536 DOG-BREAKING. 



122. This consideration leads to the remark that, as, 

 by nearly universal consent, " Toho" is the word em- 

 ployed to tell a dog to point, the old rule is clearly a 

 judicious one, never to call him " Ponto," " Sancho," or 

 by any name ending in " o." Always, too, choose one 

 that can be hallooed in a sharp, loud, high key. You 

 will find the advantage of this whenever you lose your 

 dog, and happen not to have a whistle. Observe, also, 

 if you have several dogs, to let their names be dissimilar 

 in sound. 



123. I have suggested your employing the word 

 " Drop" instead of the usual word " Down," because it is 

 less likely to be uttered by any one on whom the dog 

 might jump or fawn ; for, on principle, I strongly object 

 to any order being given which is not strictly enforced. 

 It begets in a dog, as much as in the nobler animal who 

 walks on two legs, habits of inattention to words of 

 command, and ultimately makes greater severity neces- 

 sary. If I felt certain I should never wish to part with 

 a dog I was instructing, I should carry this principle so 

 far as to frame a novel vocabulary, and never use any 

 word I thought he would be likely to hear from others. 

 By the bye, whenever you purchase a dog, it would be 

 advisable to ascertain what words of command and what 

 signals he has been accustomed to. 



