BREAKING AND HANDLING. 105 



and unskillful. One thing at a time should be the rule. 

 The elementary details should be taught separately and 

 thoroughly impressed on the dog's memory, and as he pro- 

 gresses the details should be nicely graduated from the sim- 

 ple to the more difficult. Proficiency in one detail is a fair 

 standard by which to judge his fitness for learning the next. 

 Too much is expected of a dog in too short a time. Con- 

 sidering his natural short life it is wonderful what a variety 

 of intelligent acts he acquires ; yet amateurs often expect a 

 dog to learn an act in much less time than they could learn 

 it themselves. 



The yard breaking should not be attempted until the 

 puppy is at least eight months old; ten months old is better. 

 He needs the freedom of puppyhood with its frolics and 

 carelessness to gain common experience, and mental and 

 physical development. It is not reasonable to expect much 

 ability before the puppy approaches maturity. If the trainer 

 desires to teach retrieving by the natural method, so called, 

 he may begin when the puppy is five or six months old, and 

 inasmuch as it is associated with playfulness, it does no 

 harm. 



The methods of teaching obedience to the different orders 

 are described under the following appropriate heads : 



Obedience to the order Come in is very easily taught if 

 the lessons are given properly ; the whip has no place in 

 these lessons. By giving the dog a palatable morsel when 

 he is called in he soon learns to understand and obey the 

 order when there is a reward in sight. However, he must 

 be taught to come in promptly to order, reward or no 

 reward. Disobedience or indifference should not be toler- 

 ated. Put a spike collar with a rope about ten feet long 

 attached to it upon him. Stand off a few feet and give the 

 order Come in ; pull him in simultaneously by means of the 

 rope. Repeat until he will come in promptly to order alone. 



