THE AMATEUR TRAINER. 53 
cob on flat hand, as before, now lay the “buck” on 
the floor, but place the hand in a deceiving manner 
in frontofit, as if holding same, and order, “Fetch!” 
The dog comes up to take and may push against 
the “buck” so as to roll it forward, prevent this by 
holding in place until he has taken hold, and at 
once order, “Up !” as before. By degrees withdraw 
the right hand more and more, to a distance of one 
foot. From this on the stooping position of the 
trainer can be avoided; keep directing with the 
hand towards the object, associating the order with 
the motion of the hand, which, in time, will be the 
only command necessary. 
The nails in the ends will prevent the dog from 
taking any other than a direct center hold , which is 
of importance in future lessons, and ultimately in 
practical field work. Do not hurry over this lesson 
before it is well executed, and insist upon the dog 
stretching out to object in fetching, and never allow 
him to first rise up; if that is permitted, serious 
complications will arise, therefore strictly adhere 
to the method as mentioned above. 
It will now happen when the “buck” is dropped 
to the floor, and the dog is ordered to “charge,” he 
will, if close to object, merely bend down , grasp it 
and rise up to proceed. In this case show the dog 
your full satisfaction, for now he accomplishes what 
we endeavor to arrive at with the lesson of 
“charge” at this stage. At first be content if he 
willingly advances a few steps to pick up, then 
