Reviews by Dennis Voigt previously published in Retrievers ONLINE

PUPPY VIDEO - REVISED EDITION
Bill Hillmann’s first Puppy Training video has been very popular. It has helped a lot of first time retriever owners to get their puppy started in an easy and friendly way that was fun for both them and the puppy. Many people that used to train their puppies in a more conventional way have tried it and liked it. I am amongst those, having trained my last three puppies à la Hillmann-style. It emphasizes balance between excitement and obedience with the result that you end up with a puppy that can “sit” very solidly and still have a lot of go and good attitude. Puppies develop patience and, while they are never restrained from going, they learn to be steady and sit and watch marks at a very young age.

In the first video, Bill showed 28 days of training one puppy named Nick. This wasn’t 28 days in a row but over a period from 11 weeks to 5 months or so. A lot of people liked this approach and were able to “copy” it by going out and trying to do similar things in sequence. Since then, Bill has done quite a few workshops, four other videos and received a lot of feedback. He has also done a lot of thinking about the process of training a puppy and how best to teach it. I am sure that Bill had barely finished his video when he began to wish he had said this or done that and to think about ways to improve it. I suspect this is true of every trainer who has made an instructional video (including myself!)

The result of this is that Bill and Mary Hillmann have released a revised edition that is dramatically different in presentation, although the fundamental program is very similar. In the new edition, Bill presents far more explanation about how and why he does various things in the puppies’ development. There is a great deal of philosophy throughout which can be extended to older dogs beyond the puppy Basics. Thus, the new edition will appeal to experienced trainers even if they don’t currently have a puppy to train.

One of the biggest differences is that in this video we see several different dogs being taught the same lesson. While the original Nick is included, there are others that show different things. This will be invaluable to viewers. The sequence of lessons is similar but they are not presented as a set of training days. Instead, Bill discusses each lesson, shows it with several dogs and discusses what you are looking for, what to avoid, what NOT to be concerned about and when to move on.

Perhaps the biggest difference is that Bill is showing you how to develop the puppy rather than present a “how-to” set of steps. In his own words, he says:

“This is a training method dedicated to how you want your puppy to be, more than what you want your puppy to do.”

There are quite a few sections that cover things not included in the original. For example, Bill shows his wishbone drill, walking marks, the fire drill, the Y-drill and home plate (what I call “send backs”). His introduction of gunners is at the very end but it has more detail and explanation of what you are trying to achieve.

I really like that Bill has included a small 8 page booklet that lists his 20 chapters with a paragraph for each on contents. This is great for getting an overview or for jumping to a section for a review. The following is a list of the chapter headers.

  1. Getting Started
  2. Building Slightly on the First Lesson
  3. Balance – Introduction to Water
  4. Making the Training Session the Highlight of the Day
  5. Reinforcing Sit vs. Correction on Sit
  6. Introducing Here – Starting to Wear the Collar
  7. Continuing to Build
  8. Starting Traffic Cop
  9. Introduction to the Whistle – Early Stages of Traffic Cop – Feeding
  10. More Early Stages of Traffic Cop
  11. Introduction to Birds
  12. Starting Collar Conditioning on Sit
  13. Starting Hold – Starting Fetch as Excitement
  14. More Collar Conditioning – Practicing Hold
  15. Two Kinds of Puppy Marks
  16. An Indoor Session – Here Command from Sit Position
  17. Introducing Hold on the Return
  18. Sit Command Reinforced Using Collar, Line, Whistle
  19. Extending Distance on Traffic Cop – Intro to a Double
  20. Marks – With throwers – Walking marks – Fire Drill – Y-Drill – Home Plate
The videos comes on two disks and is just over 5 hours long in total. ​

Fundamentals Land/Water:
Bill Hillmann’s latest video follows from his widely accepted earlier puppy videos. We have reviewed all three of those including: Training a Retriever Puppy; The Fetch Command and; Traffic Cop. These videos covered the early steps in training a puppy to be a willing and happy retriever that was reliable on basic commands such as sit, here and fetch. The Fetch Command video showed a method of reinforcing fetch that was low pressure and unlike the ‘grind them down’ ear-pinching techniques of some trainers. Traffic Cop emphasized reinforcing “sit” and the use of the “soft collar” as Bill refers to it. Basically, e-collar uses involve a lot of low level (1-2) nicks while the dog is in the act of a desired behaviour like sit. [read more]

