CH. XIL] CUTS FEW BUT SEVERE. 201 



established usage was departed from solely, because 

 puss was severely struck. 



342. 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 implement 

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

 sciousness of your heel being armed with a spur, will 

 tend to keep him in order. If the 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 

 regard, as a yet severer punishment, his being compelled 

 to follow at your heels for half-an-hour, while the other 

 dogs are allowed the enjoyment of hunting. 



343. Captain W 1, (son of the celebrated shot), was in the 



stubbles in '50 with some friends, who were anxious to see how 

 their own dogs hunted. He, therefore, had his favourite pointer 

 taken up and led by an attendant. This first-rate animal, who is 

 passionately devoted to the sport, struggled so violently to get free, 

 that he actually foamed at the mouth. After a time he was un- 

 coupled ; when, instead of hunting as usual, he raced over the field, 

 quartering his ground most systematically, and designedly springing 

 all the birds. Quite useless was every halloo and threat, whether 

 of voice or whip ; stop he would not, as long as there was a feather 

 in the field. Satisfied then with the mischief he had done, he sat 

 down by the hedge, quietly awaiting any punishment that might be 

 awarded him. His master, however, feeling persuaded that the dog 

 had only acted from the impulse of momentary passion, and with 

 the intention of avenging the unusual indignity to which he had 

 been subjected, merely reproached him for his misconduct, and 

 allowed him to hunt the next field, which he did as steadily as 

 ever. This was somewhat similar to " Captain's" behaviour (492). 



344. Excess of punishment has made many a dog 

 of good promise a confirmed blinker; and of far more 

 has it quenched that keen ardour 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 



