CH. in.] ACCUSTOMED TO COUPLES. 29 



run over the taint of a wounded bird, instead of col- 

 lectedly and perseverinoiy working out the scent. You 

 can throw a bit of toast and make them " Toho " it, and 

 then let the dog you name take it. In the same way 

 you can let each alternately search for a hidden piece, 

 after both have come up to you, on your saying "Dead." 

 I would also advise you to accustom each dog to " drop," 

 without any command from you-, the moment he sees 

 that the other is down. 



50. Those lessons will almost ensure their hereafter 

 instantly obeying, and nearly instantly comprehending 

 the object of the signal to " back " any dog which may 

 be pointing game. 



51. When you take out two youngsters for exercise, 

 while they are romping about, suddenly call one into 

 " heel." After a time again send him off on his gambols. 

 Whistle to catch the eye of the other, and signal to him 

 to join you. By working them thus alternately, while 

 they are fresh and full of spirits, you will habituate 

 them to implicit obedience. When the birds are wild, 

 and you are anxious to send a basket of game to a 

 friend, it is very satisfactory to be able merely by a 

 sign, without uttering a word, to bring the other dogs 

 into " heel," leaving the ground to the careful favourite. 

 Teach the present lesson well, and you go far towards 

 attaining the desired result. 



52. I trust you will not object to the minutiae of these 

 initiatory lessons, and fancy you have not time to attend 

 to them. By teaching them well, you will gain time, 

 much time, and the time that is of most value to you 

 as a sportsman ; for when your dog is regularly hunting 

 to your gun, his every faculty ought to be solely devoted 

 to finding birds, and his undisturbed intellects exclu- 

 sively given to aid you in bagging . them, instead of 



