BREAKING AND HANDLING. 141 



After the cob is placed in the dog's mouth, in the first les- 

 son, speak kindly to him and allow him a few moments to 

 collect himself. Make the contrast between holding the cob 

 in his mouth and refusing to hold it, as distinct as possi- 

 ble ; the former by kindness and approval, the latter, by 

 disapproval and punishment. If properly managed, he in 

 a few lessons learns to open his mouth at the command 

 Fetch, without any punishment. 



However, at this stage, certain dogs may develop some 

 traits which will complicate matters and seriously obstruct 

 progress unless they are corrected promptly as they de- 

 velop. The amateur pays no especial attention to them, but 

 proceeds as if they were a matter of course. The follow- 

 ing is a common one : The dog, when the collar is pulled, 

 may lie down ; in this position, no progress can be made in 

 training. The lesson should be entirely suspended, and the 

 efforts devoted to making him stand on his feet, which is 

 distinctly a lesson by itself. Shift the rope into the left 

 hand and take a good light whip in the right. Do not at- 

 tempt to jerk him into position with the collar, for while the 

 object can be attained by that means, it can be attained 

 much easier in a greater number of instances with a light 

 riding whip or very light rawhide. Tap him smartly on 

 his toes, at the same time giving the order, Hold up. As he 

 pulls one foot under him to avoid punishment, immediately 

 apply the whip to the other feet and deliberately, but per- 

 sistently, apply it thus until he stands up. The retrieving 

 lessons may then be resumed. Any repetition of the fault 

 should be invariably corrected in the same manner, thus it 

 soon will be overcome. 



When he will open his mouth voluntarily when the order 



Fetch is given, he is prepared for the next stage, which is 



to make him walk one or two steps to the object which the 



trainer holds in his left hand in front of him, and instead of 



10 



