630 DOG-BREAKING. 



a stranger. To prevent mistakes, each dog's name 

 might be marked on his own whistle. You might 

 have two whistles, of very different sound, on one 

 short stock. Indeed, one whistle would be sufficient 

 for two dogs, if you invariably sounded the same two 

 or three sharp short notes for one dog, and as in- 

 variably gave a sustained note for the other. Nay, 

 the calls could thus be so diversified, that one whistle 

 might be used for even more than two dogs. 



But whatever whistle you choose to employ, be 

 sure, both in and out of the field, to sound it softly 

 whenever the dog is near you. Indeed, you would 

 act judiciously to make it a constant rule, wherever 

 he may be, never to whistle louder than is really re- 

 quisite-) otherwise as I think I before remarked he 

 will, comparatively speaking, pay little attention to 

 its summons, when, being at a distance, he hears it 

 but faintly. 



TO BACK THE GUN. 



276. In shooting, especially late in the season, you 

 will often mark down a bird, and feel assured that 

 you stand a better chance of getting a shot at it if 

 the dogs cease hunting whilst you approach it. You 

 can teach your dog to do this by holding up your 

 right hand behind you when you mark down a bird, 

 saying at the same time, " Toho," in an earnest, quiet 

 voice, and carrying your gun as if you were prepared 

 to shoot. He will soon begin, I really must say it 



