RETRIEVING

THE COMMAND—FETCH

The Sign—Lift the right hand in the di-rection in which the dumbbell is thrown.

The dog is in sitting position at the guide's left. Thedumbbell is thrown, the command FETCH given. Thedog runs for the dumbbell, picks it up and returns tothe guide, stopping in front of him, in sitting position andwith the dumbbell still held in his mouth. At the com-mand OUT, the dumbbell is taken from the dog's jaws,as he remains in sitting position until ordered HEEL. Hethen swings around to the sitting position at the guide'sleft.

This lesson is the most playful exercise in the entiretraining course, especially when the dog is inclined toplay or to retrieve. Every puppy's natural instinct forplay takes the form of chasing an object that rolls alongthe ground. This instinct must be taken advantage ofduring puppyhood else the dog may, when fully grown,develop a dislike for the retrieving exercise.