Reverse Retrieve

Esteban Fernandezlopez says:

For a puppy, I like to start with VERY short distances and call the puppy back to me while moving backwards. I will also start by teaching this in a very small narrow hallway where there’s not really any place to go. Most importantly, when they bring it back, I mark it verbally or with a clicker and immediately throw it for the dog again (or tug with the dog) in order to reward the dog for bringing the toy back to me.

If that doesn’t work, you can use a second identical toy, and throw the one you have in exchange for the first one. You can also trade for food although I usually save that as more of a last resort as I’m trying to build a more organic interest in the toy.

You can also put the dog on a leash or long line. You do NOT pull the dog toward you but you can walk yourself along the line toward the dog and eventually get there in order to tug with the toy or offer an exchange and then throw the toy again, etc. The line is just to keep them from running away from you all over the yard, but should not be corrective in any way, and will hopefully be used for a single session or two, so once the dog figures out you’re coming to again throw the toy, they will stop running away because they don’t fear that you will take the toy away permanently.