Puppy Video:
I already know a couple of folks using this brand new video 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. [read more]

Fetch Command Video:
Working retrievers must fetch without question when commanded. A failure to fetch is a failure to retrieve to hand. Many decades ago trainers developed ways of ensuring that dogs complied. They called this force fetch or force breaking with good reason because “force” was the operative word. Most trainers used an ear pinch to reinforce the fetch behaviour. Some Pointer trainers used a toe hitch which a few later retriever trainers also adopted. Finally, some used the e-collar either at the end of force fetching or in some cases exclusively. [read more]

Traffic Cop:
In past issues of Retrievers ONLINE, I have reviewed three of Bill Hillmann's videos including Training a Retriever Pup, Training any Breed of Dog with the Soft Collar and The Fetch Command. In those reviews, I gave some details on Bill's approach to training and his techniques, especially when they differed from conventional. I have become a solid advocate of his puppy training emphasis on balance between fun/excitement and control, notably with sit and patience. [read more]

Training Your Pet with the Electric Collar - The "Soft Collar Method":
This brand new video is a guide to training your pet on three basic commands – Sit, Here and No – using the electric collar as a reinforcement tool. So what are we doing here in Retrievers ONLINE reviewing a video on how to train a pet? The answer is that the author is Bill Hillmann is a successful field trial retriever trainer who is worth studying for his methodology. Studying this video not only gives you insight into how Bill approaches training in general but also insight into his techniques and philosophy. On the principle that you can learn something from everything, I carefully watched this video. [read more]

What People Say

Hello Bill & Mary Hillmann,

I recently started with a new pup and decided to use Bill's program. This will probably be my last pup since I'm 74 years old. I just wanted to let you both know how thrilled I am with the results to date.

A couple of things I've managed to do over the last several years is photography and keeping a detailed journal (besides training). The two efforts are combined into a Website. I'm sending the links to all of the efforts put into a pup called Pounce. The centerpiece of her training is your program. It is going well!

I belong to the Madison Retriever Club and plan to "aim high" with Pounce.

http://kwicklabs.com/PounceFirstTwoMonths.htm

Hopefully the link works.

Thank you both, Jim Boyer

Hi Mary,

As far as how the training worked for me - "Dazzle,"  a nine month old Golden Retriever, seems to progress very well, step by step and always maintained a high level of enthusiasm. I would re-watch and re-watch the video's which was good because Bill continued to remind me to be very animated and happy with her to keep her attitude up along with and maintaining balance. Mary it flat out works! She looks forward to training and has a huge desire to retrieve, learn and continues to progress. Training Dazzle is fun because she has fun and and has taken to your methods.

Thanks again,
Dave Carlson

Hello Bill and Mary,   (This note refers to “Training a Retriever Puppy”)

Just a note to say that I feel your video’s are the Best in the business. I have trained for over 35 years….much of the time K-9. However, for the last 18 years we have been breeding British Labs.

We now require all our clients to purchase the puppy video when buying a pup. I feel this is the best possible way to insure that they have a good understanding of Balance. It has worked very well for our program. Thanks So Much!! 

All our best from Five Oaks British Labs. We hope God continues to Bless you in your Efforts.

Yours truly,
Jim Sawyers


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you so much!!!!

“The Art & Science of Raising a Puppy” has been a long time coming......and who better to do the teaching.
I admit...I am from the old school; your videos have changed my approach to all my training philosophies. This has been a God send for me and my staff. 

Thank you
Jim Sawyers

Bill and Mary Hillmann,

I would like to apologize for not responding with an update/reply about the video. I was very excited to have it and I still am excited.

I wanted to give you information about me just to fill in some gaps. My name is Sascha Barrow and I have been around Labrador Retrievers my whole life. My dad is David Barrow and he competes in Field Trials and Hunt Tests. I have always helped him with training and I have also helped with Club events where they needed me as a "birdboy" or even as a cook. I have never actually trained my own dog before. In September the Mid-Atlantic Hunting Retriever Club held an event and Jim Elam of Lake Country Retrievers donated a 4 month old puppy to the general raffle. I was lucky enough to have my ticket drawn. So now I am training my first Retriever. My fiancé, Jason, and I have named him Sweethall's Lake Country Outlaw, Bandit.

