[KwickLabs]

For several years, taking videos of training sessions has provided useful, visual perspectives
on "how things are progressing". Quite often videos appear on RTF and rarely does the
presenter provide a personal critique. There is a great deal of value in using an honest,
visual perspective. An important aspect of "recording" training videos is that they are
not necessarily a "How it is supposed to be done" presentation. They can become a
powerful training tool.

For quite some time Pounce has been working on Hillmann's heeling program and more
recently his new video - "The Game" has provide more insight into the process. One
interesting aspect of this new Hillmann video is that it features my Hillmann mentor -Jim
Wegner and his "pack" of Goldens. The final scene is spectacular.

Hillmann's program has been a wonderful adventure in modifying my training. In addition,
the idea that you can't teach and "old dog" new tricks is false.

A Pounce YouTube video of a training session was made yesterday and the following useful
observations were the result. I am finding that "You can get there from here." This video is
one in a sequence of practice sessions working toward a no "movement at the line" expectation.
Perspective is possible when one can visually "measure" results. It is a process.

The primary focus of YouTube video training sessions is to observe what went right and that
which requires "modification". Several viewings of the video resulted in the following list.

1. Pounce's sit position is not consistently "nose and toes" and at times is a bit wide of
being right beside me.
2. Pounce's butt is not always on the ground
3. Her motion at the line has improved quite a bit, but we are not quite "there" yet.
4. She is responsively seeking to deliver the retrieve, but it is not smooth.
5. I am casting on blinds way too quickly.....slow down.

Pounce's Work At the Line (YouTube link)

 

[Arnie]

You are right that videos are a big help. Never tried it before but coincidentally I just posted my very first training video. We've been working hard to catch up on a six month training gap. We followed the Lardy plan for "pattern blinds". Luckily we had left off on TT so after a quick review we went right into pattern blinds. By being able to train twice a day we reached this point in just a week.

The point to this is to work on getting her to drive to and carry a line to the blind and to ignore previous marked retrieves. As you can see she does this well. Her line manners need work but I wanted to focus on drive and leave line discipline to separate sessions. The left blind is 150 yards, the middle is 165 and the right is 210 yards. We're now starting on cold blinds.

Video:

 

[KwickLabs]

So......do you miss California!?

 

[Arnie]

So......do you miss California!?

What's California?

 

[fetchitupup]

Nice video's guys, thanks for posting. I can see where they are very helpful.

 

[Gray_Chin]

I subscribe to your channel and watching Pounce work through aspects of the Hillmann program has been helpful in my own training, thanks for sharing!

 

[Wayne Nutt]

Maybe I should try videos sometime.

 

[DL]

It may be more support of social media endeavors than usefulness. There is nothing wrong with that I guess unless someone sees it as a problem.I have taken pictures in my life. I never saw the need for them all to be in the third person. There are multiple reasons to take a picture or video.

 

[Arnie]

It may be more support of social media endeavors than usefulness. There is nothing wrong with that I guess unless someone sees it as a problem.I have taken pictures in my life. I never saw the need for them all to be in the third person. There are multiple reasons to take a picture or video.

I'm having a hard time getting your point. This is the first time I video'd a working session. It was very revealing. For example, I saw that I was inconsistent in the way I took the bird from her and in lining her up for the next retrieve.

The camera doesn't lie so now it's possible to get a brutally honest critique, especially when training alone. Just another tool in the training toolbox.

 

[ahud]

What are you guys using to film? Your phone or a dedicated recorder?

 

[IdahoLabs]

I almost always video my competition runs and frequently video training sessions. You're right that it's a valuable learning tool.

When I'm alone, I'll often set the phone on the bumper of the truck, switch to selfie mode so I can see the parameters of what's getting in the video, and then press record....works really nicely.

 

[KwickLabs]

Several years ago, the path to using videos had evolved to the use of three "formats".
I purchased a rather inexpensive Sony HandyCam (HDR-CX 500 12 Mega-Pixels). It has
been extremely reliable. A free, online program "PlayMemories Home Version" permits a
direct transfer of videos to an editing format. Once the editing is completed the "final
cut" is made into a YouTube video.

The fact that anyone can view them is fine with me. If anyone finds them useful
that's OK. However, I have found that when "in front of a camera", the focus "on the
moment" creates a certain amount of tension/excitement that will not be generated
by not being able to go back and view your mistakes or what went well. In addition, it
is can be very encouraging to review sessions that really go well. Also, you will see
"stuff'" that will alter how you train......if you are searching.

In addition, the camera is kind of like having an audience. When you train alone there is
a tendency to relax. Complacency is sneaky. In situations when no one else is watching,
it becomes less of a big deal. In fact, it is often not unusual to fail in realizing what just
happened.

Perspectives can be greatly altered by the visual realty of a video. Looking at yourself
provides a very interesting perspective. The comment "I can't believe it did that"
will surface......often. That's a good thing!

Also, in a way when using the video camera you are not exactly training alone. One tends
to eventually strive to not want seeing yourself train poorly. Frankly, I react differently when
training alone as compared to in a group. Is it just me?

The video camera tends to move that "comfort" zone more toward the similar tension of
training in a group. That is a good thing! One learns much faster when training has a useful,
built in filter for avoiding mistakes.

To repeat what I mentioned before, KwickLabs' training videos are not intended to be a "This
is how it is supposed to be done presentation". I will admit that there have been a few
videos that were made into "YouTubes" that are kept under "private" storage.

 

[Arnie]

Kwicklabs has explained in a clear and articulate way the benefits I have just discovered in filming a training session.

The video above was taken on an old Panasonic Lumix point and shoot camera. I had put it away after smart phones made it redundant and just came across it while unpacking.

I added a 32 gig micro SD card and mounted it to a tripod. Much easier to use than a phone when training alone. Haven't figured out an editing process yet. YouTube allowed me to trim it after uploading.

 

[Wayne Nutt]

One of my video cams allows you to turn it on and off, etc, using my iphone. You have to be relatively close though.

 

[KwickLabs]

The following link is to a page describing the conundrum of training videos. One of the many
meanings of "conundrum" is it's a "puzzle".

The Conundrum (link)

For those that may be concerned, I pay GoDaddy a yearly fee to make
KwickLabsii" a secure Website.....unlike a few other familiar sites.

 

[Wayne Nutt]

Sony Handycam for me. I think there is a tripod made for iPhones