152 The Dog Book 
he should have stopped, turned facing you and scolded. Back away from 
him, holding the hand raised, with the admonition “to-ho” till you have got 
to your old position. Then call him in and check him again before he 
reaches you. On no account must this or any other lesson be discontinued 
till the dog has done what is wanted. Either the dog or you is to be master, 
and unless he is made to obey he will never acknowledge you as his complete 
master, but whenever so inclined will do or not as he pleases. Observe 
that as soon as the dog stops the hand should be lowered. That is an accom- 
paniment of the vocal order and the order is not repeated if the dog stops. 
As the dog becomes accustomed to the voice and sign as being the same 
order he will next be advanced to obeying the sign without the word. 
Far too many amateur trainers are prone to continual ordering until 
the ordeal must worry the dog, hence use discretion in the training, teach 
the dog what you are then doing till he does it, after which gradually restrict 
the orders, as long as he obeys them, until they are used only when required. 
It was formerly the custom to almost replace the “to-ho” with the 
“down charge,” the dog dropping prone in his tracks, but that has fallen 
more or less into disuse. It is true that a dog couched is not so apt to break 
to shot or wing as a beginner standing and in a better position to spring for- 
ward, but that is something the dog must be broken from, and if a dog gets 
too much of the down charge education and drops at commands or signals 
meant for “to-ho” only, it is not so easy to locate the dog or to see what 
he is doing if there are weeds or brush where he is. It is something he 
should be taught, however, as it comes in useful when it is desirable to have 
the dog get out of sight or to remain down and quite near the shooter in a 
blind. It was really an order called for by the old time, slow loading-gun, 
but with the modern breechloader and filled cartridges there is not the 
necessity to hold dogs up and keep them quiet that existed formerly. Still 
it is useful at times, is easily taught and as it is frequently needed when 
silence is desirable, it is well to have it thoroughly learned by signal. 
“Down” is sufficient word of command and means what you want, 
while “charge” is arbitrary in this meaning. When the dog is perfect in 
the “‘to-ho,” give him that command when coming to you and but a few 
paces from you. Walk to him and placing the hand on the shoulders, 
push him down, with the command “Down.” Step back and if he attempts 
to rise repeat the order sharply and again push him down, giving him a 
Tap with your finger on his nose as you repeat the order. When he has 
