Training and Care 123 



and practises them with a cord in the field until 

 they obey without question. The order generally 

 consists of some definite word, such as " whoa," 

 accompanied with the straight holding up of the 

 hand. In this way backing can afterwards be 

 quickly taught in actual work ; the whistle sig- 

 nal to stop being accompanied with the hand 

 command. 



Dealing with a timid or gun-shy dog is a neces- 

 sary part of the art. It is a fact that a great 

 many of the very cleverest dogs, both pointers 

 and setters, are at first gun-shy. The usual 

 method of treatment is to fire small pistol loads 

 around the yard until the dog ceases to pay 

 attention. Some trainers use the pistol when- 

 ever the dogs are called out to feed. Making 

 this a regular practice, young dogs are supposed 

 to associate feeding with the noise and do not 

 require any special lessons. 



Modern training does not expect a dog to 

 " charge " or lie down to shot or wing. The idea 

 is that the dog handles his work better if he is 

 permitted to observe where the birds go. This, 

 however, is a matter of taste and some owners 

 still wish their dogs to charge. 



In nearly all American country there is a great 

 deal of early annoyance on account of rabbits. 

 Many dogs cease of their own accord to pay 

 much attention to rabbits after a few birds have 



