134 MODERN TRAINING. 



none too severe to accomplish the object; with such it is the 

 proper instrument. When used, however, to supplement 

 the spike collar, it has special advantages; and they can 

 then be applied with far less punishment to accomplish the 

 purpose than if either were used alone. The other forcing 

 means have nothing worthy of notice save their novelty, 

 forcing a dog to retrieve through the instrumentality of the 

 spike collar or spike collar and whip being the approved 

 method with the greater number of expert trainers. As in 

 all other branches where force is used, to teach successfully 

 by this system requires a careful study of the disposition, 

 different temperaments and the effects of punishment on the 

 individual dog at different stages of his training. Forcing 

 a dog to retrieve is not jerking him promiscuously and vio- 

 lently about from the very beginning till he, as many sup- 

 pose, fetches the desired object. It is a system of distinct 

 stages of advancement, nicely graduated into each other, and 

 each stage requires some peculiarities of treatment differ- 

 ing more or less from the others. Instead of being a mass 

 of coarse, unreasoning violence, it is simply punishment in- 

 telligently inflicted in small doses, to establish perfection, 

 detail by detail. To do this in the best manner requires 

 experience and knowledge of the best methods, but the 

 novice who will take time enough and follow directions 

 carefully can make a passable success if he has any talent 

 for dog training; if he has none, neither experience nor in- 

 struction will avail. 



Now there is a great deal of dexterity in the manner of 

 jerking the dog, and equally as much judgment required as 

 to the degree of force necessary, and the correct instant at 

 which to apply it. The jerk should not be a long, sweeping 

 one which will carry the dog along with it, but a short, 

 quick, positive jerk, which will hardly stir the dog from his 

 place, or permit him to do so even if he wishes. A fair 



