WhatPeopleSay

Jennifer Broome at Quinebaug Kennels in CT wrote:

"Bill Hillmann's Puppy Training Video is fantastic! Two winters ago in Florida I trained Treat, my 3 month old field trial bred puppy through his step by step easy to follow training sessions. I had never before in 15 years of training taught a puppy this young to be steady. I watched Bill's video segments each day before our sessions, and I was able to teach my own pup the same lessons through his wonderful techniques. To my surprise, within weeks, my puppy was completely steady and I was able to do stand alone throws from over 40 yards away. Treat excelled in her early training, marking, confidence, patience and control. I now recommend Bill's "Training a Retriever Puppy" to all of my clients as I am confident that it teaches owners how to get the best start for their retrievers."

I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciated and enjoyed your DVD- Training A Retriever Puppy

I’m not new to the Retriever game having trained and handled 4 Master Hunters and with some success in the field Trial Game as a pure amateur.

I picked up my new puppy from Mary Howley-Candlewood Kennels- on September 19, 2009 and followed your DVD Program religiously.

Several times on the DVD you made the comment that the pup is learning all of these things and “he doesn’t even know it”. How true that statement is. My pup is now a little over 4 months old ad I am extremely happy with our progress. I would never have dreamed of introducing so many things at such a young age in the past. From my early perspective YOUR PROGRAM WORKS.

I wanted to attend your marking seminar in Cape Girardeau this past Fall but couldn’t make it. Please keep me on your mailing list for future events.

Dick Andrews, 2173 N 45th Road, LeLand, IL 60531

Hi Mary-

The DVD was absolutely terrific, just the tool we needed to get our new pup off to a good start. My husband and I have had Flat-Coats for over 25 years and run primarily in hunt tests (very occasionally Qualifying if we have one that's good enough.) We've just started a16 week old male and are following your DVD "by the book." We're thrilled with the results. Our little guy comes out happy, wanting to chase and find his bumpers and birds. He's getting steadier every session and is showing excellent focus all of which I attribute to Bill's wisdom and good daily lessons. This definitely will make training progressions so much easier for all of us.

I also want to compliment you on both the quality and the format of the DVD. It's easy to watch and very listener friendly-the voice over was a great idea. The pace and the daily repetitions are wonderful examples in and of themselves, making it really easy to understand how puppies learn and why they can't be rushed or pushed. (I'm an obedience trainer by profession-wish I'd had a dime for every time I've said "slow down, take it easy, do it again and again" to the puppy classes!)

Sorry to be so long-winded, but I just wanted to let you know how much we liked it. Any more in the future??

Good luck with your dogs, although I'm pretty sure that luck has nothing to do with all the success you've had. Your DVD definitely proves that! Thanks again, take care, Martha McCluskey

Tim Harris at Rugged Retrievers in CO wrote:

I feel personally this is the best retriever training video I've ever seen. Most videos show either the finished product being run on a set-up, which, don't get me wrong, is good. They show the trainer's finished product. Others show the start of training and then 3 weeks later here is where the dog is etc, etc. What I like about your video is the fact there is no off camera training. Absolutely perfect! This is what so many people need, but haven't been able to find. Over the years, I've had several clients tell me they wish there was a video that showed each day of training vs just showing the beginning and the end. Well now they have it. Your DVD is head & heels above the rest. You and Bill have done a great job! I encourage my clients with puppies and older dogs to buy a copy. There is such a wealth of information in this video.

What people say . . . . .. .. .

Reprinted with permission from a review by Dennis Voigt in an issue of Retrievers ONLINE (see www.retrieversonline.com)

Training a Retriever Puppy with Bill Hillman -a New DVD

I already know a couple of folks using this brand new DVD to train their puppy. They are all doing well and are really pleased with their progress. As long-time subscribers know, I always play hard ball on these reviews so what do I think? Well I only have two thumbs and this gets “Two Thumbs Up”. I like it and will share with you

precisely why in this review. Bill Hillman has had more Derby Champions than anybody! That alone is enough reason

to pay attention to what he has to offer. If you are serious about these games (aren’t we all?) then why would you not want to gain every advantage that you can? Can Bill get you thinking about how to train a pup? Can he challenge your current approach?