My Dad recommended that I train him using Mr. Hillmann's video and method.  I am not a complete stranger to the world of retrievers, but I certainly feel as if I don't know a thing about it and had trouble trying to figure out where to begin. This video has been fantastic! I am very happy with the results and the method.  Bandit has taken to it and loves it as much as I do. Mr. Hillmann's wisdom and advice has been a big help for me and it has really helped to enlighten me about the training process.

I can't thank you enough for making such an amazing video.  I truly believe in my puppy and I am excited to keep training him and watching him develop and learn.

Thank you again,
Sascha Barrow

Oh gosh, Bill’s video’s are very detailed with real time action. So much of the time the trainer shows a dog that does everything perfectly without showing the progression and the mistakes.

I like Bill’s video’s because they are not rough like so many trainers are. Bill’s emphasis that not going forward from one thing to the next without making sure the dog is solid first is really important.

His e-collar methods are excellent. There is no reason to Light Up a dog. You can get there with just a light nick and progress from there. But pros get in a hurry and look for short cuts.

I think his interaction and love for dogs really shows in his video’s. Some trainers it seems dogs are just a vehicle to go get a bird, instead of showing the relationship between the dog and handler.

The other thing I like is showing how to play with your dog. I found myself being much too serious and not making it fun for my dog. I felt like we weren’t moving ahead and couldn’t figure out why.  It turned out to be because I didn’t make it fun.

I am a show dog person with a golden that loves birds. She’s very much like Tart in the latest videos. I work with a lot of other show people and want to help them get going. Some show dogs will not pick up birds. I think that Bill’s videos are excellent for people to understand how to get their show dog to pick up birds. I didn’t have that problem thankfully, but even some field bred dogs have that problem. But Bill’s style is excellent in that regard. So I’ve been sharing it quite a bit with people that don’t know how to make the bird connection.

Sometime it would be fun to attend one of Bill’s seminars.

Sincerely,
Stacey Dean

Your video's on puppy training gave us a good foundation to build on when we got back to training after an 8 month lay off. (Work trumped retriever training.) We're on our 3rd week of Single T. Most of the bumps were worked out on Force to the Pile. Spinning, pops, hesitations. Most happened when we began Stop to pile. Since then, Single T has been almost too easy, tremendous momentum from both pups. We've been able to get some timely reinforcement to the back pile when I introduced a silent cast for what had always been verbal. That one pup started to go, took a half turn back to me to ask - what? Huh? Back - nick - Back fixed that immediately. Though I have to admit, I've missed one or two good opportunities to reinforce, things happen very fast and there's plenty to think about and prepare for. Your advice has been invaluable, thank you.

Walt

Bill & Mary,

I wanted to share a little about my 9 month old puppy that I started with the Training a Retriever Puppy video.

Some background... A couple years ago, I had heard so many great things about your puppy video that I decided to buy it to help me bring out the "chase" in a 7 1/2 month old lab that I had recently acquired. The pup was a from a very nice breeding, but was washed out by the pro trainer after just a few weeks because she wouldn't retrieve. She really would not retrieve. I credit your puppy video with really helping me to understand the training balance necessary to get the most out of this pup.

Get the chase going first!

It took several months to get this dog to chase anything not wild (she would chase squirrels, chipmunks, and mice but had little interest in bumpers, balls, or even clip-wing pigeons). I'm running that dog this weekend for her MH title. She has also JAMed a very tough Qualifying stake.

Thanks! Glen Guider

Hey Guys,

I wanted to touch base with you regarding the progression of your videos. I bought my folks a puppy by Wing Magic's Louisiana Roux about 4 months ago. It was strongly suggested by a friend of mine that they get your "Training a Retriever Puppy" video so my folks ordered it. The progression they've made, this being the first retriever my dad has trained at 61, has blown my mind. My Dad can't get enough of that dog and he's seeing the progress and I'm afraid that it's turning into an obsession. They're to the point where they're in need of moving forward in the progression of videos and with Christmas coming up, I thought it might be a good idea to get them a video or two so they can move forward in training.

