14 "TOHO." "DROP." [CH. ii. 



opinion, in no way commensurate with the incon- 

 venience that often attends the practice. 



24 If you are satisfied with teaching him in a 

 slovenly manner, you can employ your right arm both 

 for the " Toho " and " Drop ; " but that is not quite cor- 

 rect, for the former is a natural stop, (being the pause 

 to determine exactly where the game is lying, pre- 

 paratory to rushing in to seize it,) which you prolong 

 by art,* whilst the other is wholly opposed to nature. 

 The one affords him great delight, especially when, from 

 experience, he has well learned its object : the latter is 

 always irksome. Nevertheless, it must be firmly esta- 

 blished. It is the triumph of your art. It insures 

 future obedience. But it cannot be effectually taught 

 without creating more or less awe, and it should create 

 awe. It is obvious, therefore, that it must be advan- 

 tageous to make a distinction between the two signals, 

 especially with a timid dog, for he will not then be 

 so likely to blink on seeing you raise your right hand, 

 when he is drawing upon game. Nevertheless, there 

 are breakers so unreasonable as not only to make that 

 one signal, but the one word "Drop" (or rather "Down") 

 answer both for the order to point, and the order to 

 crouch ! How can such tuition serve to enlarge a dog's 

 ideas ? 



25. To perfect him in the " Down," that dimcult part 

 of his education, dimcult, because it is unnatural, 

 practise it in your walks. At very uncertain, unex- 

 pected times catch his eye, (having previously stealthily 

 taken hold of the checkcord a long, light one,) or 

 whistle to call his attention, and then hold up your left 



* I know of a young man's cording to the method just recom- 



readmg the first edition of this mended. He succeeded perfectly, 



book, and taking it into his head Some Terriers have been made 



to teach his Terrier to point ac- very useful for cover shooting. 



