human
DROP. --
gpt
DOWN CHARGE.
human
Drop, when so holding up the left hand, and press him down with the other until he assumes a crouching position. If you study beauty of attitude, his fore-legs ought to be extended, and his head rest between them. Make him lie well down, occasionally walking round and round him, gradually increasing the size of the circle--your eyes on his. Do not let him raise himself to a sitting posture. If you do, he will have the greater inclination hereafter to move about: _especially when you want to catch him, in order to chide or correct him_. A halt is all you require for the
gpt
Toho, and you would prefer his standing to his point, rather than his lying down,[6] as you then would run less risk of losing sight of him in cover, heather, or high turnips, &c. Setters, however, naturally crouch so much more than Pointers, that you will often not be able to prevent their
human
when they are close to game. Indeed, I have heard some sportsmen argue in favour of a dog's dropping,
gpt
Toho and
human
Drop; but that is not quite correct, for the former is a natural stop, (being the pause to determine exactly where the game is lying, preparatory to rushing in to seize it,) which you prolong by art,[7] whilst the other is wholly opposed to nature. The one affords him great delight, especially when, from experience, he has well learned its object: the latter is always irksome. Nevertheless, it must be firmly established. It is the triumph of your art. It insures future obedience. But it cannot be effectually taught without creating more or less awe, and it should create awe. It is obvious, therefore, that it must be advantageous to make a distinction between the two signals,--especially with a timid dog,--for he will not then be so likely to blink on seeing you raise your right hand, when he is drawing upon game. Nevertheless, there are breakers so unreasonable as not only to make that one signal, but the one word
gpt
Drop (or rather
human
Down
gpt
Down, that difficult part of his education,--difficult, because it is unnatural,--practise it in your walks. At very uncertain, unexpected times catch his eye, (having previously stealthily taken hold of the checkcord--a long, light one,) or whistle to call his attention, and then hold up your left arm. If he does not _instantly_ drop, jerk the checkcord violently, and, as before, drag him back to the exact spot where he should have crouched down. Admit of no compromise. You must have _implicit, unhesitating, instant_, obedience. When you quit him, he must not be allowed to crawl _an inch_ after you. If he attempt it, drive a spike into the ground, and attach the end of the checkcord to it, allowing the line to be slack; then leave him quickly, and on his running after you he will be brought up with a sudden jerk. So much the better: it will slightly alarm him. As before, take him back to the precise place he quitted,--do this invariably, though he may have scarcely moved. There make him again
human
Drop