TRAINING SPORTING Docs. 347 



until you get thoroughly acquainted with his temper, and granting that his temper is not 

 the best, it is probably only high courage, which is the best merit he can have for the 

 breaker. Then, presuming you have a kennel of dogs, attach him to an old one. If your 

 puppy is a dog, put him on with one of the opposite sex, which he will follow with after 

 a little coaxing. The next and greatest in importance is the shooting over him, and by 

 all means be careful at first by snapping a cap. If I have a few puppies, I take them all 

 together, old dogs and all, and when all running loose fire off several caps ; but don't take 

 any notice of your puppies, rather run on with them as though something of importance was 

 on hand. The old dogs will run on, and the young ones taking notice soon join in following 

 their example ; but were you to stand still the old dogs would all drop, and the puppy would 

 very likely stand and look at them, and at last think 'matters are not right here, I shall be 

 off.' At last, when he gets quite courageous, you must begin to teach him to drop to hand 

 before going farther with the shooting, presuming you have added a little powder after they 

 stood the cap trial. Take your pupil out, say after exercise, choosing a fine day and the 

 ground dry, especially if a Pointer. With a thrash cord, say thirty or forty yards, lead him 

 quietly, where no one is likely to be present but yourselves, to an old grass field, and put 

 him down by hand, remain by him and keep him there. Should he rise, put him down again. 

 Then step back, and see if he will remain. Should he advance, return and put him down 

 again, and repeat until he remains at the spot. After a day or two at this, should he not 

 take to it well, and after he knows what is wanted of him, use stronger means by giving 

 a good cut with the whip. Then go to the end of the cord, should he lie till then ; call 

 him up, and if he does this well next time stop him half way. Then, when exercising, put 

 your pupil on with a quiet, steady dog, who will drop well, and make them drop on the 

 couples together. This he will not do at first, but will back off if he could ; but the old dog 

 keeps him steady. Go up to him and drop him, and he will watch the others, when he will 

 soon become as expert as they are. Also use every day, when exercising along the road, 

 your pistol with a little powder, and mind you drop your pupils every time, as by this time 

 you will have got over their shyness, if they had any, so that they must drop to shot now. 

 Should he at any time object to drop when out, next day put the cord on to him, and 

 by a few sharp jerks make him drop at once, also come to your call when you want him, as 

 there is really nothing will make a dog so obedient as the cord, and saves ever so much 

 of the whip. But let the breaker bear in mind he is to do all this teaching by the 

 gentlest means in his power, combined with firmness. Should he have to apply the cord 

 often and sharp, he must speak gently all the time, so that the dog will come at once 

 when told, and not frighten him at his end of the cord. Some are very headstrong to 

 :earn this, but when mastered are the most tractable. Be sure that collar and cord are 

 strong ; as once a dog finds he gets breaking away, he gives double the trouble, and is not to 

 be depended on for a time, as often, when your dog is about half way from you on 

 the cord, he thinks this is a chance to run away. Should your cord break, then you lose 

 the battle. Breaking your pupil perfect in the drop is half the work done, as the dog is under 

 your command then, and is now ready to be taken to a large grass field, or, if you have it, 

 a large piece of dry, marshy ground, where you expect little game. By this time you ought 

 to know thoroughly the temper of your dog, whether you will have to be gentle with, or have 

 to keep a sharp eye on your pupil. Now, supposing he be of the former kind, let him range 

 away at first of his own accord, and should he come across any game take no notice at first, 

 but let him chase it ; it will do him good, as after a few attempts he will see his folly, and it will 



