EXERCISE AND TRAINING OF PUPPIES. 167 



often quite transforms some puppies. But, as a rule, ten 

 or twelve months will be quite soon enough to introduce 

 a puppy to actual work. 



Retrieving may be taught at home, using a soft ball 

 of yarn, etc.; and if the puppy is inclined to bite hard on 

 this, a few wires may be pushed through it. He nnist 

 always at first be rewarded, when he brings the ball when 

 thrown, with a little meat, cheese, etc. The words " fetch," 

 " seek," etc., may be employed. Soon he will understand, 

 and seek when no ball is thrown. To get him to " seek 

 dead," some article may be hidden, and at first some meat, 

 etc., must be employed, and the dog assisted to find it. 

 Later a real bird may be used, or a wing. The same word 

 of command should always be used. If the puppy will 

 not bring the article — will not retrieve — take him to the 

 spot and place it in his mouth, holding it there and oblig- 

 ing him to carry it and finally deliver it at command; 

 reward him, and then try him again. 



Some dogs take to retrieving naturally, requiring no 

 training, while it is almost impossible to get others, often 

 of high intelligence, to learn this at all. 



Most puppies need a good deal of attention before they 

 are perfectly steady on point, and to wing and shot, as 

 their natural tendency is to secure the game when they 

 have found it. How best to overcome this it is not always 

 easy to decide. The dog must be encouraged to remain 

 steady while his trainer moves up. Often the assistance of 

 a second person to flush the bird will be desirable, while 

 the dog is approached and encouraged but not allowed to 

 rush on. In this case a check -cord may be useful — to be 

 employed as little as possible. The example of a rehable 