When I first watched this DVD I thought to myself “Interesting”, I do a lot of that – maybe not all but I’ve seen all these techniques before”. BUT, then I began to analyse and re-think this DVD for our subscribers. I began to look at it as a newbie might. I realized that this is NOT conventional. More importantly, I realized there are important merits to this schedule and approach. In this DVD, Bill shows 28 days of real time training sessions with a puppy over a time span of 2 ! months The puppy is 11 weeks old at the start. At the end of 28 days of training the puppy is 5 ! months old (a time span of 11 weeks). In other words, there are many days which the puppy is not formally trained. Most importantly,

the pup during these days gets many sessions of house time and one-on-one walks with Bill or family members.

Family members include Mary Hillman who played a major role in filming an editing this DVD. Together, Bill and Mary have created a DVD that has elements of professional DVDs with assorted nice “mood” introductory scenes and various cutaways throughout. Most of the footage has had sound over narration by Bill describing what the pup and what Bill is doing. This has a nice mood to it as Bill details what is going on and interprets what the puppy is doing. This is done in a quiet and friendly tone which I suspect is exactly how Bill would want you to approach your puppy training. On one day (Day 4) you will hear Bill’s every word as he trains the puppy. You get to hear his voice inflection and emphasis as well as how he vocally responds to the pup behaviour. Actually this turns out to be one of my biggest criticisms

this DVD. I would love to hear Bill talking to his pup more often. I want to hear him when he says “sit” and how he says it. I want to hear more on how he praises. I’d also like to know when he nicks the puppy with the e-collar –how much –how often. Sure I gain a sense of it by studying the DVD but I’m often left guessing. On the other hand I find Bill’s post filming narration to be very valuable as he is able to focus on the key behaviour that he wanted to encourage. This gives me insight into his approach to training.

How does Bill start a Puppy?

Answer: By teaching the pup in a fun and exciting way all the skills that the puppy needs before he starts more formal Basics training. I don’t know what Basic program, if any, Bill follows. For sure, his puppy at the end of this DVD is not ready to run/ win a Derby but also for sure his is more than prepared to enter any Basics programs as most of us know it. What does Bill do to foster the superb marking his dogs have demonstrated? We don’t yet know (Bill, give is the next installment now that we know how to start the pups!!!)

This video will really help newbies to exposé their puppy to all the basics that their puppy should have. We see Bill expose his puppy to leashes, sitting, distractions, e-collars, bumpers and birds and guns, coming when called, delivering, dealing with distractions, entering water, watching remote gunners and becoming steady SIT!!!!

OK here’s the buried treasure in my view. Bill teaches his puppies to be very steady and he introduces excitement differently than most conventional training. How do most do it? Most try to encourage and foster excitement and desire to retrieve. Even though we have carefully selected the best genetics in the country we try to foster retrieving desire. Is this really necessary? Don’t the pups have that genetically and automatically? We see those late bloomers but why do we doubt that they have the desire? So what do we do? We create a high excitement “fireworks” environment every day. The pup soon learns to come out learning and yearning for the fireworks. What does he get? The fireworks! No wonder we have creepers! What does Bill do? The opposite! He teaches sit very early and soon introduces the pup to steadiness as he throws the bumper himself. He does a routine he calls traffic cop but it is exactly the same as the Stand Alone Mark that Retrievers ONLINE readers have heard about for many years. The trainer throws the bumper, while the pup watches and then the pup is released to get the bumper and eventually delivers to the trainer. Because the handler is located between the bumper and the handler there is a lot of trainer presence and it is easy to get the pup to stay at short distances. Initially, this is done in a rather low key manner until the pup understands the desired behaviour. Gradually the excitement level and the distractions increases. I have done this for years with all my dogs but only after they have started Basics and been though Force Fetch and Collar Conditioning. By then the pup has had hundreds of exciting marks and is absolutely raring to go when he sees a gunner. Bill doesn’t introduce a gunner in the equation until about Day 25 in this DVD. At first even then it is just a quiet hand throw of a hand thrown bumper. Familiar technique? –Yes similar approach? No way. To counter all this steadiness Bill does a lot of happy bumpers to keep the excitement level of the pup high. Thus he is doing a lot of “Yes” go get it and a lot of “No” sit until I say. The pup surely sees the contrast and develops a lot of patience. Bill has an almost too small mini manual accompanying this DV. It gives a few sentences for each day. Many start with the line “After excitement retrieves”. For some pups this may be critical to foster retrieving drive. For our over the top dogs perhaps not! I wish the booklet was in fact a manual as it is certainly brief. It does provide a simple summary of the 28 days and I did find that very useful to over

see the method. This also allows you jump directly to the desired day and stage of training-the joy of DVD’s.

