rn. iv.] LAND RETRIEVER, 65 



at right angles to each other at the extremities of the 

 stick. He will then only grasp it near the middle. 



110. On one occasion I had a brace of setters to instruct, which 

 had come to me perfectly untaught, at far too advanced an age to 

 make their education an easy task ; they had also been harshly 

 treated, and were consequently shy and timid. This obliged me to 

 proceed with much caution and gentleness. I soon won their con- 

 fidence, I may say, their affections ; but I could not persuade them 

 to play with my glove, nor to lift anything I threw before them. 

 I was hesitating how to act, when I saw one of them find an old dry 

 bone and bear it off in triumph. I encouraged him in carrying 

 it, threw it several times for him, and when he was tired of the 

 fun, I brought the old bone home as a valuable prize. Next day 

 I tied a string to it, I frequently chucked it to a short distance, 

 and when the dog had seized it I dragged it towards me, generally 

 turning my back to the dog. As soon as I regained it, I made him 

 attach a value to its being in my hands, by employing it as a plate 

 on which to offer him some delicacy. In a few days I could dispense 

 with the string, and I soon ventured to substitute for the bone the 

 string rolled up as a ball ; afterwards I employed a stick. Ulti- 

 mately the dog fetched very promptly. His companion also took 

 up the trick from the force of good example. (See note to 34.) 



111. I have dwelt thus long on "carrying" and "fetching," 

 because they are frequently taught so injudiciously, that the result 

 is a complete failure. 



112. This drill should be further extended if a 



EEGULAR LAND RETRIEVER 



be your pupil. Throw dead birds of any kind for him 

 to bring (of course one at a time), being on the alert to 

 check him whenever he grips them too severely. If he 

 persists in disfiguring them, pass a few blunted knitting 

 needles through them at right angles to one another. 

 When he fetches with a tender mouth, you will be able 

 to follow up this method of training still further by 

 letting him "road" (or "foot," as it is often termed) 

 a rabbit in high stubble, one (or both, if a strong buck) 

 of whose hind legs you will have previously bandaged 

 in the manner described in 60. Be careful not to let 

 him see you turn it out, lest he watch your proceedings 

 and endeavour to " hunt by eye." Indeed, it might be 



