Thread: Dropping on the retrieve

do force fetch only if you have the assistance from someone who has done it before. and if you do decide to do it. make sure you do it from start to finish without pissing around...
I'd say try all you can to fix the problem without force fetch, 1 its a learning opportunity, 2 the dog is only 5 months old. if all else fails (I hope it doesn't) you've got the force fetch to go with as a last resort...and don't try force fetch until probably next summer time. when the dog is old enough and you have day light savings ...

Ruff (Clark) had some good advice in the old forum and this one too.. not sure how far the "search" function on these forums will take you but try and find some old threads...He use to write tones of stuff about how you will need to make the retrieve for a young dog fun... get down to the dogs level on your knees... don't worry about the dropping so much, just hype the dog's enthusiasm to pick up and deliver...

Here is an idea, try it. Not sure if it will work but give it a go if you can make sense out of it...
If the dog runs off picks up the dummy and comes back to you... before he drops the dummy in-front of you just turn and continue walking in that direction and bring the dog at heel, so that you are walking with the dog next to you... he's focus will shift to you and I am hoping he will continue carrying the dummy.....don't be in a rush to grab it of his mouth, just continue walking for few 5-6 meters and then take it of his mouth as you continue walking and praise him... if it works, don't over do it... do couple of turns each day... forget about it until the next day...