664 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



or small water-dog, will be found extremely useful, 

 particularly if he is tolerably large, as he is a rapid 

 and expert swimmer and diver, and very ardent in 

 his temperament. There will be no difficulty in 

 teaching any of the above varieties to take the 

 water, as they are impelled by a natural instinct to 

 do so. 



When puppies are five or six months old, they 

 should be taught to fetch and carry, as a preliminary 

 to breaking them. This is easily done by throw- 

 ing a glove or other article to them in the house, or 

 during a walk, and desiring them to fetch it. With 

 young dogs, the most gentle means are certainly the 

 best ; and when any animal proves obstinate, his 

 correction should be of a moderate kind ; and if he 

 seems much disheartened by beating, it will be best 

 to suspend teaching for a time, and in the interim 

 he may be propitiated with gentle caresses. 



A method which has been successfully employed 

 in training the dogs under consideration is, to get 

 a rabbit's skin, stuffed, and begin by tossing it about 

 a room. When the dog, which should have a small 

 line attached to his collar, takes up the skin, bring 

 him to you by a gentle pull, with the skin in his 

 mouth ; encourage him three or four times, and then 

 take the line off. When the dog begins to enjoy 

 this sport, take a small line and run it through a 

 pulley fixed to the ceiling ; then tie the rabbit's skin 

 to one end of the line, and keep the other in your 

 hand ; after this, fire a pistol, and let the skin drop. 

 The dog will soon become fond of the sport, and 

 will thereafter readily bring every head of game and 

 wild-fowl that is shot. After some proficiency is 

 made, take two or three together into a room, fire 

 the pistol, and order first one dog, and then another 



