THE AMATEUR TRAINER. 35 
with it reach to his loins; lay the four fingers on 
left, the thumb to right, across the small of back; 
press slightly together and downward, at the same 
time draw backward, with right hand on cord and 
give command, “Sit down!” Prevent him from 
lying down entirely by holding him up with collar, 
but get him into a sitting posture on his haunches. 
Keep him in a sitting position a few moments, 
meanwhile repeat the order. Release hand on 
back, say “Good boy,” or anything pleasing to him ; 
make a few steps to and fro, and again let him “sit 
down.” Alternate .this with the foregoing lessons 
during entire time allotted. 
The dog now sits without aid. Take firm hold 
of cord, close up to buckle (now with left hand), 
repeating the command. Do not' move from the 
spot, but raise one foot, as if intending to advance; 
he will instantly endeavor to rise and follow, 
prevent this with hold on collar; move foot further 
away ; place it before and then around him, always 
facing the dog, slowly move backward and up 
again; lengthen hold on cord; step backward 
gradually to about two feet, and again come up. 
Do all this while he sits motionless. Take a few 
steps with dog in former manner, to rest yourself. 
Bring to “sit down,” and repeat the backward 
movements to a distance of three feet; then by 
degrees, first to one side, then to the other, and 
finally behind and around him, increasing the dis¬ 
tance from the dog by every turn, until he sits 
