THE DOG. $ 



cording as he is strong and healthy, you should take 

 him into the field with an old staunch dog two or 

 three times, as the latter will give him a notion of 

 hunting, and of ranging and beating his ground; but 

 do not hunt him too severely. Use him to ohey the 

 whistle, or the motion of your hand, in preference to 

 your voice, as the fewer words that are used the bet- 

 ter. A pistol or gun may be frequently fired over 

 him, to make him acquainted and familiar with the 

 report ; for many young dogs, on hearing a gun fired, 

 are so alarmed, that they instantly run home, are with 

 difficulty brought into the field again, and reconciled 

 to it only by practice. But, by this method, you will 

 make him steady on the shot; and when you fire, you 

 should make him sit or lie down, saying, down, shot, 

 and load, or down, cltarge, if you prefer it; nor 

 should he be allowed to stir till you have re-loaded, 

 as most assuredly a dog that breaks away at shot will 

 much injure your diversion, by springing that part 

 of the covey, which, notwithstanding your having 

 fired, is still lying near you; and in the early part of 

 the season this will frequently happen. 



Should your dog, at this period (and it is no un- 

 common occurrence) manifest an inclination to hunt 

 or worry sheep or fowls, the following will be found 

 the best methods to prevent him from pursuing such 

 bad habits : If he be inclined for sheep, tie him to 

 a strong ram, and flog him till he cries out : on which 

 the ram will not fail to commence a violent attack, 

 and will butt the dog with his head most severely, 



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