42 BREAKING A BIRD DOG 
The pointer Grousemoor, called “Grouse” for 
short, was born May 28, 1900. He is by Ripstone, 
out of Jingo’s Lady. He is a grandson of Cham¬ 
pion Rip-Rap on one side and Champion Jingo on the 
other and he is one of the best-bred pointers in the 
world. He has had three months’ training by one 
of the best trainers in the country, who pronounces 
him a fine dog. He is taught to obey the whistle 
and command, to drop when ordered, to be steady 
to shot and wing, to point and back another dog 
pointing. He is young and inexperienced and must 
be held down to his work. He should be controlled 
by firm and gentle treatment. He has not been 
taught to retrieve, but he should be. Retrieving is 
easy to teach. It should be taught first in the yard, 
using some soft object which feels as much like a 
bird as possible. Put a cord on the dog’s collar 
about twenty feet long. Put the object to be re¬ 
trieved in his mouth, hold it there and lead him 
along, saying in a low voice, but distinctly, “Fetch,” 
then as you remove it from his mouth say, “Give it 
to me.” Never let him drop it. Persist in this until 
he will carry it; when he drops it, give a sharp pull 
on the cord and put it into his mouth again. The 
most difficult part is to make him pick it up from 
the ground. It will take some pains and patience 
to do this, but it can always be done; after he re¬ 
turns this object perfectly hide it in the grass and 
