Duck hunters with dogs... Need advice!

[Dchilds]

I was in your shoes last fall and did a lot of research on training programs. Look at Bill Hillmann's "Training a Retriever Puppy". Hillmann has the most high point derby dogs of any pro. I was turned on to him by my local HRC - Lone Star. His program is fantastic. All the fuel you need is in the genetic makeup of the pup - the desire to retrieve. He uses a soft collar approach that is not the "burn 'em" approach most people think of when they see an eCollar.

My pup is 4 months now. He was sitting, heeling, here'ing, kenneling and responding to whistle commands by 3 months. He's been introduced to the eCollar, birds, water and singles and double marks.

I attended Hillmann's recent seminar and couldn't have been happier. Check the program out and ask others about it. You'll see it all over the place over on Duck Hunting Chat.

Good luck and if you want any more info PM me. I'm glad to share the little I know!

Derek

[Duck_hunter11]

I was in your shoes last fall and did a lot of research on training programs. Look at Bill Hillmann's "Training a Retriever Puppy". Hillmann has the most high point derby dogs of any pro. I was turned on to him by my local HRC - Lone Star. His program is fantastic. All the fuel you need is in the genetic makeup of the pup - the desire to retrieve. He uses a soft collar approach that is not the "burn 'em" approach most people think of when they see an eCollar.

My pup is 4 months now. He was sitting, heeling, here'ing, kenneling and responding to whistle commands by 3 months. He's been introduced to the eCollar, birds, water and singles and double marks.

I attended Hillmann's recent seminar and couldn't have been happier. Check the program out and ask others about it. You'll see it all over the place over on Duck Hunting Chat.

Good luck and if you want any more info PM me. I'm glad to share the little I know!

Derek

Good looking dog

[Reaper33]

Dog Trainers

Ok guys I talked to my friends and here is the info i got. These are to answer the questions to the PM's i got. I hope this helps.


Boomer (3x grand national champ) was trained by Jeff Chesnut at Wa****a Retrievers in Rush Springs, OK. Jeff is a great guy and does amazing things with training retrievers. He trained Buddy, for me and has Ruff right now as we prepare for the HRC Grand in Alabama in April. I bought a pup in August and he will be going to Jeff in May as well, he would be my first choice, but it is a 2 1/2 hour drive to visit.

I would also personally recommend Orie Mathews with Wolf Creek Retrievers he is in Caddo, TX, just east of Dallas. Orie is a close friend and does a really good job as well.

There are several others I do not have any personal experience with Angie Becker is with Tioga Retrievers in Tioga, TX, and J.C and Chuck Strange with Cripple Creek Retrievers in Decatur.

The retriever clubs are easy to find depending on what you want to focus on AKC or HRC/UKC a simple web search will find any of them.

Big D HRC both AKC & HRC primarily a Dallas based club Orie Mathews is the Club Pro they meet in Dallas.
Cowtown HRC primarily an HRC / UKC club that is mostly based in Ft. Worth JC Strange is the club pro and they meet at Cabelas
Lonestar HRC is an HRC / UKC club that is primarily Dallas based and I don't think that they have a club pro
DFW Metro Alliance is an AKC club that hosts two AKC tests a year but I do not know much about them other that it is in reality a Golden Retriever Club.

Training grounds that is a $64,000 question, everyone wants training grounds and they are a well kept secret. They can join any of these clubs for $25 / year and gain access to their training days throughout the year. Most public lands are available Grasslands, Corps of Engineers, Lake Lavon, Ray Roberts, Grapevine Lake, State or Corps Parks, and even vacant lots if done with discretion and the group does not get too large. I use the forgiveness vs permission program in most cases as there are some liability issues if you track down an owner and try to get permission. I train on vacant lots in my neighborhood for young dog stuff and good land is readily available with some research, good water is another story altogether.

[tmkrueger]

Thanks for your help Jacoby

[Reaper33]

Thanks for your help Jacoby

no problem brother. Hope it does help

[Clintbow]

If you spend enough time with a dog training him and loving on him than you will not need a shock collar. I bought on and used it one time. Of course, a good bloodline helps A LOT.

[hopedale]

Thanks what's everyone's opinions on shock callers?

You need to start off with basic obedience first.

A great video to get started is Duck Dog Basics. Chris Akin gives you some great pointers and exercises to do with your dog.

After you've got the basics down, if you still feel you need to go to an e-collar, I was told Mike Lardy's, "Total e-collar conditioning," is a great video for the novice.

http://www.gundogsupply.com/lardydvd.html

You don't want to screw your dog up.

If done right, your dog will see that e-collar and start jumping with excitement as she knows its go out the house time.

[Bill's Unlimited]

As far as e-collars - When I pull the collar off the charger my lab starts bouncing off the walls with excitement for me to put it on him. He completely associates it with time to go do his job.

[Storm]

I offered my books but just to let you know I was also a trainer a few years back so you can ask me any question you may have. Best of all I'm free.

[Duck_hunter11]

I offered my books but just to let you know I was also a trainer a few years back so you can ask me any question you may have. Best of all I'm free.

I'll text you later this evening so we can figure out arrangement on the books

[Storm]

No problem

[Pepo]

X2 Bill Hillman is awesome and makes dog training easy. Traffic cop....sit means sit....check out his videos on Youtube.

[troop4]

Water dog by Richard Wolters is a great book and can be had on dvd as well.its been around a looooong time for a reason.
Shock collar. Never considered one. I still can't see the need to use one. Good training goes a long way.

+1

[deer farmer]

Sit, Stay, Fetch, Give the rest is in the bloodline

[KrissmithRBS]

check into a book called Gun Dog