Please let me know what you suggest.

Thanks for all you're doing!

Trent Goree

Hi Mary,

I just order the retriever fundamentals part 1 land so I thought I would give you comments about the puppy training video. I guess it's probably obvious that I liked the puppy video since I'm continuing on with the next video.

Actually, I loved the video and had great success using it! I don't have a lot of training experience but thought it was well laid out and really simplified the process. One aspect that really blew me away was teaching the dog that sit also means stay and contrary to older training approaches, this doesn't reduce the desire to retrieve. It only took one correction for my pup to get this and now she has a terrific sit and is pretty dang steady for not even being 6 months old yet. The other aspect I really like was Bill's positive attitude toward training and the dog itself rather then trying to grind through each lesson. As soon as my attitude toward training improved so did my puppy's and it's really stress free. As much as both of us enjoyed our training sessions before it's that much better now.

As I said before, my training experience is pretty limited but I know the video did wonders because I took my puppy to a pro trainer a few weeks ago for an evaluation and he was very impressed. He watched her sit from a heel as I dropped the leash and walked off and then came back and tugged on the leash and she just sat there. I threw a bumper from my side and she was rock steady. I even walked away from her and threw another one and she didn't move an inch. The trainers assessment was that he just doesn't get puppies that age that are that advanced.

Thanks

Mike

Hi Mary,

I am so fortunate to have the teachings that Bill has learned over the years. I was watching your blog on Traffic Cop and knew this is the hole in my training of my young dog. I also train competitive obedience and train now with Bridget Carlsen who also thinks like Bill! Wanting the dog to enjoy his work and therefore giving all of his effort to play the game and be a teamplayer with style.

I can't thank you enough for all the time and effort you have spent to bring us the Best Way to train your retriever!!! I will let you know how I progress after I have watched the entire video and applied it.

Marcia Johnson

Mary:

Bills method has been very successful with my dog. We won the 2nd Derby we entered at 16 months of age and placed 4th in another. We live in Montana and the Field Trial season is over, now its time to go hunting.

He is doing great on Ducks & Pheasants. Our plan is to get to a few early spring trials before he turns 2 in April. Thank you and Bill for providing the great training tools for amateurs like myself.

Regards John

Bill,

Several years ago, I purchased a pup from a breeder of pointing labs in Decatur, TX (MaryAnn & Matt Byerly) . I decided I would train this pup myself and asked the Byerlys if they had any suggestions. Your name was mentioned and I purchased your CD.

I used a combination of your CD for puppy training, a book by the Knutson's to understand pointing lab work and then George Hickox CDs for finishing out the pointing dog work. Each piece of material had its place and they all worked collectively.

While I had a variety of training materials to point me in a direction, it was your training materials that set the foundation for a happy, enthusiastic pup. I want to thank you for introducing a "new school" way to train a lab without harsh punishment methods (the "old school"). I have a wonderful family pet, that responds in the field like a dream. Delivery to hand (without severe force fetch) thanks to you. Further, I did no harsh treatments at all ( I learned that from you), again thanks. Bella is her name, and we hunt ducks and she has done well, but primarely we hunt upland (quail and pheasants) and that is were she excels.

I have been wanting to write and thank you for some time. I really appreciate your instruction, it is absolutely the best.

Again many thanks. Have a great New Year.

Regards,

Don

Hi, Mary!

I cannot tell you enough how much I LOVE Bill's methods. I bought the "Traffic Cop" video last summer, spent the last few months implementing it, and am reaping the rewards now from using them. My eight month old flat coat puppy, Bailey, is doing wonderfully in the field, and has better line manners than many of the older dogs in our training group. "Traffic Cop" has most certainly been the key factor in getting there; okay, and consistency and starting early don't hurt either. One of the other gals in our group was so impressed that she went and bought all four of Bill's videos on my recommendation.

I would recommend "Traffic Cop" to anyone (and I have done that many times) and cannot wait to start with the fetch work. I've even thought about buying the puppy video and going through that with my girl as well. Couldn't hurt!

