THE AMATEUR TRAINER. 
63 
pigeon alive and kill it by suffocation, so as not to 
soil it with blood. Place the dead bird in a straight 
position, wings smoothly up to body. Let it cool 
and get rigid before using for retrieving. 
Bring the dog to “sit down ;” produce the bird 
with right hand ; hold close up to the dog’s mouth, 
and order, “Fetch!” Most likely he will refuse, 
whereupon use left hand grip to open his mouth; 
place bird evenly therein, and call, “Hold it!” 
After a few moments order, “Let go!” Repeat 
until he readily takes hold, but be quite particular 
he does not merely take hold of head, tip of wing, 
or a small wift of feathers; insist upon taking a 
square center body-hold, then let him carry same to 
order, “Fetch here !” The change from pad to bird 
will not be difficult. Hold out the bird to about 
three feet before the dog, for him to come up and 
take from the hand ; soon this goes fairly well; then 
lay bird on the ground (back down) and order, 
“Fetch.” Should he fail to obey promptly, then 
use former methods in enforcing obedience. Extend 
distance by degrees, and finally conceal the bird, as 
in former lessons on the pad. Encourage to make 
the dog ambitious in the seeking of the bird, but 
not to such an extent as to make him playful, and 
do not let him mouth or toss the same about; sharply 
reprimand all such proceedings. Use the same 
bird for the seeking lesson during the next few 
days, even in hot weather, when decomposition 
may set in and become fully as offensive to yourself 
