TEACHING TO KETRIEVE. 147 



mode by which carrying may be taught consists in letting 

 the puppy, especially when teething, lay hold of a handker- 

 chief or towel, or a bunch of feathers tied to a cord, and drag 

 it towards him ; a slight resistance aggravates him exceed- 

 ingly, and makes him fond of possession, which he may be 

 allowed to have for a few seconds, and will then proudly 

 carry off his trophy, the other end of which is still to be held, 

 but not checked. In a few seconds he may be again warned 

 by a gentle pull that he is not yet master of it, and this renews 

 the desire, which ultimately becomes confirmed, and any dog 

 may thus be taught to carry a stick ; but, as I before re- 

 marked, he will inevitably become " hard-mouthed." 



After giving him only a few of these lessons daily, and 

 not nauseating, he is, as he grows older, accustomed to 

 fetch anything which is thrown, and often may be made 

 to pick up whatever he is told to lift, by the words 

 " Fetch it," pointing to the particular article. In throwing 

 the glove for him to fetch, occasionally throw it into 

 high grass, or in the garden, into carrots or potatoes, then 

 cry " seek, seek," and encourage the dog to look for it, by 

 appearing to look for it yourself. After six months of age, 

 the puppy may be taught to find and bring young rabbits, 

 purposely concealed in grass, &c. : but should never be 

 allowed to hunt rats, since they, by their bite, raise the 

 animal's ire, and cause him to retaliate, and consequently to 

 become hard-mouthed with his game. When the retriever 

 has learnt to find and bring young rabbits without injury, 

 and is under very good command, he may safely be taken 

 out with pointers, but at first should be led by a servant, and 

 only suffered to go loose when a bird is killed. He will then 

 at once proceed to find it, and bring it to you, during all 

 which time the pointers must be still " down," let the search 

 be ever so long and distant. After a short time, when the 

 retriever has been thoroughly accustomed to the work he has 

 to do, he may be allowed to go at large, keeping him always 

 at the heel of the shooter, and only suffering him to retrieve 

 at the words "Seek, seek," if the birds are wounded, or 

 " Fetch it," if dead. The retriever should always be made 

 to bring the game to the actual foot, or even the hand of the 

 shooter, and not lay it down at a distance, as he may choose 



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