A good Fetch consists of 3 or 4 basic steps -
when proberly executed - a Happie Expierence for Dog and Human.

When one or more steps aren't accomplished - a not-so-Phunn Tyme for all!

Work on each "step" - one at a time, REWARDING with treats and praise
when done reasonably well, and just Try Again when Fido doesn't quite
get it right. Helps to have LOTS of Tenny Balls to toss!

#1 WATCH and GO FOR the thrown ball. Praise & Treat for going at least
half way to where it landed.

#2 PICK it UP! (A requirement.) Praise & Treat for even "mouthing" the ball.

#3 Bring it to ME! Give rewards if Fido takes even a couple steps toward you
before he drops it and runs off.

#4 Give it BACK! The goal is to have Fido Return (ball in mouth),
<SIT> in front of you, and
<Return> the ball into your hand at the command <OUT>.

I almost worked backwards with Fetchin Freak Casey (RB Shepherd) -
we worked on <Catch it> and <Give it Back> sitting a couple feet apart -
with a zillion Tenny Balls in a bucket beside me. One or two balls
doesn't cut it!
Too much time & effort on MY part wasted going after *missed balls*!
Toss a dozen or two - THEN go round em all up and start again.

Casey (on her own) began to chase and grab the misses - THAT got her
praise and treats just as if she caught it.
Before long, she was "going out for" long throws as I was winding up for
the toss. Then she'd <watch> like an outfielder - trying to be where it
came down in time to <catch it> on the fly or at least on the first bounce.

As the dog improves her skills at close range, start increasing the distance
between you and Fido.

And remember to stop "ball practice" as soon as Fido looses interest.

/s/ Phred
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