Modern Breaking 117 



breaking some dogs to retrieve is a combina- 

 tion of both the force and natural systems. If you 

 have a bright, courageous puppy about the 

 kennel, which is always nosing about and pick- 

 ing up things, he can be taught to hold and 

 carry small objects about the kennel, but no 

 attempt should be made to force him to retrieve 

 until well along in his field work. The first les- 

 son is the most important one and the breaker 

 must use extreme care in the very beginning 

 not to frighten the dog and cause it to become 

 cowed or sulky. 



There are six things to teach a dog sepa- 

 rately: First, to hold an object after it is 

 placed in the mouth ; second, to open the mouth 

 so that the object may be placed there; third, 

 to take it from the hand ; fourth, to pick it 

 up from the floor; fifth, to go a distance for it; 

 sixth, to fetch it back. Each of these points 

 must be forced separately. 



An object might be thrown upon the floor 

 and no amount of punishment would induce the 

 dog to pick it up. He simply would not know 

 what was required of him. But, by teaching 

 the dog separately those things that he should 

 be compelled to do, he will come to understand 

 the connection and know all about the detail 

 that enters into the one act of retrieving. 



The first lessons should be given in a large 

 room where the breaker and his pupil will be 



