142 MODERN TRAINING. 



placing it in the dog's mouth, he is taught to step forward 

 and grasp it. Hold the cob about fifteen inches in front, 

 conveniently for him to see it and grasp it easily. Then 

 give the order Fetch, jerk thecollar in a line with the object 

 to be retrieved so as to impel the dog toward it and make 

 him grasp it himself, yet assisting him a little by putting it 

 nearly in his mouth if he is awkward about it. At this stage, 

 as at all others, the moment that the dog has the object in 

 his mouth, all punishment should instantly cease. Gently 

 stroke him on his head, and speak to him kindly. Make 

 him perform the act repeatedly during several lessons, and 

 perfect him so that he will step forward and grasp the ob- 

 ject instantly, without punishment, when the order Fetch is 

 given. The most disagreeable trait which may be exhib- 

 ited at this stage is jumping backward and sagging in the 

 collar, a serious fault that must be thoroughly corrected be- 

 fore progress can be made. When he jumps backward, 

 grasp the rope with both hands and give him a sharp jerk, 

 so timing it that 'it will catch him at the end of his back- 

 ward movement ; repeat the punishment until he comes for- 

 ward to place. Every time that he repeats the fault, repeat 

 the punishment, for he must be forced to step forward when 

 the order Fetch is given, instead of going backward. If the 

 dog is vicious and attempts to bite, which is a rare case, put 

 on a rope about five or six feet long so that the trainer can 

 stand far enough away for safety. Hold a good heavy 

 whip in the hand with which to keep him off if he attempts 

 to close in to bite. If the trainer is not strong physically, 

 or if the dog is very vicious, another rope can be tied to 

 his collar and the other one tied to a tree, post, etc. If the 

 dog attempts to rush on the trainer, the rope will prevent 

 him from following him up. The sooner a dog of this kind 

 is subjugated, the better. Apply the whip liberally and se- 

 verely until he surrenders. Once subdued, he is perma- 

 nently conquered. 