I will let you know how the fetch work goes with Bailey. I have gone through force-fetch training with other dogs of mine, and to be honest, have really struggled with the intense pressure put on the my dog. It doesn't feel good at all to fry a dog on a three or a four on the collar and to be told that's not high enough. I'm looking forward to Bill's calm way of training a dog that gets results without abusing the poor animal.

Thanks so very much for offering this video series. It has made a huge difference for me and my dog!

Take care,

Diana Martin-Gruenler

Dear Mary Hillmann,

I found the Hillman puppy retriever training video to be the most inspirational puppy retriever training video that I've had the pleasure to enjoy. Trust me. I've seen quite a few. I think Bill's out of the box approach sets the standard for where puppies can be out 5 1/2 months. I could feel the intense drive that Bill got out of his dog, Nick, through a series of simple repetitive drills, constant praise, and sincere passion. I've changed my approach to training my puppies, as a result. I could see the advantages on the first day. My pups are only 10 weeks old at this point. I'll keep you posted on their progress. I have to take a week off beginning for fishing. While I love fishing, I almost hate to miss the week of training after watching Bill work his magic. I certainly hope I have the pleasure of meeting both of you some day. Thank you both for taking the time to make this outstanding training video. This is clearly the best value for the money puppy training video that I've had the pleasure to peruse. It is money justly spent. Both of you should be quite proud.

Regards, John Cole

Dear Mary,

I found the Hillman puppy retriever training video to be the most inspirational puppy retriever training video that I've had the pleasure to enjoy.  Trust me.  I've seen quite a few.  I think Bill's out of the box approach sets the standard for where puppies can be out 5 1/2 months.  I could feel the intense drive that Bill got out of his dog, Nick, through a series of simple repetitive drills, constant praise, and sincere passion.  I've changed my approach to training my puppies, as a result.  I could see the advantages on the first day.  My pups are only 10 weeks old at this point.  I'll keep you posted on their progress.  I have to take a week off beginning for fishing.  While I love fishing, I almost hate to miss the week of training after watching Bill work his magic.  I certainly hope I have the pleasure of meeting both of you some day.  Thank you both for taking the time to make this outstanding training video.  This is clearly the best value for the money puppy training video that I've had the pleasure to peruse.  It is money justly spent.  Both of you should be quite proud.  

Regards,

John Cole

Bill and Mary,

I just wanted to write to say a quick thank you for the blog (looks great!) and for getting your training methods out to the public. I am currently training a very high drive but very sensitive little (37 lbs at 9 mo) blf that has done great through your methods. I'm not so sure she would be doing as well with other more traditional training methods for starting retrievers.

Bill, I think you have really changed the way the retriever community trains. I always knew there was a better way to start dogs than what we have done in the past. Your accomplishments and standing in the field trial world have opened a lot of people's eyes to what is in my opinion a better training method. Thank you both for the great work you've done in the videos and the blog. Keep up the great work with the dogs and I'll try to do the same on my end.

Sincerely,
Dustin Pate

I first purchased your puppy videos and thought it was a little costly until I watched it! Mr. Hillmann offers so much more than 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 there 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 videos and have watched 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

Mary & Bill, A few sentences 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 8 wk old pup named Spirit that I used your program with and the results are unbelievable. 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 position. 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 privilege to work with in one facet or another. Take care and as I said in the beginning - - - Thank you, Bill & Judy St.Clair

6 months later Bill writes:

Just wanted to let you know Our Spirit has accomplished some amazing feats over the last few weeks I ran her in 6 hunt tests over a span of 3 weeks well she passed 5 including 3 NAHRA seniors "master level" and 1 intermediate "AKC senior level" and her first AKC master pass she is now 24-25 hunt tests and had gone 23 straight with out a failure....... now here's the kicker in her first Master she was dog three., #1 and #2 broke actually never saw the third bird go down after a flyer #2 diversion bird at about 35 yards away.... Spirit never moved!!!! Bill what can I say your program works and I continue to build upon it as my training foundation.... I have a new pup and was told good luck steadying him Spirit must have been a Fluke well he is six months and is steady too.... it took a little longer but he does not move at the line so much for being a Fluke I just wanted to give you the update and say Thank you I emphasize your teachings to all my clients and to prospective ones as well.... Some day our paths will cross I am sure of this, and I will shake your hand take care and Have a great day.... Bill St.Clair
Blue Collar Retrievers

I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciated and enjoyed your video- 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 video Program religiously.

