124 MODERN TRAINING. 



puppy's natural inclination to frolic, and carry objects in his 

 mouth from playfulness; therefore the best time in which 

 the puppy can be taught after this system is in puppyhood. 

 Puppies, when playing alone, often take an old shoe, bone, 

 or other object, in their mouths, toss it in the air, and run 

 about with it. With the staid, aged dog, this method has 

 very little value, such dog being too matured in intelligence 

 to be deceived into considering a dry lesson an amusement, 

 particularly when there is such a very small element of fun 

 in it. 



Occasionally a very good retriever is made by the so-called 

 natural method. The term is misleading in its meaning, as 

 no dog retrieves naturally, although some learn with very 

 little training. As applied in training, the term is used 

 simply in contradistinction to the method in which force is 

 applied. 



A vacant room is the best place in which to give the 

 lessons, it serving the double purpose of preventing outside 

 incidents from diverting the puppy's attention, and restrain- 

 ing his freedom within proper bounds. It, is decidedly de- 

 sirable to have no spectators, it being self-evident that the 

 trainer should have the puppy's undivided attention in his 

 lessons, which he cannot have unless he is alone. 



The whole method is comprised in training the puppy, 

 by insensible gradations, from carrying an object in play for 

 his own amusement, to carrying it to command, for his mas- 

 ter's pleasure. All the different moods and peculiarities of 

 the puppy must be carefully noted, taking advantage of 

 those which are favorable, and guarding against those which 

 are unfavorable. Simply by constant practice he learns the 

 meaning of the orders, and obedience is established by force 

 of habit. A matter of prime importance to remember is 

 that, in the actual work of the dog which is taught after this 

 system, since he obeys of his own will, and the trainer is 



