Practical dog training

Front matter

/33

Forest and Stream Books.

Antelope and Deer of America, By John Dean

Contents

First Lessons, 8

Charge, i8

Canine Accomplishments, - - - - 27

I. First Lessons

NEARLY all writers upon the subject of dog training appear to think that there is but one course to pursue; that all knowledge that is not beaten into a dog is worthless for all practical purposes, and that the whip, check-cord and spikecollar, with perhaps an occasional charge of shot or a vigorous dose of shoe leather, are absolutely necessary in order to perfect his education.

It may appear presumptuous for us to advocate a departure from the beaten path, but as we have had some little experience during the past thirty years, and as many sportsmen who should be good authority have seen our dogs at work, and have without exception united in praise of the manner in which they acquit themselves in the field, we have thought that perhaps a description of our method of training might prove interesting. It will at least be so to the lo Ti^airmig vs. Breaking.

new beginner. The main object that we have in view is the amelioration of the present condition of "man's best friend;" and should the perusal of these lines cause even one reader to follow the course here marked out, we shall feel amply repaid for our labor.

We have ever been possessed of a great love deep down in the heart for our canine pets, and this love is the mainspring that governs all our actions toward them. We do not wish to be understood as meaning that we never use the whip, for we believe with the wise king of old that the rod should not be spared when it is needed. What we do mean is this: There is no dog worth the raising — we are speaking of pointers and setters — that cannot and will not learn all that it is necessary for him to know, without a single blow being struck, or a single harsh word being spoken. We are very well aware that this humane course will entail a little more labor, and that a vast deal more patience is required than when dependence is placed upon the whip and boot-heel to enforce your commands, but the intelligent and cheerful manner in which your pet obeys your slightest word or motion will much more than compensate you for the extra time that you have devoted to his education. There is nothing that so mars our enjoyment when in the field as to see the cringing form of a noble animal cowering in fear of a whipping, which nine times out of ten he does not deserve half so much as his master.

We do not claijn absolute perfection for our system, nor that one can by adopting it invariably sue-

First Lessons. ii

ceed in turning out a well-trained, well-behaved dog, for we know that with dogs as with men we often find one who, for lack of brains, will never amount to much, no matter what pains we take with him.

In selecting a puppy there are many things to be taken into consideration. In the first place we must be sure that both sire and dam are first-class field performers. This we consider of the utmost importance. They must also be possessed of endurance, and must be reasonably intelligent. The more ancestors of this type our puppy can boast the better will he suit us. He must also have life and ambition; indeed, we care not how high-strung he is, for although he may not submit to restraint quite so readily as his sleepy brother, yet when we once have him under subjection, he will not only mind more quickly, but he will do his work better, and much more of it. Of course he must be well formed, and we should like him to be of good color and coat; but these last are not indispensable, as we much prefer good performance to good looks.

Having selected our puppy, we will take him home when he is six to eight weeks old, and at once begin his education. Many writers will tell you that your dog should be much older before you begin to instill into his mind even the rudiments of knowledge. If you are going to pursue their system of instruction, we should advise you by all means to put off the evil day as long as possible; but if you are to follow our plan, begin at once; not a moment is to be lost. In the first place you must secure his affection and entire confidence. This will be the first lesson, and nothing more should be attempted until you have completely won his heart and taught him to place the utmost confidence in you. At this tender age his mind is easily impressed, and will long retain the ideas then formed; and it will take but a few days to teach him to love you with all his heart. If possible, give him a good roomy pen on the ground, with a warm, well-sheltered house or box in which to lie. Do not forget that he will bs very lonesome for a few days, and therefore glad to see you often; and you cannot better employ your time than in paying him a visit every half hour for the first day or two. Always, when you go to see him, have a bit of something for him to eat that he will relish. As you approach the pen you should invariably blow upon your whistle the note that you intend to use to call him in. We sound a long note for this purpose, beginning loud and gradually dying away. This, with a short, sharp note to attract attention, is all the signal we ever sound upon the whistle; the last we do not use until his education is further advanced. By associating this long note with something good to eat, it will soon become fixed in his mind that when he hears it he must run to you as fast as he can. We much prefer to have two puppies, for it takes no more time to teach them both than it does to teach one, as they will learn from each other; and if one is inclined to be dilatory we withhold his reward, and he, seeing the other one enjoying his customary allowance while he is himself deprived of his share.

