Practical dog training, or, Training vs. breaking

116 Pages·1882·10.669 MB·English

by  Hammond, S. T.

THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
PRESENTED BY
PROF.CHARLESA.KOFOIDAND
MRS.PRUDENCEW.KOFOID

FOREST AND STREAM SERIES, No. 2.
PRACTICAL
fRAINING;
OR,
TRAINING vs. BREAKING.
HAMMOND,
S. T.
KENNEL. EDITOR OF "FOREST AND STREAM.
NEW YORK:
FOREST AND STREAM PUBLISHING COMPANY,
39 PARK ROW.
1882.
COPYRIGHT, 1882, FORESTAND STREAM PUBLISHING* Co,
NOTE.
Thesystemof dogtrainingdescribed inthisbookisa
new one. Its fundamental principleswereadoptedby
thewriterthirtyyearsago; the detailsof the method,
as here given, have been developed and perfected by
him during that time. His own success with it has
encouragedthebeliefthatitspublicationwould be wel-
comed by the thousands of Air* ican sportsmen who
own and handlefielddogs. Thisbelief, itisapleasure
tosay, has beenconfirmedbythemarkedfavoraccord-
ed to the successive chapters astheyappeared in the
FORESTAND STREAM,from which journal theyarehere
reprinted.
This system is humane and rational. Itisalsoprac-
ticalandefficient. Dogtrainingdiffersessentiallyfrom
dog breaking, both in method and spirit, and alsoin
whatmaybeacceptedasthetestofallsystems,namely:
theresultsattained.
Thepagesofthisbookcontainnotheories. Theyare
aplain, simplerecordoftheplanwhichhas beentested
bythewriterinthefield, yearafteryear. He believes
that the same plan may be followed by others with
equal success. It is, therefore, with the fullest confi-
dence in the merits of thissystemofDogTraining vs.
DogBreaking, thatitLsubmittedtothepublic.
The story of "My Old Dog Trim"isadded,because
from his day the author dates his conversion to the
beliefthattrainingisbetterthanbreakingo Thesketch
of "TheOne-Eyed GrouseofMapleRun" isalsogiven,
thatthereadermayhaveinitsomeofthe "reasonsfor
thefaiththatisinus,"whenweadvisetheintroduction
of the youngsters to the haunts of this royal bird.
These sketches are also givenasillustrativeofsomeof
the pleasures enjoyed inthefieldinthecompanionship
of awell-traineddog. S. T. H,
FORESTANDSTREAMOFFICE,March, 1882.
TRAINING VS. BREAKING.
CUAPTEK I.
T^TEARLYallwritersuponthesubjectofdog trainingap-
J-N pear tothink that thereis but one course topursue.
Thatallknowledgethatisnot beaten intoadogisworthless
forallpracticalpurposes, and thatthe whip, check-cordand
spike-collar, withperhapsanoccasionalchargeof shot or a
vigorous dose of shoe leather, are absolutely necessary in
ordertoperfecthis education.
Itmayappearpresumptionsforustoadvocateadeparture
fromthebeatenpath,butaswehavehadsomelittleexperience
in thepastthirtyyears, andasmanysportsmenwho should
be good authority have seen our dogs at work, andhave
unanimouslyunited in prdseofthe manner inwhich they
acquit themselves inthe field, wehave thought lhat per-
hapsadescription ofourmethod oftraining mightprovein-
teresting. Itwill besoat least tothenewbeginner. The
mainobjectthat wehave in viewistheameliorationof the
presentcondition of "man'sbestfriend,"andshouldtheper-
usalof these lines cause evenbutonetofollowthecoursa
heremarkedout, weshallfeelamplyrepaidforourlabor.
Wehaveeverbeen possessed ofagreatlovedeepdown in
theheartforourcaninepets, andthisloveisthemainspring
that governsallouractions toward them. Wedonot wish
tobeunderstoodasmeaningthatwe neverusethe whip for
webelievewiththewisekingofoldthat therod should not
be spared when it is needed. What wedomean isthis:
Thereisnodogworththeraising wearespeakingofpoint-
ersandsetters that cannot andwillnot learnallthatit is
necessaryforhimtoknowwithoutasingleblowbeingstruck
or a single harsh word being spoken. Wearevery well
awarethatthishumanecourse willentail alittlemorelabor,
andthatavastdealmorepatienceisrequired thanwhen de-
pendence is placedupon the whipandboot-heeltoenforce
rt 7 /L Q ~Z -> "7
2 TRAINING V3. BREAKING.
yourcommands, buttheintelligent and cheerful manner in
which your pet obeys your slightestwordor motionwill
muchmore thancompensateyouforthe extra timethatyou
have devoted to his education. There is nothingthat so
marsourenjoyment wheninthefield as to see thecringing
form of a noble animal cowering in fearofawhipping,
whichninetimesoutoftenhe doesnotdeserve halfsomuch
ashismaster.
Wedonotclaimabsoluteperfectionforoursystemnor that
youcanbyadoptingit invariablysucceed in turning out a
welltrained, wellbehaveddog, for weknow thatwith dogs
aswellaswithmenweoftenfindone whoforlackof brains
will never amountto much, no matterwhat painswe take
withhim.
In selectingapuppytherearemanythings tobetaken in-
toconsideration. Inthefirstplacewemustbesurethatboth
sire and dam are first class field performers. This
we consider of the utmost importance. They must also
be possessed of endurance, andmust bereasonablyintelli-
gent. The more ancestors ofthis type that ourpup caa
