SHOOTING HAKES. 611 



dog to pursue it by running yourself after it. When he 

 gets hold of it, check him if he mauls it, and take it from 

 him as quickly as possible. As I cannot suppose that 

 you are anxious to slaughter every hare you see, let the 

 next two or three go off without a shot. This forbear- 

 ance will re-steady him, and after a while his own saga- 

 city and nose 297 will show him that the established 

 usage was departed from solely because puss was severe- 

 ly struck. 



241. As you wish to flog your dog as little as 

 possible, never go out without your whip, paradoxical 

 as this may appear. The dog's salutary awe of the im- 

 plement which he sees in your possession, like a horse's 

 consciousness of your heel being armed with a spur, will 

 tend to keep him in order. If your dog is a keen ranger, 

 you may much spare the whip by making him crouch 

 at your feet for several minutes after he has committed 

 a fault. The detention will be felt by him, when he is 

 all anxiety to be off hunting, as a severe punishment. 

 If he is a mettlesome, high-couraged animal, he will re- 

 gard as a yet severer punishment his being compelled 

 to folloAV at your heels for half-an-hour, while the othei 

 dogs are allowed the enjoyment of hunting. 



242. Excess of punishment has made many a dog of 

 good promise a confirmed blinker ; and of far more has 

 it quenched that keen ardor for the sport, without 

 which no dog can be first-rate. For this reason, if not 

 from more humane motives, make it a rule to give but 

 ft'\v cuts ; let them, however, be tolerably severe. Your 



