British Dogs at Work 



a recumbent position while you retire for 

 some distance. With this lesson mastered 

 he may be accustomed to the discharge of 

 a gun and taught to "down charge" im- 

 mediately he hears the report. He should 

 also be made to understand that the holding 

 up of a hand has the same significance, and 

 when he knows this thoroughly you may 

 give him a trial on birds. His inherited 

 instinct will probably induce him to point 

 when the scent reaches him, but if he shows 

 a tendency to run in check him with the 

 word " toho," or tell him to steady. Should 

 he persist in being unsteady order him 

 peremptorily to "down charge," and en- 

 deavour to make plain to him the meaning 

 of "toho." An old dog will be useful at 

 this stage, and the young one must then 

 be shown what it is to "back," while his 

 companion makes a point. A long cord 

 may be necessary to emphasise this lesson 

 and prevent him running in to the birds. 



Next, it is essential that he should learn how 



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