Concerning Field Trials and Training 
93 
promptly it will save time, and also prevent making 
a spectacle of vonrself and the dog. The fellow 
who veils and blows and nearly goes into a frenzy 
trying to get his dog to him when ordered held, 
never makes much of an impression; besides his 
antics are apt to rattle the other dog. When 
ordered to release your dog, do not put him down 
directly over the bed that the rabbit has just left. 
Nine times out of ten the scent is much better 
several yards away from the form. That is, after 
the rabbit has really once begun running. Therefore, 
it is best to take the dog up farther ahead and work 
him across the line that the rabbit is supposed to 
have taken. Do all this quietly; it always makes 
a better impression. If the other handler insists 
upon making a noise, let him do so; but by handling 
your dog quietly you are most likely to get quicker 
results. Many is the time that the man doing* the 
most handling in endeavoring to show his dog the 
line is the one who loses out, while the other fellow, 
standing there quietly, allowing his dog to range 
back and forth, is likely to get results; for his dog 
is more apt to strike first. If it does happen that 
the opposing dog picks before yours, get your dog- 
in at once. If he is a good barker he will promptly 
fall in and perhaps if he is the faster of the two he 
will get the real work, even though his competitor 
picked the line. Then handlers should both endeavor 
to keep up as close behind their dogs as possible, 
but not so close as to interfere or crowd them, for 
the rabbit is apt to double back after a short run 
and at this first check both dogs should have free 
play. If handlers, judges and spectators run all 
