10 THE DOG; AND HOW TO BREAK HIM. 



back " may be used^ as well as tlie wliistle ; and 

 in a short time the latter alone ^vill be fomid suffi- 

 cient. This lesson should be a daily one^ when 

 practicable^ until the whistle is obeyed with 

 alacrity. Some whelps are so timid that the sight 

 even of the whip inspires them with too great 

 terror, in which case they should be taken out 

 when hungry_, and rewarded with food when called 

 to heelj instead of being threatened with the 

 whip. Eewarding a dog is not a method to be re- 

 commended when it can be avoided_, as it has a 

 tendency to make the dog less eager to range 

 than when fear_, and not reward, induces him to 

 come to his master^s heel, and it will make him 

 careless of his business in pursuit of game. 



When the whistle to heel is readily obeyed, as 

 the dog is returning he should be taught to 

 crouch, or drop, on holding up the hand and call- 

 ing " Down,'' and compelled to remain in tliJit 

 position until told to ^^ Hold upT This lesson 

 must be strictly enforced, it being one of the 

 greatest importance ; but it will not be difficult to 

 teach to the whelps, provided the old dog be per- 

 fect in it, example having a wonderful effect in a 

 dog's education. On no account suffer the whelps 

 to move from the crouching position until desired; 

 and by degrees compel them to drop, on holding 

 up the hand, without being spoken to : rating a 



