LESSONS IN "FETCHING." 511 



send your dog will be inconsiderable, and you should 

 carefully avoid persevering too long a time, lest he get 

 sick of the lesson. Indeed, in all his lessons as well 

 in-doors as out but particularly in this, let it be your 

 aim to leave off at a moment when he has performed 

 entirely to your satisfaction ; that you may part the best 

 of friends, and that the last impression made by the 

 lesson may be pleasing as well as correct, from a grate- 

 ful recollection of the caresses which he has received. 

 In wild-duck shooting you may be in situations where you 

 would be very glad if the dog would bring your bird ; 

 and when it is an active runner in cover, I fear you will 

 be more anxious than I could wish 221 that the dog 

 should " fetch.'' It is probable that he will thus assist 

 you if he be practised as I have just advised ; and such 

 instruction may lead, years hence, to his occasionally 

 bringing you some dead bird which he may come across, 

 and which you otherwise might have imagined you had 

 missed, for its scent might be too cold, and consequently 

 too changed, for the dog to have thought of regularly 

 pointing it. 



87. Mark my having saiSj " deliver into your hand," 

 that your young dog may not be satisfied with only 

 dropping, within your sight, any bird he may lift, and 

 so, perhaps, leave it on the other side of a trout stream, 

 as I have seen dogs do more than once, in spite of every 

 persuasion and entreaty. With a young dog, who re- 

 trieves, never pick up a bird yourself, however close it 

 may fall to you. Invariably, make him either deliver 