Several times on the video 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.

Dick Andrews,

LeLand, IL

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."

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 possess, can only but surely be enhanced by teaching us what you have indeed experienced in a lifetime journey. The puppy video 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.

Thanks for your concern, interest, and kindness,

Scott Miles

Wow!! Where to start.....I first learned of the video's on RTF, and heard nothing but good reviews and bought the puppy and Fetch. I have trained several gun-dogs over the last 20 years, and struggled at times with FF and steadiness. I bought a very well bred black lab bitch this past summer and wanted to just do the training differently, and your video's have been the perfect ticket. My pup is 8 months old, and is probably farther along than any dog I have ever trained, and it was so much easier on me and her. I very much appreciate the videos and will be ordering more as they become available. There are many on RTF that are looking for newer ways, and even though the Smartworks and Lardy methods work, I believe Bill has a better way....... Thanks, Barry McLain

Hi Mary,

Found the video 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 video. When she went to break out school as a 6 mos 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 video 1.

3 weeks ago puppy Fred joined the family and he and I are just beginning video 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 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.

To God be the Glory

Sincerely,

Kit McClurg

Modesto CA

Wow! Right from the opening I liked everything that Bill said and everything that Bill did. It was as if his program was tailor made to fit my personality and my learning and training attributes. It is about fun and excitement. It is about building a deep relationship with your dog. As Bill says:

"The most important part to the beginning stages of training is to develop a relationship with the puppy that will create a bond and a partnership. This will be based on respect and kindness. This will create a partnership that will last forever."

The video is packed with general philosophy such as this that applies to the time you spend with your pup beginning on your first day together, whether you are playing, walking, feeding, crate training, house-breaking, etc. The specific mechanics that Bill begins demonstrating in Day 1 can easily be adapted to indoor play/training in the early days before the pup is ready for formal outdoor sessions. Bill teaches that advancement in skills and concepts should be presented in small increments - - so small that the pup may not realize that he is learning something new.

Bill also shows us how to develop our instincts to read and manage our dog's energy. His method is free flowing and allows room for creativity from the trainer. Bill has organized a format for all the things that I enjoy about training my dog. And it includes some very important elements that had been sorely lacking from my capabilities. Namely, a method for force fetch and a method for learning to use the e-collar that are 100% compatible with the relationship that I want to have with my dogs.

Colleen and I, and our 5 Goldens, are a work in progress. We feel really good about the kind of progress we are making using Bill's philosophy and methods.

Thanks,
Jim Wegner

I am convinced after watching Bill's video that there would be far fewer washouts in the retriever world if people followed Bills video to the letter.

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.

Keep it fun but maintain the standards and build the decide to retrieve A N D the desire to please.

Tim West

Arcadia Retrievers

Dear Bill -

BIG NEWS -- your method works. Thank you!

My wife and I watched your video multiple times before our puppy was born. Having trained my own retrievers for 40 years and apprenticed with some of the best out there (Bert Carlson, Paul Shoemaker (briefly), Doug Orr and Roy & Jim Gonia), it was hard to change my ways. My wife was persistent and won out.

Now @ 5 months Maat, out female lab puppy: 1) Automatically sits when we get to a door, gate or fence. 2) Sits while I go out 50 -60 yards and throw a wide double and come back and send her. 3) Sits with her parents while i go out 80-90 yards and throw a duck to a salted area to ensure success. 4) Does the retrieve when I call her and delivers to me in the remote position. 5) She'll sit by my side and honor her parents when it's their turn. 6) Retrieving and honoring her parents while my wife shoots and throws ducks. 7) She sits and does puppy overs and backs. 8) She sits while I walk over the chip pile, log or turned over picnic bench. Then she comes on a line after I've called her. Then she does the subsequent retrieve over the obstacle. 8) She sits and will grab the bumper when I say fetch....

Maat still has one puppy incisor left to lose, so it will be another 3 or 4 weeks before we start force breaking. She should sail through this quite well.

The point to all this is that she is a very happy puppy whose never had a bad day in her life. She is a very aggressive retriever whose first move, when I let her out of the kennel, is to run around into the kennel room. She sits in front of the shelf where her bucket of puppy bumpers are and barks at it. She sits and stretches her neck out to put on the collar because it's a preface to getting to retrieve.

