The Importance of Handling at an early age

Bill Hillmann describes the reasons why a retrievers handling skills are to be solid.
He uses the "Star Drill" to show a way to help with your dog's casting.
Streaming Videos: www.hawkeyemedi...
Blog: billhillmann.net

[@peterscheuer9118]

He teaches bumper chasing. Nothing about gun shy, quartering, staying within gun range, delivery a bird to hand, dead bird vs live bird.

[@vSwampFox]

...and when you think your dog has learned the concept...do it 4 more weeks!

[@migratorygame7400]

I like to seperate fallen birds from blind retrieves. If they see the bird/bumper fall I like to use their name to release them and I use back if they didn't see it fall. I run alot of pattern blind , t training and force to pile. but mine are just hunting dogs.

[@loribaird274]

I have watched a number of your videos ...I am a new lab retriever owner and want to really get this dog well trained (and my husband is a bird hunter)but I really do not know most of the vocabulary so I end up not understanding the videos or what you are teaching . What is "cast" , "line " .....I have looked at the basic course but am nervous that they are only for people who hunt/already know all this vocabulary . Is there a list somewhere of what actual commands mean ??

[@rd9530]

Do you fore fetch your dogs?

[@migratorygame7400]

I force fetch mine. but if u can keep their dummy/bumper drive up and not burn them out it's alot easier. I didn't have to ear pinch although I used the e collar a little on the ground. he was real soft mouth.