FOR THE FIELD AND FIELD TRIALS. 221 



that punishment impends. When he releases it, ca- 

 ress and reassure him. If he closes tightly on it and 

 refuses to deliver it, no violence or impatience should 

 be manifested. Grasp the cob in the left hand gently, 

 utter the command "Give," stepping on the toes of 

 one of his forefeet at the same time. It is not neces- 

 sary to pinch them severely. A gentle pressure will 

 be quite sufficient to accomplish the purpose. The 

 order "Give" will be promptly obeyed after a few 

 lessons given in this manner. 



Up to this stage the dog, as a general rule, acts 

 mechanically. He steps forward and puts his mouth 

 on the cob because the act saves him from pain. He 

 has not perception sufficient to enable him to com- 

 prehend that it is necessary for him to lower his head 

 if the trainer holds the cob near the floor in front of 

 him. At this stage the dog's natural inclination to 

 grasp a moving object may be aroused, and then he 

 may follow it up and grasp it on his own initiative. 

 When this is evoked, the rest of the training is easy. 

 The trainer caters to the dog's inclination to make 

 it an amusement. The command "Fetch" is given, 

 the cob is wiggled teasingly close to his nose, and 

 when he follows after it, it is moved two or three 



