Cornerstone Gun Dog Academy experience?

[GreenNDark Timber]

Don't let the e-collar intimidate you, but you are smart for proceeding cautiously until you learn how to use it correctly. When used correctly, your dog will be excited when you put the collar on them. Mine sees the Garmin bag come out and knows he's about to get to do what he loves.

In addition to Freddy King's vidoes mentioned by Kurt above, Evan Graham's Smart Fetch book and videos do a really good job of teaching how to use the collar correctly and with the least amount of stimulation necessary to reinforce the command.

 

[goathunter]

One last question, I'm pretty interested in Pat Nolan and Bill Hillman for puppy programs, which would you recommend for an amateur? Do either line out your training schedule better

 

[KurtR]

One last question, I'm pretty interested in Pat Nolan and Bill Hillman for puppy programs, which would you recommend for an amateur? Do either line out your training schedule better

either pick one and follow it and be consistent. You would have to have alot of experience and trained alot of dogs to be able to pick which one was better for what specific goals you have and what kind of dog you have in front of you.

Heres the thing every program lines it out but dogs dont follow time lines problems will arise and thats where you have to be able to figure out how to fix the problem or who your going to call to fix a problem. Most problems come from people who are not consistent. You have a standard you hold it all the time.

 

[JMitchell121]

I use Bill Hillman vodeos and thought they were great. Pricey but I sold mine for 75 percent of what they cost me. Heard good things about Pat Nolan. Both do incorporate e collars. I never used cornerstone but what I have seen I am not impressed. Lots of ads with guys dodg at side on a golf course throwing a dummy for a 2 year old dog 20 yards in a pond. I think wow my pup was doing that 16 weeks. I like to have a bird boy to get the dog to look out not at me. I havent watched many videos but the ones I have seen not impressed.

 

[JMitchell121]

I forgot also very pricey. Also check out a local retreiver club that might have some low key members you could meet with on the weekend for a training session. Good luck and have fun

 

[LONE HUNTER]

This is a bit older but i am going through cornerstone with my labrador. he's 10 months old. One thing I will say is it takes hella persistence to get the results they show with violet. My dog did awesome until we started lining out in the field (all the other stuff before this he really did quite good even in public parks etc). He still did ok at it but he's also decided sometimes he's just gonna go do his own thing. I can see why the e-collar crowd is saying what they do. I am hopeful he will continue to progress. If not I will have to get an ecollar for him and start working on that with him.

 

[KurtR]

This is a bit older but i am going through cornerstone with my labrador. he's 10 months old. One thing I will say is it takes hella persistence to get the results they show with violet. My dog did awesome until we started lining out in the field (all the other stuff before this he really did quite good even in public parks etc). He still did ok at it but he's also decided sometimes he's just gonna go do his own thing. I can see why the e-collar crowd is saying what they do. I am hopeful he will continue to progress. If not I will have to get an ecollar for him and start working on that with him.

Are you talking doing pattern blinds?

 

[LONE HUNTER]

Are you talking doing pattern blinds?

Right now it's just straight lines, I will heel him out 120 yards drop the bumper and have him mark it and heel him back and send him to go get it, and it's visible like on a dirt road. He will go get it in a straight line there and back most of the time but sometimes he just decides mid retrieve to go off and investigate some smell he's picked up.

 

[KurtR]

Right now it's just straight lines, I will heel him out 120 yards drop the bumper and have him mark it and heel him back and send him to go get it, and it's visible like on a dirt road. He will go get it in a straight line there and back most of the time but sometimes he just decides mid retrieve to go off and investigate some smell he's picked up.

Make the distance shorter. Put a white fence post or bucket out there for confidence. If he goes off line stop him with the whistle and give a straight back. If he doesnt take it make him sit and sweat it and cut the distance in half between you and the dog give the back cast again and keep cutting distance till you get the cast. You are using 100% percent attrition so its going to take alot longer than using compulsion based training. No more than 5 reps and always quit with a win even if you have to get close.

This quote can save you alot of problems in the future wish i would have been told that when I had a 10 month old.

"if you train a young dog for momentum precision will arrive. If you train for precision demanding perfection momentum will depart" ~ Rex Carr