse the dog, so that the words " hie on, " being clearly distinct, are 

 much better and they are in common use. It is almost unnecessary to add 

 that but one phrase only should be used for any one command, for it is not 

 the words that convey the order, that is the meaning of the words such as 

 they are to us, but merely the sound. 



Presuming that the owner has a puppy of from six to eight months 

 old which he finds to be intelligent and willing, and prompt in obeying 

 orders such as all dogs have to obey, and is desirous of training him for 

 use with the gun, it is necessary to go to work with system, and unless the 

 trainer is possessed of a great deal of patience and is willing to undertake 

 the compelling the dog to do what he is ordered to do without in anyway 

 getting out of temper, he had better not attempt it. It frequently arises 

 that a bold, heady dog is averse to doing exactly what is wanted and in the 

 way it must be done. In order to assert the trainer's absolute supremacy 

 the dog must be made to submit. If once the dog succeeds in defying the 

 trainer and having his own way there is always the danger of that happening 

 again, and the dog must never be allowed to even imagine he has succeeded 

 in defying his master. Herein lies the secret of successful training, and 

 while a dog undoubtedly takes great pleasure in his work, there must ever 

 be with him the knowledge that he is doing it as he has been made to do it 

 and must conform to order. 