First Lessons, 13

at once comprehends the true reason, and will be on hand the next time.

Do not fail to abundantly caress him and speak kindly words, and never under any circumstances, no matter what the provocation, allow yourself to scold or strike him, as this is entirely at variance with our system, and is sure to result in the defeat of our plans. Should he jump upon you with his dirty feet, or tear your clothes with his sharp teeth, do not get angry and cuff him, but gently yet firmly place him upon the ground or unclasp his jaws from your garments, consoling yourself with the thought that in a short time you will have him so well in hand that he will know better than to commit these faults. Be very gentle with him at all times; carefully study his disposition, and learn all of his ways, that you may the more readily understand just how to manage him. You should be in perfect sympathy with him and humor all his whims and notions, and endeavor to teach him that you truly love him. In a short time you will find that this love will be returned ten fold, and that he is ever anxiously watching for your coming, and never so happy as when in your presence and enjoying your caresses.

After a few days you may begin to train him; but do not be in a hurry about it, as nothing is gained by haste. Be very careful now, and do not ruin all by an undue haste; go very slow, carefully feel your way, and, above all things, exercise an unwearied patience; and if at any time you find the strain upon your nerves growing a little too tense, leave him at

14 Training vs. Breaki7ig.

once and wait until you are perfectly calm before resuming the lesson.

There is one thing, of the utmost importance, that we wish to particularly impress upon your mind before we go any further. Do not allow yourself, under any circumstances, to speak to your pupil in anything but your ordinary tone of voice. There is nothing more annoying when out shooting than to have a companion continually yelling at the top of his voice at his dog, and generally without any effect. Such yelling is worse than useless, for if your dog is properly trained in the first place, he will readily mind your lightest word. For your own comfort, then, and for the pleasure of whoever may accompany you upon your shooting excursions, use nothing but gentle tones when you issue your commands. When this very disagreeable habit of shouting is once commenced, you will soon find that a still louder tone is demanded; and had you the lungs of a Stentor, it will not be long before your resources will be exhausted, and you will vainly sigh for thunder tones to voice your words of command.

The first thing that we endeavor to teach a puppy, after we obtain his love and confidence, is to stop at the words To-ho. This is a very important point, and comparatively easy to teach him. He should be very hungry when you commence these first lessons, as his eagerness for the food will cause him to pay you close attention; and when he understands that as soon as he performs his task his reward is sure, and that he cannot have it before, he

First Lessons. 15

will anxiously strive to do whatever you may require of him. You should begin by giving him a taste of a piece of meat; then secure a firm hold upon his collar, and place a small piece upon the ground in front of him. He will struggle with all his strength to get at it, but hold him steadily, and do not say a word unt 1 he becomes partially quiet; then move his nose a little nearer, and, in your ordinary tone of voice, say To-ho, with a falling accent upon the last syllable. Do not repeat the words just yet, and when you do, be very careful that your voice is not strained and unnatural. We always accompany this word with the right hand raised warningly, for it may often happen that we wish our dog to come to a halt at some distance from us, and by accustoming him to the gesture he will soon learn to stop as far as he can see you. Most sportsmen use this signal to make their dogs charge, but, as we shall show further on, when we come to it, the other plan is much better. After a few seconds the dog will become more quiet, and you can repeat the words. Now carefully watch him, and as scon as his attention is fixed upon the meat, and he looks at it steadily for a second, release your hold and cluck to him as a signal that he can now have it, and at once praise and pet him, and give him to understand that he has done something wonderful, and that you are pleased with him. We should have stated before that, from the first, whenever you place his food before him you should always cluck to him, as he will thus learn the meaning of the sound, and understand when he hears it that all restraint is removed.