There is much more that I could describe but the issue is will this video help you develop a puppy in a better way? I have heard some comments that this approach (which is in some ways is free-wheeling but requires you to read your pup) might require a more experienced trainer who can read his puppy. That might be true if the novice casually watches the DV but once. I know that is commonplace as I hear people say “I watched the Rorem DVD on handling once” or “Yeah I saw the Lardy DVD-I know what he does!”. You cannot watch any of these videos once and expect to even begin to reap their benefits. You have to watch then over and over and you will see the subtleties that can help you train like the presenters. If you study Bill and the demo puppy, you too will learn how to do it even if you are a relative newbie. Bills day by day process is not a strict formula. I suspect he handles each puppy slightly differently. Study his philosophy, his attitude and his general sequence. Pay attention to how he tries to make the puppy think this is fun while he learns. Observe his patience but persistence when the pup doesn’t get it. There are a lot of lessons buried here.

In Summary

This DVD will influence how I train my next puppy!!! Enough said after playing with pups for so many years! I liked the format and the voice over. I would have liked to hear even more actual voice by Bill. The manual could have been expanded but is quite useful. I got the feeling mini sessions were missed as suddenly the pup starts sitting much better. Perhaps, more explanation of the e-collar frequency and intensity would help newer folks because that is an area that they always struggle with. If in doubt, less may be best. The video footage is good quality and the sound is certainly good enough. There is a nice mood with background guitar music and some nice photography including slow motion at the end. Overall, I think the DVD is a highly stimulating 3 hours that you can go back to and review segments as desired. It’s certainly on the pricey side for a puppy video at $129 but if we put things into perspective, it’s a bargain in the long run (1 weekend’s entry for 1 dog!) As I said Two Thumbs Up!

I can’t wait for BIll to produce his next video on “How to Make A Derby Champion!!!

I am convinced after watching Bill's video that there would be far fewer washouts in the retriever world if people followed Bills DVD to the letter. Keep it fun but maintain the standards and build the decide to retrieve A N D the desire to please. Sounds like a perfect solution for starting a lifetime of success with your pup. I have a new pup coming and I can't wait to train him with the Hillmann's methods . Tim West Arcadia Retrievers

On Fri, Apr 8, 2011 at 5:43 PM, <stevinsonjudy@aol.com> wrote:

Mary&Bill - - - A few sentenses could not cover what a difference your video has made in my training. Since buying your video my young dog training program has changed for good. We bought an 8wk old pup named Spirit that I used your program with and the results are unbelieveable. She is now 17 months old., and has qualified in 14 straight hunt tests. She has titled at the AKC Jr and Sr levels and has a NAHRA started title and also 2 Intermediate passes.All this being accomplished by being 100%steady as a running dog and at the honor postion she has been steady since the age of 15 weeks old. She runs with reckless abandonment but yet is stone steady at the line. I also shot over her in the duck blind at 14months old and used her as a pheasant guide dog for a youth hunt where she was 100% steady to running pheasants and chukar multiple birds being shot and she was perfect in the field. She is uncanny and we hope someday to cross paths and show you what this dog is capable of. I have fully endorsed your program and as a full time professional retriever trainer I tell every client and potential client if you want a head start and make your dog all it can be - to get your program.It is by far the best money spent for any retriever owner. I use your method with every retriever that I have the privledge to work with in one facet or another. Take care and as I said in the begininning thank you. Bill & Judy St.Clair WWW.Bluecollarretrievers.com .

Bill, I think your legacy in the field trial world and certainly the training and helping of us who may never reach the threshold of talent you posess, can only but surely be enhanced by teaching us what you have indeed experienced in a lifetime journey. The puppy DVD with Nick was and will always be a true asset that will stand the test of time. So, yes, please help us to learn all that we can. You know in the end, the dogs will be the better for it because you have shown us how to treat them and train them in a kind manner. A blog would be outstanding given the technology to reach so many. Thanks for your concern, interest, and kindness, Scott Miles

I first purchased your puppy DVD and thought it was a little costly until I watched it! Mr. Hillmann offers so much more then just dog training. He makes dog training fun again. I,m 69 this year and been training dogs ; either Labs or Spanials most of them. "I", like "You",was told their always had to be some pain and a rushed timetable in training. And that would take all the fun out of dog training for me and the dog.

