100 Modern Breaking 



The simplest way to teach backing is to have 

 the dog which is to be taught range well 

 back of another dog, and so soon as the other 

 dog is on point allow the young dog to gallop 

 toward him without saying a word. To speak 

 is to disconcert the dog, and really encourage 

 him not to back, but to go on. When he stops 

 get to him by approaching from the front. Walk 

 toward him slowly with uplifted hand and speak 

 slowly and kindly to him. Once the breaker 

 gets his hands on him and pushes him about a 

 little, the dog is practically taught this accom- 

 plishment. If, however, he has had plenty of 

 opportunities to back and still refuses, he must 

 be made to "to-ho," behind the pointing dog. If 

 he refuses to stop and goes on to join in the 

 point, he should be dragged back and made to 

 to-ho. After a few lessons of this kind he 

 may be started on slowly toward the pointing 

 dog until he will draw and stiffen to a point. 

 Sometimes a dog gets the habit of rushing in 

 so thoroughly confirmed, that it will be neces- 

 sary to make him drop behind the pointing dog. 

 This of course should be well back and should 

 be continued until the dog shows some interest 

 in the point. Then the breaker should go to 

 him, lift him gently to his feet and "draw" him 

 on until he stiffens. Finally he will come to 

 like to back and will point well behind. But 

 some care is necessary to get a dog out of the 



