356 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. 



continued, because it interferes with the spirit, and will render 

 him disinclined to exert himself with that fiery courage which 

 is requisite for success. The slipping-work is effected by the 

 aid of an assistant, who leads the greyhounds off in one direc- 

 tion, while the trainer walks to another point ; and when half a 

 mile apart or thereabouts the dogs are let loose, one after another, 

 the trainer whistling and shouting to them, so as to excite them 

 to their highest speed. The assistant should be a stranger to 

 them, and it is better to buckle a stirrup - leather round his 

 waist with the noose at the end of each leading-strap inserted, 

 so that he may have both his hands at liberty to unbuckle the 

 collars in succession. If there is a gently sloping valley com- 

 posed of ground similar to that over which the public coursing 

 is to take place, it is better to select it, as the dog then sees 

 his trainer plainly, and also finishes up-hill, which is of great 

 service in "opening the pipes." By means of these two kinds 

 of work properly proportioned, and taking care not to overdo 

 them, the dog is at last rendered equal to any ordinary amount 

 of exertion; but, in hardy animals which are allowed to eat 

 as much as they like, the work which would reduce them 

 sufficiently would make them stale in their joints, and dull in 

 spirit, so that it is found necessary to call in the aid of physic 

 and a reduction of food. 



The physic proper for a dog in training should be of such 

 a nature as simply to cause an increase of his secretions, with- 

 out rendering him liable to catch cold. Hence, mercury should 

 be carefully avoided; and jalap, salts, or aloes, will be found 

 to be the best. Some people use emetics, but these do not 

 reduee the weight of the dog, and they are solely useful in 

 giving tone to the stomach, which they certainly appear to do. 

 Even within two or three days of running, they are often given,. 



