Hey, I was thinking about posting the SAME thing labman. My dog will fetch sticks..usualyl once or twice, but won't go for a ball (unless its plastic, which he then won't bring back) or a knotted sock. Something people have done is have 2 toys. They throw one, and when the dog runs after it, you suddenly 'discover'the other one and start making a big fuss out of it. Hopefully they come back with the ball, drop it and want the other one. Never worked with Major, but it might with your puppy.