Well, I tried to point out that "working a forum" is not easy.
Then, I thought about posting this link......but I resisted.....some....not enough I guess..
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/don't_let_the_door_hit_you_on_the_way_out
This is a friendly jab.....you are supposed to take it that way.
Later in the day, I thought your issue might prove to be the stimulus for analyzing my training
with Hillmann's approach over the last several years. It proved to be useful (at least for me).
The training forums continue to have threads dealing with training a pup using Hillmann. The most recent
one began with having an issue of barking at a thrown bumper. The significant aspect about the Hillmann
approach is that thrown bumpers are NOT part of the process…..early on. The following YouTube with Mary
Tatum clarifies that point. The puppy in the YouTube was doing his very first sessions of “The Game” at
almost three week old. That is not a misprint. It progresses through three timely spaced intervals of training.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KaIfY-fBa4
After doing Hillmann with two pups, the obvious has become clearer. The two I have were/are different
(higher than a kite vs a little more subdued) and both were older by several weeks. Whatever situation
surfaces with the next pup (if there is one), adjusting training will be much simpler. Each training session
lesson is determined by doing what a pup needs in the moment (especially in the beginning).
For example, If a pup is barking at a bumper when it is on the ground, then reduce those types of
repetitions and keep the pup more engaged (with you while a bumper is in his mouth or being held by
the trainer). Less of "this" and more of "that" is the key to balance. That is somewhat like the concept
of “bumper in mouth” training. How teaching proceeds is determined by what a pup needs (and they are
not all the same).
Keeping a dog in balance is a function of five factors - retrieving, "birdiness”/bumpers, responsiveness,
focus and control. Any puppy barking at tossed bumpers is getting too much retrieving/"bumpers" and
not enough of the other three (which are greatly impacted by distance).
The following is a significant concept. Go back and review Mary Tatum’s YouTube (which covers several
weeks of sessions), the first several day sessions were NOT involved in any retrieving (tossed bumpers).
Resist the urge. The focus is purely on responsiveness and focus - engagement. Once those are introduced,
and
regularly demonstrated...then control begins to gradually fall into place and only then is training
enhanced by the excitement of retrieving and "birdiness”/bumpers
To repeat, the Hillmann puppy approach begins by developing exciting focus, control and responsiveness on
a short lead. Once a pup is initially “hooked up”, engaged and practicing with the trainer, only then do you
begin retrieves (not many, very short ones to start with). The process is best when it is sequential and seamless.
You must become the center or your pup's universe.
One must resist the urge to watch a pup charge out and attack something…until other “stuff” is in place.
When a poorly engaged pup runs “out there on his own”, the decision about what to do next becomes his
and developing engagement (responsiveness) often turns into a problem.
Balancing engagement up close first is the key. To repeat, more of this and less of that is the key to balance.
What each pup needs in the moment is not universal. It is the trainer's responsibility to determine what the
pup needs. Puppy barking at thrown bumper is saying, "I am not engaged with you!" Establishing balance
is not in the pup's job description.