126 MODERN TRAINING. 



he is trained from carrying and fetching, in play, to retriev- 

 ing to command; still, he retains more or less playfulness in 

 his work until he reaches the natural steadiness and se- 

 dateness of maturity. His playfulness, however, can be 

 judiciously suppressed to a certain degree, /. <?., what the 

 dog will submit to. When he shows the slightest alarm or 

 indifference, the limit of suppression has been reached. 



Important details must not be overlooked as the dog pro- 

 gresses. As soon, in the primary lessons, as he will carry 

 the ball in his mouth with any degree of certainty, the ef- 

 forts should be directed to training him to hold it gently in 

 his mouth without tossing it in the air, rolling it in his 

 mouth, or violently shaking or biting it. If he cannot be 

 steadied in this part in the regular lessons without exciting 

 his distrust, it can be taught in separate lessons in a differ- 

 ent room ; for a dog not only can learn to associate correc- 

 tion with a certain act, but he also learns to associate it 

 with the place in which it was given, and will anticipate a 

 recurrence of the unpleasantness if taken into such asso- 

 ciated surroundings ; hence it is obvious that no unpleasant 

 associations should be established with the place wherein he 

 receives his regular lessons. 



To enforce steadiness in carrying the ball, a little mild 

 severity is necessary. Tie a short rope, two or three feet 

 long, to his collar. Make him stand still and check all ef- 

 forts to frolic, for there is no amusement in this lesson. It 

 is better to use a different object so that no impediment 

 may arise in other lessons from associating unpleasantness 

 with the ball. A glove may be used, and this will serve the 

 better, as most dogs are predisposed to bite it. Place it in 

 hifc mouth, hold the left hand gently but firmly under his 

 lower jaw, and if he attempts to bite, toss or eject the glove, 

 give him a tap with the whip. The whip should be used 

 just sufficiently to steady him without alarming him. If it 



