How to Steady a Working Retriever . . . Labs, Goldens, Chessies etc

Steadying/Steadiness for a labrador retriever, a golden retriever, a hunting dog, gun dog, or duck dog using the electric collar with an extremely gentle approach.

[travisbrooks]

Dr dale bud, I pitty your ignorance, aside the phd, this guy hillman is a retriever genius, I dont know him from "joe fred" but I know enough about bird dogs to know this guy is one of the best trainers ive seen, keep em comin Mr. Hillman.

[KwickLabs]

The "comment" about repeating a command displays a misunderstanding of what reinforcing an "action" means. Every year many novice OB trainers in AKC OB classes have their dogs on a sit and are giving slight tugs on the lead to {b]reinforce{/b] the sit command. It goes "sit"/"tug"/good" communication. Once understood a dog will resist being pulled off the reinforced sit standard.

In Hillmann's approach, the very low nick a dog feels from the e-collar is so tiny I cannot feel it. It is not unlike a slight tug on a flat collar. One of my pups only reaction was that she blinked on cue every time. Just for the record, Hillmann's approach is based on fun, excitement and rewards. There is more than one way to use an e-collar. My last two retriever pups love Hillman's approach. It is fair and fun. Training is NOT based on "must do"...it is all about "want to". In reply to a previous comment, in this video what he is doing is not even remotely (no pun intended) like negative reinforcement. I am 79 years old and Hillmann's approach is definitely not "old school" and I do know what "old school" is!

[brandonhunt]

Why is the eCollar needed in this drill? I have taught many dogs steady without collars. Adding many distractions over a period of time without the need of the collar. I typically add the eCollar (if I do at all) as a polish up to behaviors the dog has already been taught and conditioned to. Thank you for your videos!!

[DrDaleHubbardPhD]

No wagging of tail: because of negative reinforcement - old school which is losing popularity