Training a Field Dog 151 



repeated till it seems reasonable that the dog connects the stopping with the 

 word as an order. Then change the ordinary lead for a longer cord and 

 proceed with the walk and the dog at heel. Give the order, accompanied 

 with a wave of the hand, "hie-on," learned in teaching the dog to follow 

 at heel. When he has gone a few strides give him the "to-ho," and if he 

 fails to stop, check him with a sharp tug of the cord, repeating the command 

 sharply. Walk up to him and again send him on, and as before "to-ho" 

 till he stops at the word, when he must at once be rewarded with some little 

 dainty from the pocket, a few words of praise and a little petting. It need 

 hardly be said that in order to permit nothing to distract the dog's attention 

 this and all other lessons should be given when no other person or dog is 

 anywhere near. As soon as he has successfully obeyed the order two or three 

 times give him a free run and then calling him by signal order him to heel. 

 He is now without the check cord and the next lesson is to be given in that 



o 



manner. Again he is ordered on and as before, but at a slightly further dis- 

 tance is "to-hoed." Should he fail to obey he must be called in, rated and 

 made to understand that he has done wrong. Try it again and if he again 

 fails, then apply the check cord and so continue until he has learned the 

 lesson well. This done, go no further for that day, for it is by easy stages 

 only that the desired end can be accomplished. 



The next day's lesson begins with that already learned and the dog at 

 heel is ordered on w'th the accompanying wave of the hand and checked 

 with "to-ho" and there is not likely to be much trouble in getting him to 

 obey. If there is then the cord must be brought into use until he will stop 

 at the word. The next step is to throw a piece of bread or biscuit at the 

 same time ordering "hie-on," although he is very sure to want to go anyway; 

 still it is as well to let him perhaps think he is going because of the order. 

 Before he reaches the object "to-ho" him and if he obeys and stops talk 

 kindly to him, with an occasional "steady" and then another "hie-on" to 

 let him get his reward. Then call him in and pet him with good words. 



Thus far the dog, having been facing from you, has had to obey the 

 word, and now it is in order to teach him the signal which should accompany 

 that word. To do this the order has to be given when the dog is coming 

 toward you on recall to heel or to come in to you. When about ten yards 

 from you give the "to-ho," at the same time raising the hand, palm toward 

 the dog, a little above the level of the head. If he fails to obey and comes 

 to you, he must be spoken to sharply and taken back to the place where 