. Now I Just received the Fetch DVD and have watch it. And back to the price once again. You can't put a price on quality.wonderful thoughts and great ideas. The only regret I have is I didn't have your product earlier in my life. I think your products are fresh and great and I would buy more of them. . It's so nice to see a different way to peel an apple and you are very very good at it. Thanks Richard Poulsen

daylpoulsen@yahoo.com 9.15.11

Hi Mary,

Found the DVD in my mailbox this evening and just finished watching it. In a word: Revolutionary. In reviewing the credits, with FT awards, were those dogs trained following the basic training featured in your video series? Btw I’m in love with your Senior Advisor! Wonderful to see Him getting the credit due!

Spring 2010, I started Wilma at 10 weeks of age on Bill’s first DVD. When she went to break out school as a 6mos I was told she was the best prepared/obedient pup they (Carol Kachelmeyer and Ann Siemen) have ever gotten in. Praise I attribute to her great start thru following DVD 1.

3 weeks ago puppy Fred joined the family and he and I are just beginning DVD 1 and I look forward to August or September to progress into the Fetch Command. I thank God for the gifts he has given me for the last 25 yrs of being involved in labrador games, and I am very thankful that He has passed these insights to Bill and you on respectful training methods.

I will let you know how the fetch command goes with with Fred. I can’t hardly wait to see marking training with a soft collar video!!

Once again thank you very much for taking this stand and producing these and more videos.

Look for Wilma and Fred running in Amateur in a few years.

Wilma AKA Jesus Saves

Fred AKA Ironwood Hoosier Healer

To God be the Glory

Sincerely,

Kit McClurg

Modesto CA

I am such a Fan of the Bill Hillman methodology of training puppies....

I am on my ninth pup now...that I have trained using methods and sequencing on your DVD.

As a Breeder I only want the best for my pups and my puppy customers and that means SUCCESS.

SUCCESS starts with a Solid Foundation of Training...and that equates to using your DVD. I recommend your DVD to all my puppy Customers.

Blessings, Karen

Redstar Kennels

Hemlock, MI. 48626

www.Redstarkennels.us

Dear Bill and Mary,

Just a short note to tell you how much I appreciate your work. I have three of the the four videos you have produced. They have been very educational and frankly, I believe they have opened my eyes and a lot of others to a new, better way of training our beloved retrievers.

One of the biggest changes to the more traditional ways of training that I see in your work is looking for and teaching "Contrasts in behavior". That is, rewarding the good behavior, and extinguishing the bad behavior by removing the reward. A far cry from punishment training! Far to often, we as trainers can let emotion dictate the lesson, and you do a remarkable job of not letting emotion enter into the picture. As they say, "Teach the lesson, don't lessen the teach".!

One of my favorite quotes.."The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be" --Konrad Lorenz, 1903-1989.

Keep up the great work, you and Mary are influential in the way we approch training our beloved animals.

With Kind Regards,

Don Wildes

1.23.12 don@gunsuplabs.com

Dear Mr. Hillman,

Training a Retriever Puppy video was, and still is, my Labrador Bible for guidance.

September 9th we came into possession of a beautiful 7 week old black lab whom we named Gunner.

Your knowledge shared through easy to understand step by step training techniques opened a door into a world previously considered most intimidating to me. Your soft spoken plain talk allowed me to think I too could succeed in guiding Gunner into becoming a great retriever companion.

Long before September 9th your video was listened to over and over while writing page after page of notes outlining important points you stressed. My loving wife Cyndy listened for hours from the kitchen somewhat a doubting Thomas I could muster the loving patience you profess throughout your video.

I will not lie I was afraid of failing my new pup in his training.

With a doubt filled mind and fear tugging at the heart I placed faith in God first with your video running a very close second, tit was at that point we began training.

Well, I’m here to say your words rang true as to what would happen if followed. The training your video taught me won those following days, months and year.

Mr. Hillman, please know Gunner is now a joy to watch and work in concert with in the field. Thank you from the bottom of both our hearts.

All the compliments he and I get belong to you sir. If not for Training a Retriever Puppy video none of that would be happening today.

I owe it all to your willingness to share years of professional training producing world champion dogs and a much deserved reputation as the best of the best.

May God richly bless you and your family with health and happiness now and in the days to come.

Sincerely and respectfully yours, Steven R. Higgins

1.23.12