After the first trial do not try him again until the next time that you feed him; for should you force him he may grow weary and fail to respond with that cheerfulness and akcrity that are so pleasing to see. You must be very careful that he does not get the meat until you give him permission, for he must understand that you mean business every time, and that he cannot have it until he becomes perfectly quiet and hears your signal. After a few lessons of this kind, if you have managed right, you will be surprised to see the improvement that he will make and the zest with which he will enter into the spirit of it. You can soon leave him free, and he will readily point at the word; and with proper care he will soon learn to point when the meat is thrown to quite a distance from him. Of course you will understand that the distance must be increased very gradually, and implicit obedience exacted every time. Should he move so much as one step after you give him the word, you must instantly place him as near as may be in his former position, at the same time repeating the word; and this must be done gently yet firmly until he becomes steadfast. Too much importance cannot be attached to this; indeed, it is the groundwork of our whole system; and unless you thoroughly instill into his mind the knowledge that you mean just what you say, and must be obeyed to the very letter, and that he cannot vary the fraction of an inch from the rule that you have laid down, it will not be of any use to continue further, for under

First Lessons. 17

our system — or any other — it will be utterly impossible to turn out a well-trained animal unless we strictly adhere to this rule and exact implicit obedience every time.

After he once understands that he must mind, your task is half accomplished; the rest is comparatively easy, and you will indeed find it a labor of love to perfect his education.

In giving these first lessons do not remove him from his pen, as new surroundings will serve to distract his attention from the business on hand, and your task will be all the harder; indeed, it is much better to avoid all training outside of the pen until your pupil is well established in what you have taught him. Should it not be convenient to have a pen for him, a good-sized room or any inclosure that he cannot get out of, will answer for training purposes. Do not allow any spectators in these first lessons, as you want his undivided attention. We know that there is great satisfaction in showing off the little fellow's accomplishments to one's friends; but until you are quite sure that he will obey when strangers are near, it is much better to practice him alone than to have him "go back on you" before folks, where you might feel a little delicacy about enforcing your commands.

II. Charge!

WE will take it for granted that, after a week or two of daily practice, our pupil has so far advanced in his education as to be reasonably proficient in his performance at To-ho, and we will now take another step and try him with something new, and endeavor to teach him the meaning of the word charge. As this word is in constant use among sportsmen the world over, we always teach our dogs its meaning; but for our own use we greatly prefer a low-breathed Sh! It is just as effective and far more quiet, especially when you take your dog into company; for instead of attracting the attention of every one in the room by commanding him to charge, you can give him this signal, and scarcely one even of those nearest you will notice it. We have used this for more than twenty years, and can heartily recommend it. Most persons train their dogs to charge at the upraised hand. We do not quite like this, and have never adopted the custom, for it very seldom occurs that you wish your dog to drop at any great

Charge / i 9

distance from you; but should you from any cause wish your dog to remain quiet when he is at a distance, how much better it is to teach him to come to a full stop at the raising of your hand, and remain upon his feet where he can see you and be ready to obey your next signal. Even at the discharge of the gun or rise of the bird, we greatly prefer that the dog, instead of charging, should instantly stop and stand up, where he can readily see what is going on. There are many arguments in favor of this course that we will not mention until we get further on.

We will now take our pupil in hand and see if we can teach him to "charge." Place one hand upon his shoulders and neck and the other upon his hips, and gently yet firmly force him to a recumbent position, at the same time repeat the charge, prefaced with the low Sh! Do not forget to use only your natural tone, at the same time the word must be spoken in a decided way that cannot be mistaken for entreaty instead of command. This word must not be spoken more than once, and given with a falling inflection; keep him in position until he ceases struggling and his muscles relax. After a second or two, if he remains quiet, remove your hands and allow him to get up. By using the words "hold up" or "get up" in this connection, he will soon learn their meaning; but do not do this until he appears to understand what you want of him; and on no account, no matter how long the struggle continues, should you repeat the word, nor let up on him one particle, for everything depends on first impressions, and as soon as your pupil finds Ihat his struggles to escape avail him nothing, and that, relentless as fate, you are bound to conquer and accomplish your purpose, he will at each successive lesson be more willing to yield. To this persistent painstaking and unwearied perseverance in sticking to our point until our object is accomplished do we owe much of our success in training.

