RETRIEVING. 465 



it, and will hold until he is ordered to "let go." When this lesson 

 is fairly learned, compel him to walk around the room with it in his 

 mouth. The chances are that he will drop it with the first move, 

 and if so, box his ears, replace the cob, and force him to walk 

 round with it until he is ordered to "let go." There is very little 

 trouble in teaching any dog to do this, the greatest difficulty being 

 to make him pick up from the floor, which should not be attempted 

 until he is thoroughly confirmed in the above. Then the cob must 

 be held a few inches below his mouth, and he be made to take it, 

 which being done, it may be held a few inches lower, gradually 

 dropping it nearer and nearer the ground until the object is taken 

 from the hand while resting upon the ground ; when by the exer- 

 cise of a little force he will pick it up when ordered. After he has 

 been thoroughly educated, the object may be thrown to increasing 

 distances, and the animal will thus be taught to " go fetch " " come 

 in," " sit down," and "hold it," until he is ordered to " let go." 

 When proficient in all this, then, and then only may he be taken to 

 the field, where having been brought to a " down charge," his eyes 

 are covered with the hand, and the cob is thrown that he will be 

 compelled to find it with his nose, when he is ordered to "fetch it." 

 It frequently happens after a dog has been perfectly broken to re- 

 trieve a cob, ball, package, etc., that he will not at first touch a 

 bird ; but by placing it in his mouth, and compelling him to carry 

 it a short distance, he will readily be confirmed in the habit. 



Much care should be taken not to confuse the dog by attempt- 

 ing to teach too much at one time; and also that his disposition 

 be steadied, and that no more punishment is given than is abso- 

 lutely necessary. A skilful breaker will teach almost any dog, of 

 whatever age, to retrieve properly, and that too, in a short space 

 of time, finding it necessary to occupy but ten or fifteen days in 

 perfecting their instruction. But there is a "knack" in thus 

 training, which very few people possess, and fewer still ever attain. 

 In a recent publication on this subject, the aphorism is laid down, 

 " That any man may attempt to break a dog with certainty of suc- 

 cess, provided," (ah! there's the rub!) "provided he will ever 

 keep in mind the watchwords of this science : observation, patience 

 zxiiS. perseverance." To this we would add, complete self control, 

 without which all else is useless. 