She is farther ahead at this stage than any other puppy I have trained. Over the years I've trained 3 field champions, including her great-grandmother (Magic's Black Pearl and her great aunt (Timshal).

Gently and persistently making SIT a way of life for the puppy advances them faster and more easily than what I was doing before.

A possible name for your method of training would be Tao. It's pronounced (D-eow) with a 'd' and the last syllable like meow. Grandmaster Jim Garrison, 9th degree black belt in Hapkido Karate, trains retrievers. He gave me this word when I asked him. It means 'the gentle way' and seems to fit.

Sorry to run on this long, but your method works really well with aggressive, hard going dogs. Maat and I really appreciate your insight.

Thanks again,

John Ball

P.S. We recommended your video to all of the people who got our
puppies.

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 video.

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 video.

The Bill Hillmann videos are a fantastic step by step method that walks you toward gaining that training success. I recommend your video to all my puppy Customers.

Blessings,

Karen Gilbert

Redstar Kennels

Hemlock, MI.

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, it 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

Jennifer Broome at Quinebaug Kennel in Connecticut wrote:

Bill Hillmann's video "Training your Pet with the Electronic Collar" is a wonderful video. Many dog owners are intimidated by remote electronic training collars simply because they do not know how to properly use them, or they have seen them misused. Bill's "soft collar" method uniquely combines play time, teaching, and reinforcing in a clear step by step program that all dogs can not only grasp quickly, but most importantly they readily and happily enjoy the methods. A dog that has been trained fairly and properly to the remote electronic training collar not only enjoys more free off leash time, their owners equally feel at ease knowing that they can safely control their pets and reinforce the all important recall command. Another great video Bill!

Dear Bill and Mary,

Just a short note to tell you how much I appreciate your work. I have three of 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 too 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 approach training our beloved animals.

With Kind Regards,

Don Wildes

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 video 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.

Hi Mary-

The video 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 a 16 week old male and are following your video "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 video. 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 video definitely proves that!

Thanks again, take care, Martha McCluskey

Hi Bill & Mary,

I just finished watching the video entirely. I appreciated Bill's thorough explanations & demonstrations. This is the best video I've seen for training basic obedience commands. It allows you to see the dog make mistakes then learn from them. Bill demonstrates in detail from day one (placing the dog in position & teaching the commands) to increasing distance and reinforcement with the soft collar. I feel good for the dogs whose owners use this video. Bill obviously understands dogs, training & how to use the electronic collar properly. It's a video that not only dog owners will appreciate but also the dogs! I highly recommend this video to anyone that wants to train their own dog. I didn't intend for the above paragraph to be a review but it could be (smile). I was just putting my feelings in writing to you.

Susan Pilkerton

Waller, TX

Owner: Sunsplash Competition Obedience ( currently in Waller, TX ) & A Better Companion Dog Training (previously in Houston, TX) 30 years experience teaching puppy, basic & competition obedience along with teaching advanced tracking. Breeder of Obedience and Agility Champion Golden Retrievers.

Trained 9 Golden Retrievers to the highest level in obedience competition. All are in the Obedience Hall of Fame and were/are nationally ranked, (5-OTCH, 5-TDX, 5-Perfect Scores, numerous agility, hunting titles and more).

Hi Mary, I don't know if I can properly articulate the excitement I have towards starting to train now. This video finally cracked the mystery that was totally eluding me about "retriever training". I had no idea where to begin and it was very frustrating for me.

My feedback on the video is based on my being a person with "0" Field or retrieving background...

I have went out to see people train for sure... Every year I sign up for lessons and get board with the instructions and assignment... as everyone is so far advanced, I ended up just watching in awe as my dogs eyes glazed over. Everyone there already knew what they were doing, I felt defeated ..maybe more overwhelmed, before I even started.

I do train my dogs for CD level obedience and Rally Obedience and we do get perfect scores and high in trials so training with goals is what I'm used to...

I have to say, this is the FIRST video (and I have bought a few) that makes "sense" to me. day by day training... wow so common sense now. Just simple things to build on.