We must again repeat that all this time you must keep perfectly cool, and must suffer no sign to escape any of anger or impatience; for if you cannot control your temper you are not the one to train a dog, and had better resort to the breaking process at once.

Great care should be taken to place the puppy in a natural position. When you force him down see that his hindlegs are squarely under his body and his forelegs advanced well in front, with the head resting between or upon them, and always insist upon this position.

In the first lessons it is not necessary to keep him in position more than a second or two, but be very careful that he understands that you are to be the judge of the proper time when he may get up. As he grows older the time can be very gradually extended, according to his disposition. Should he be very nervous and excitable, great care must be had that he does not get heart-broken with unnecessary and long-continued restraint.

Do not expect that he will at once become perfect in anything that you may teach him, but possess

Charge / 21

your soul in patience, and allow and encourage him to act out his puppy ways and to play and frolic to his heart's content, always excepting, of course, the few moments that you devote to his lessons. Above a!l things, carefully refrain from anything that looks like restraint in your ordinary intercourse with him, and endeavor to instill into his mind that you are his loving friend, and that nothing suits you better than to see him thoroughly enjoy himself. We have found by experience that dogs are very much like men in some respects. They both are possessed of a superabundance of steam that must have vent somehow, and it is much better for your pupil to get rid of the surplus while he is of too tender an age to work any harm, than to bottle it up for escape in the future, when added years and knowledge are very prone to turn the current into dangerous channels. How much better it is to allow your boy to chase the gaudy butterfly and to encourage him to renewed efforts and let him learn for himself that, even if he is successful in securing the object of his desire, the chase is futile, and will not pay for bruised and tired limbs and soiled and torn clothes — how much better this than to keep him unwilling at your side, with his young heart almost bursting to essay the trial, and sowing the seed that in a few years will ripen and cause him at the first opportune moment to break, not for butterflies now, but in a wild chase for forbidden pleasures that the restraints of his childhood make doubly dear. Do not think that we are moralizing; we are only illustrating. Therefore, when your pupil gives chase to the ''butterflies of youth," do not check him, but rather urge him on, that he may the sooner discover the fallacy of the pursuit. In the meantime console yourself with the thought that he is working off his surplus steam, and will all the sooner settle down to the real duties of life and do you no discredit by wild escapades in his mature years.

There is one thing that we consider of paramount importance — our puppy must staunchly point when he is from six to ten weeks old. If he will not do this naturally and of his own free will, quickly dispose of him to some one who is not so particular, and try again. Although his breeding may be of the best, and the chances in favor of his pointing in the future, still there are so many elements of chance in raising up dogs that we should strive to eliminate at least all the doubtful ones. We have yet to see the dog that would make a gamy point at this tender age that would not fulfill the promise in his riper years; while "the woods are full" of those that, having passed their youth without displaying this *'heaven-born gift," still make no sign. It is not necessary that he should be tried on game birds — although this is desirable — but any bird will answer the purpose; a fowl or chicken will do first-rate, or almost anything that will attract his attention so that he will make a staunch point. Do not force this upon him, but merely give him a chance to discover the bird or chicken himself, and if he has this instinct planted within him you may depend upon his show-

Charge! 23

ing it. Many puppies who will staunchly point at this age may, perhaps, a few weeks or months later, show no sign; give yourself no uneasiness on this account, for you know that the instinct is there, and, although it may be dormant for a while, you caa rest secure that it will return in proper season.

Do not forget during all your lessons, and while at play with him, to pet and fondle him; but do not allow him to jump upon you at any time. Whenever he does this you should at once firmly remove him, and he will soon learn that this will not do. You should also talk to him — not baby talk — but use intelligent, rational language, just such as you would use in talking to a ten-year-old boy, and you will be surprised to see how soon he will understand your conversation. V/e are well aware that many persons will ridicule this, and will claim that a dog should be taught just as little as will answer to make him understand his duties while in the field, and that what they term "fancy training" is a positive injury to his usefulness. We have no sympathy with these views, for nearly all the pleasure derived from our shooting trips is in witnessing the intelligent manner in which our pets perform their duties; and well satisfied are we that the more varied their accomplishments and the more developed their reasoning faculties, the more enjoyment they will afford. That many writers disagree with us upon this point is true; and formerly, while perusing the finished productions of their able pens, we have been haunted by lingering doabts that after all perhaps they were right and