boastthebetterwillhe suitus. Hemustalsohavelifeand
ambition; indeed wecarenothowhigh strung heis, foral-
though he maynot submit torestraint quitesoreadily as
hissleepybrother, yetwhenyouoncehavehim under sub-
jection hewillnot onlymind more quickly, buthewill da
hisworkbetterandmuchmoreofit. Ofcoursehemust be
wellformed, andweshouldlikehimtobeofgoodcolorand
coat, but theselast are not indispensibleaswemuch prefer
goodperformance togoodlooks.
Havingselectedourpup,wewilltake him homewhen he
isfcixtoeightweeks old, and at once beginhiseducation.
Manywriterswill tell you that your dog shouldbemuch
olderbeforeyou begintoinstilintohismindeven the rudi-
mentsofknowledge. Ifyouaregoing to pursue theirsys-
temofinstruction, weshouldadviseyoubyallmeanstoput
offtheevildayaslongaspossible; butif you aretofollow
ourplan, beginatonce; notamomentistobelost. Inthe
firstplaceyouwanttosecurehisaffection and entireconfi-
FIRST LESSONS. 3
deuce. Thiswillbethefirstlesson,andnothingmoreshould
beattempteduntilyou have completelywon his heartand
taughthimto place theutmostconfidence in you. Atthis
tenderagehismind iseasilyimpressed, and will long retain
theideasnowformed and it will take but afew days to
;
teachhimtoioveyouwithall his heart. If possible, give
him agoodroomypenonthe ground, with a warm, well-
shelteredhouse or boxin whichtolie. Do not forget that
hewillbeverylonesomeforafewdays, and therefore glad
toseeyouoften andyoucannot better employ yourtime
;
thaninpayinghimavisiteveryhalfhourforthefirstdayor
two. Always, whenyougotoseehim, haveabit of some-
thingforhimtoeat that he will relish. As youapproach
thepenyoushouldinvariably blow upon your whistlethe
notethatyouintendtousetocallhim in. "VVesoundalong
noteforthispurpose, beginning loud and gradually dying
away. This, with ashort, sharpnotetoattract attention, is
allthesignalthatweeversounduponthewhistle; thelast we
donotuseuntilhiseducationisfurtheradvanced. Byasso-
ciatingthislongnotewithsomethinggoodtoeat, itwillsoon
becomefixedinbismindthatwhen hehearsithemustrun
toyouasfastashecan. Wemuchprefertohavetwopups,for
it takesnomoretimetoteachthemboththanitdoestoteach
one, astheywilllearn from each other and if one isin-
;
clinedtobe dilatorywewitholdhisreward, andhe, seeingthe
otheroneenjoyinghiscustomaryallowancewhileheishim-
selfdeprivedof his share, at once comprehends the true
reasonandwillbeonhandthenexttime.
Donotfail to abundantly caress him and speakkindly
words, andneverunderany circumstances, no matter what
theprovocation, allowyourselftoscoldorstrikehim, asthis
isentirelyatvariancewithour system, and is suretoresult
inthedefeatofourplans. Shouldhejump upon you with
hisdirtyfeet, ortearyourclotheswith his sharp teeth, do
notgetangryandcuffhim,butgentlyyet firmly piice him
uponthegroundorunclasp his jaws from your garments,
consolingyourselfwiththethought thatinashort time you
willhavehimsowellinhandthathewill know betterthan
4 TRAINING vs. BREAKING.
tocommitthese faults. Beverygentlewithhimatalltimes;
carefullystudyhisdisposition, andlearnallofhiswaysthat
youmaythemorereadily understand just how to manage
him. Youshouldbe in perfect sympathy with him and
humorallhiswhimsandnotionsandendeavor to teachhim
that you truly love him. In a short time you will find
thatthislovewillbereturned tenfold, and that he isever
anxiouslywatchingforyourcoming, andneversohappy as
wheninyourpresence andenjoyingyourcaresses.
Afterafewdaysyoumay begin to trainhim, but do not
beinahurryabout it, as nothing is gained byhaste. Be
verycarefulnow, anddonotruinallbyanunduehaste go
;
very slow, carefully feel your way, and, above all things,
exerciseanunweariedpatience; andif atanytimeyoufind
thestrainuponyournervesgrowing a little too tense, leave
himatonceandwaituntilyou are perfectlycalm beforere-
sumingthelesson.
Thereisonething, oftheutmostimportance,thatwewish
toparticularlyimpress upon your mind beforewe go any
further. Donotallowyourself under anycircumstancesto
speaktoyourpupil in anything but your ordinarytoneof
voice. Thereisnothingthatis mereannoyingwhenshoot-
ingthantohave a companioncontinually yellingatthetop
of his voice to his dog, and generallywithout anyeffect.
Now, suchyellingisworsethan useless, fo-r if your dog is
properlytrainedinthefirstplace, hewillreadilymind your
lightest word. For your own comfort, then, and for the
pleasureofwhoevermayaccompanyyouuponyourshooting
excursions, usenothingbutgentletoneswhenyouissueyour
commands. Whenthis verydisagreeable habitof shou'ing
isoncecommenced, youwillsoonfindthatastillloudertone
isdemanded, andhadyouthelungsof aStentor, itwill not
belongbeforeyourresourceswillbeexhausted,andyouwill
vainly sighforthunder tones to voice yourwordsof com-
mand.
Thefirstthingthatweendeavor to teachapup, afterwe
obtainhis loveand confidence, is to stopat thewords To
ho. This is a very important point, and comparatively