152 The Dog Book 



he should have stopped, turned facing you and scolded. Back away from 

 him, holding the hand raised, with the admonition "to-ho" till you have got 

 to your old position. Then call him in and check him again before he 

 reaches you. On no account must this or any other lesson be discontinued 

 till the dog has done what is wanted. Either the dog or you is to be master, 

 and unless he is made to obey he will never acknowledge you as his complete 

 master, but whenever so inclined will do or not as he pleases. Observe 

 that as soon as the dog stops the hand should be lowered. That is an accom- 

 paniment of the vocal order and the order is not repeated if the dog stops. 

 As the dog becomes accustomed to the voice and sign as being the same 

 order he will next be advanced to obeying the sign without the word. 



Far too many amateur trainers are prone to continual ordering until 

 the ordeal must worry the dog, hence use discretion in the training, teach 

 the dog what you are then doing till he does it, after which gradually restrict 

 the orders, as long as he obeys them, until they are used only when required. 



It was formerly the custom to almost replace the "to-ho" with the 

 "down charge," the dog dropping prone in his tracks, but that has fallen 

 more or less into disuse. It is true that a dog couched is not so apt to break 

 to shot or wing as a beginner standing and in a better position to spring for- 

 ward, but that is something the dog must be broken from, and if a dog gets 

 too much of the down charge education and drops at commands or signals 

 meant for "to-ho" only, it is not so easy to locate the dog or to see what 

 he is doing if there are weeds or brush where he is. It is something he 

 should be taught, however, as it comes in useful when it is desirable to have 

 the dog get out of sight or to remain down and quite near the shooter in a 

 blind. It was really an order called for by the old time, slow loading-gun, 

 but with the modern breechloader and filled cartridges there is not the 

 necessity to hold dogs up and keep them quiet that existed formerly. Still 

 it is useful at times, is easily taught and as it is frequently needed when 

 silence is desirable, it is well to have it thoroughly learned by signal. 



"Down" is sufficient word of command and means what you want, 

 while "charge" is arbitrary in this meaning. When the dog is perfect in 

 the "to-ho," give him that command when coming to you and but a few 

 paces from you. Walk to him and placing the hand on the shoulders, 

 push him down, with the command " Down." Step back and if he attempts 

 to rise repeat the order sharply and again push him down, giving him a 

 rap with your finger on his nose as you repeat the order. When he has 



