CHAPTER VI.— Continued. 



RETRIEVING. 



SHOULD you desire that your dog become proficient in 

 the fancy department of this accomplishment, there is no 

 end to the tricks that you may teach him ; but until he is 

 fairly proficient in bringing his bit of meat and bill, you 

 should confine your prac ice stric!ly to these; for although 

 he may understand you and readily bring anything that you 

 may ask him to, you will find it the better way to go slow 

 and sure, ever bearing in mind that anything that is worth 

 your while to teach him, should be taught ia a thorough 

 manner, that he may not forget it should it happen that he 

 should go a few days without being call. d upon to perform 

 it. 



We like our dog to carry, as well a9 to fete 11 , and deliver 

 his bird to our companion who has shot it ; acd we wish him 

 so well trained that he will carry any article and lay it down 

 at the word ' 'drop'' in any place that we may designate. 

 This he may be taught to do understanding^ if you pursue 

 the proper course with him. To teach him this, you will re- 

 quire an assistant, who should be one of vour own family, cr 

 some one that the dog is well acquainted wi h. When you 

 give the first lesson, your assistant should be a few feet from 

 ycu. Calling your pupil to you, give him his ball and bid 

 him "carry" it, at the same time motioning with your hand 

 in 1he dircdicn that he is to go. Your assistant should not 

 say a word, but should merely hold out his hand for the ball, 

 and when the dog delivers it, i: e should praise and pet him a 

 little, while you should make make much of him, and if he 

 has performed the task in a pleasing manner, reward him 

 with a bit of meat. After a few lessons of this kind, the dis- 

 tance can be gradually increased and he will soon carry as 

 far as he can see your assistant. If there is any difficulty in 

 getting him started right, let your assistant take the ball and 



