130 THE AMERICAN HUNTING DOG 



A dog's mentality is so limited that he does not 

 grasp the meaning of most words, so that each 

 command must be reduced to its most elemental 

 meaning before the dog can learn what it is that 

 you want. For example, the command ** Fetch!" 

 means nothing to your dog. The word ''fetch'* 

 means to go and get something and bring it to 

 you — an entirely too complicated idea for the dog 

 to get out of one word. To him it is just another 

 queer sound, and he hasn't the least idea what 

 you want. He must, therefore, be led up to the 

 idea "Fetch!" by a progressive series of lessons. 



LESSON I. — SIT DOWN 



After your puppy, through constant feeding and 

 companionship, has gotten to the point where he 

 adores you, has every confidence in you and will 

 do anything in the world to please you, he is 

 ready, at about six months of age, to begin his 

 course of field training. Buy a force collar, and 

 then lead him to a quiet room or spot where in- 

 terruptions and distractions will be infrequent, 

 and put on the collar, with short leader attached. 

 He may revolt at it and fight, but keep quiet, speak 

 calmly and kindly to him, letting him fight it out 

 with the collar until he realises that the only way 

 it will not hurt him is when he remains quietly 



