22O TRAINING THE HUNTING DOG 



confidence, and making a pleasant ending to the 

 lesson. 



The first simple lessons should be continued till 

 the dog will open his mouth promptly the moment 

 that he hears the order "Fetch." The next stage 

 is to teach him to step forward and grasp the cob 

 when he hears the command. The dog is now 

 brought into active instead of passive obedience. 

 He must act instead of being acted upon. The 

 trainer holds the cob about a foot in front of the 

 dog's nose, gives the command "Fetch," at the same 

 time jerking him forward sharply to the cob, which 

 he is induced to seize, and which he will seize when 

 within reach of it, if the preliminary lessons have 

 been properly inculcated. These lessons teach the 

 dog to advance forward for the cob when he hears 

 the command. 



When the dog has grasped the cob, or when 

 he has in good faith attempted to do so and failed, 

 the punishment should instantly cease. 



When he quite realizes the virtue of the cob in 

 his mouth in affording immunity from punishment, 

 he will object to release it even when the trainer so 

 desires, Its absence he learns after a time signifies 