It is just like how I train for obedience... bits at a time until they all come together. Only this time it is a slightly different skill set... and simplified so that I could follow it and do so knowing there was going to be long term gains.

I love that the puppy was not anxious or stressed as I have seen at classes and a trial I went to. The puppy was eager to please and confident. really enjoyed watching the puppy grow and the instructions build, on every success the puppy had. (Although I have to admit seemed a bit unreal how fast that puppy was advancing... LOL )

Thanks for basically putting a video video together that a lay person can watch, understand and get excited about using it to train their puppy. I can't wait to get started...

One question though... how old was the puppy at the week one start ?? I hope I didn't miss that as I thought I heard 8 weeks...but ... no ... really ???

Laura

Mary thank you so much for getting the video sent off so quickly! I have really enjoyed your puppy training video and cant wait to get my hands on the Fetch Video! The puppy training video has put my dog so far ahead of the other dogs that I have seen. I have people come to my house that are just amazed at how behaved she is. She knows sit means sit!! Thank you so much and I really cant wait to start the fetch portion. I have pasted some links in the bottom of this email of my puppy at a couple different stages in his development. Super happy with the puppy training video and cant wait to purchase the basic training land version!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

Video 1 | Video 2

Brady Crane

Hillmans program will transition well to any advanced program. His program instills a rock solid foundation to work from. I bought my first Lab in 1983 and have trained and worked with many over the years. I can honestly say the $130.00 bucks for that video was the best $130 I ever spent on dog training. It not only teaches a good foundation but more importantly PREVENTS so many undesirable traits.

Disclaimer: I don't' know the Hillmans and don't make anything from them.

Randy

Hello Mary, I am new to retriever training, starting to get really involved last September. I have been doing agility with my Labs and decided it was time to get a young dog for that purpose. I ended up getting an almost two year old yellow Lab. She was a kennel dog intended for breeding but languished in the kennel with no training or socializing. She was incredibly timid and supposedly had no retrieving drive. I discovered she wanted to retrieve but was almost afraid to. Soon as I gave her permission and made it fun she was amazing. A friend doing retriever training invited me to a club training day and I was hooked. Kaiya is really an amazing marker and has fantastic style on land and in the water. Our greatest setback has been my lack of direction and real understanding of how to train the basics/yard work/obedience etc.etc. My training friends have been helpful with recommending lots of reading material, lending me various videos and of course offering advice. Training hold and fetch was really a struggle. I had my stool and roller on the front porch and we did nothing but get frustrated. Finally one of my training partners lent me The “Fetch Command” by Bill Hillman. It worked immediately, and was fun and easy. When I saw the “Fundamentals part 1 land” video I decided this was what I needed to give me the direction and wear with all to work with to catch up and advance. We had been doing most of the fundamentals as shown on your you tube video’s but now with Fundamentals, Bill outlines the steps and clarifies the processes with more information. What I needed too was reassurance and reminders it takes time and patience and lots of practice. Right now our biggest challenge is the whistle sit once she has momentum.

Bill, I really appreciate your philosophy and methods.

Thanks, Lynne Johnson

Mary, What an outstanding video! Ingenious approach for a puppy and I picked up on many different techniques to use on my new pup! I just love the happy attatude of that puppy.I have to admit that the purchase price caused me to hesitate but the information in this video is Priceless!.

Thanx again Tom Pritchard & " Gauge"

I cant say enough good things about the puppy video that Bill put together. I have watched it at least seven times and keep going back through it to make sure that Im doing this right!This is my fifth dog and every one leads me to be a little more refined in my training aspects. But watching Bill and seeing the difference with a Happy puppy is making a world of difference to my pup!And the balance is another key element to being successful. So far this puppy is coming along great. He turned 11 weeks today and he is one happy little guy and getting smarter by the day. Thanks for putting together such an informative video for us rookie traines. It truly makes a great difference, Tom Pritchard

Mary & Bill,just wanted to thank and congratulate you on the training videos. Your material is great. Started with puppy then fetch and just into fundamentals on FTP. Just happened to visit your site and see water fund.,just in time for summer. I feel very lucky to have gotten my puppy at the right time to coincide with the release of these new videos. Please,keep up the great work your doing for us and our dogs.

Karl Workman Georgetown, Delaware