78 LEWISES AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



ward wave of the hand, thus in this instance teaching obedience to 

 two commands at the same time. We do not combine commands 

 and signals in other cases, because in them we impose restraint, and 

 the orders should therefore be as simple as possible ; but in this the 

 dog's inclination prompts his understanding, and thus time can be 

 saved. 



CHARGING. 



We now take the dog by our side, and with the command " drop," 

 force him down by pressure upon the shoulders. This word is better 

 than the more common ones " charge" and " down," because a com- 

 mand should never be given except for the purpose of exacting a 

 certain action, and this too by those authorized to demand it. It is 

 a very common practice with persons who do not know the harm 

 they do to give a friend's dog orders for their amusement, and as he 

 naturally does not obey a stranger, he thus in some degree becomes 

 indifferent to commands, but if broken to words and signals not in 

 common use, the sanctity of the true order is preserved and less 

 injury done to him. 



The position in which the dog drops in the first few lessons is not 

 material, provided it is not upon the side, in which case he should 

 be gently turned upon his belly. Later, if he does not take a natural 

 posture, the hind legs must be tucked under him and the front ex- 

 tended. He will generally, however, correct all defects himself 

 after the first fear is past. He must be pushed down till he will 

 drop promptly, then worked at a distance, gradually increased, but 

 always within easy hearing of the voice till perfect. 



The command to rise is " up," accompanied by an upward wave 

 of the hand, the two being combined for reasons similar to those 

 given for the order " on." 



The signal to drop is given by a down wave of the hand, and 

 should not be used till the dog obeys the word unhesitatingly, the 

 word and signal being combined till the dog understands that both 

 have the same meaning. 



Under ordinary circumstances the dog when dropped may be al- 

 lowed to hold his head up, but this is sometimes injurious to sport, 



