148 MODERN TRAINING. 



moved. If he refuses, a jerk on the collar usually insures 

 obedience. Any attempt at evasion should not be tolerated 

 for an instant. Do not attempt to coax him. In this sys- 

 tem the praises and rewards only come when the perform- 

 ance is completed. No repetition of orders should be 

 given after the dog understands them. One order is suffi- 

 cient. If a dog can be taught to drop instantly to shot and 

 wing, he can be taught equally prompt obedience to all 

 orders. 



He may next be drilled in retrieving a dead bird. Some 

 dogs retrieve it without any further effort on the part of the 

 trainer, others have to be in a manner rebroken from the 

 beginning. If the dog shows any disposition to bite or 

 pinch the bird, some tenpenny nails can be tied about an 

 inch apart around the body, and parallel with its length; or 

 the nails can be sewed to two small loops of elastic, one at 

 each end, which can be quickly slipped over a bird. This 

 will force him to grasp the bird with the greatest tenderness, 

 and will be a lesson which he will never forget. Sharp 

 pointed wires driven through the body of the bird are un- 

 necessary. Repeat the lessons, with the bird as the object 

 to be retrieved, until he will obey with the greatest certainty 

 and correctness. 



Next the lessons may be repeated in the open fields. If 

 the dog has beei> properly trained, he will not need either 

 checkcord or collar at this stage to prevent his running 

 away; but if there is any danger of bolting, it is better to 

 take the proper precautions against it. It is better to guard 

 against running away if he evinces the slightest inclination 

 to do so, for if he runs away once he will be constantly on 

 the alert for another opportunity, and it may require weeks 

 of discipline to correct the carelessness of a moment. 



After each lesson, when the collar is taken off, the dog 

 should not be released immediately, but should be held and 



