486 LETTERS TO YOUNG SHOOTERS- LETTEK 



or wall ; when he will do this, and will ' down charge ' 

 at any moment, whether in the vicinity of his kennel, 

 or when at exercise in a field or along a road, or if 

 you call to him through an open window (a capital test), 

 he is perfect in ' down charging ; ' but practise him 

 continually 0,11 through his subsequent education to see 

 that he does not forget this lesson, as he will be con- 

 stantly required to ' down charge ' in all his Subse- 

 quent career. 



LESSON III 



FETCH AND CARRY 



Our puppy has now learnt to be obedient to call, 

 and to ' down charge.' 



To fetch and carry is his next lesson. Obtain an 

 old glove or a soft ball, and, without moving from your 

 position, which may be as you sit in a chair or kneel 

 on the ground, order the puppy from the ' down 

 charge ' to fetch it. At first send the puppy a yard 

 or two for the ball, then several yards, and finally 

 as far as you can throw it, but always in the open 

 where he can plainly see it. He will soon learn to 

 bring the ball to you if he has the natural instincts of 

 ' fetching ' inherent in nearly all retrievers ; take 

 the ball very gently and persuasively from him by 

 placing your hand under his mouth, and instantly 

 give him a piece of food instead, kept ready in your 