24 Training vs. Brcaki7ig.

that our system was open to serious objections; but after a tramp over the stubble or through the covert with these same writers, and witnessing the deUght with which they gazed upon the performance of our dogs, and Hstening to the lavish encomiums which they bestowed upon their good behavior, we have been confirmed in the faith that our system is, to say the least, not radically wrong. Many sportsmen whom we have met in the field insist upon congratulating us upon the wonderful good luck that we have had in obtaining such intelligent animals. That they are intelligent is plain to be seen; that they are naturally more so than thousands of others we cannot believe, for we have had considerable experience with many strains of both pointers and setters. Of pointers we have owned the "gazelle-eyed," satincoated, light weight beauties, and many of the different strains and crosses up to the lumbering Spaniard; and of setters we have cultivated the "wild Irishman," as well as his more staid English and Scotch brothers, together with many animals of our grand old native stock, and have ever found them all endowed with faculties that needed but proper training to develop them into intelligent companions as well as first-class "killing" dogs.

We will now return to our pupil, whom we have given quite a rest, and continue our lessons, ever remembering that we must "hasten slowly," and not overburden his youthful days with care and sorrow by too frequent or long continued restraint. Unless he is very dull and stupid, or inclined to be refrac-

Charge! 25

tory, or, worse than all, sulky, a very short time is sufficient to give him all the instruction and practice needed; indeed, the shorter the time occupied in his lessons at this tender age the better, provided you succeed in obtaining an intelligent obedience to your commands^

You should be pretty well acquainted with his disposition by this time, and be able to form an opinion as to whether it will pay to keep him or try again. We are very loth to expend much time with a dull or stupid dog, and a sour or sulky disposition we abominate, and dispose of as soon as may be. We are bsst suited when a puppy is full of life and sho.vs that he has a will of his own. We care not if he be headstrong, even willful, so that he be full of life and action; for we have ever found that these high-strung animals are not only possessed of greater intelligence than their less sensitive companions, but as a rule they are more killing dogs, to *say nothing of the greater pleasure that they afford by their superior style of going. Should his temperament appear to be what you desire, thankfully proceed with your pleasurable task.

You must be careful when you commence his lesson that you do not cross him by beginning when he has something of importance upon his mind that will distract his attention from the business on hand. If he is busy with a bone, or engaged at play, or his mind appears to be preoccupied, leave him. quietly alone until he is disengaged, and then go on with the lesson; by pursuing this course you will secure his undivided attention, and not only save time, but much wear and tear of your stock of patience. It will be time enough to teach him that he must leave his bone or cease his play at your command when he is a little older and a little further advanced in his education. At the same time, should you unthinkingly order him to do anything while he is engaged, you must see to it that the order is obeyed at all hazards, for it will never do to play fast-and-loose with him, nor to allow him to get the idea into his head that he can ever have his own way, when you desire the contrary. After you have taught him to charge readily without the aid of your hand to force him down, you can gradually increase your distance from him when you give the order; and if you are very careful to make him instantly obey you, and do not allow him to take even a single step after the command is given, he will soon obey the order as far as he can hear your voice.

Ill CANINE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

WHILE teaching our puppy to charge, his other lesson must by no means be neglected, but plenty of practice must be sandwiched in until he appears to thoroughly understand the meaning of To-ho, and will readily stop at the word or upraised hand. When he is reasonably perfect in this, you can vary the lesson by placing the food upon your knee, as you sit by him, and bringing his nose very close to it, and after a while, as he improves, you can lay the morsel upon his nose, and he will soon learn to hold perfectly still and retain any attitude that you may place him in. As he advances in knowledge, you should take a piece of meat of good size, that he cannot swallow, and carefully open his mouth — this you can do by clasping your hand around the muzzle and gently forcing the thumb and fingers between the jaws — and placing the piece therein, at the same time commanding him to To-Jio. Do not remove your hand from his jaws, but hold him lightly yet firmly; for although the chances are in favor of