Let me start by saying I understand training a dog is really training the individual as a handler how to properly speak to the dog and demonstrate what we want. When it comes to retrieving I am working my dog through a forced fetch method she’s taken exceptionally well. I can get her to sit walk out drop a bumper 15-20 yards come back and send her and she’ll go right to it, and come straight back, it’s the same story when I throw the bumper that distance, have her sit and send her once it’s laid there for a few seconds.

Now what I need help with distance greater then 30-40 yards. When I throw a bumper she watches it land, then I send her she gets about 30 yards and gives up and starts to turn back. Usually to the point I walk along to 10 yards from the bumper and send her to “fetch again”.

Do y’all have any advice for getting that extra distance. It could be a motivation thing, how can I motivate her to get the distance. I don’t need her to fetch at 70 yards but if I’m able to throw father then she will fetch I feel like there is more I can do with her! Thanks y’all.

Last add she is 2 years old and has only been introduced to fetching for about 3 weeks. If it gets better with time I’ll keep at it. Jsut looking for advice.

I have a book by Walters, Water Dog, you are welcome to it. It's old but folks say it has lots of good info in it. PM your address and it will be in the mail to you.

Keep in mind I’m not a retriever owner, but I do want my pointers to retrieve.
I would start working on a ladder drill, and force to pile if you haven’t already.
I’ve always been able to get longer retrieves, by using these two things.
After that see if you can get someone to stand at a distance, throw a few bumpers for you.

thank you for the advice, i understand the ladder drill but the force to pile, theres no order correct, its just a pile of bumpers and one by one pick up and return to me?

hey ray thanks for the offer, i actually live in Bulverde, i see new Braunfels on your account are you still in that area?

The limited retrieving range is conditioned by your training. Low cover where the dog can see the mark on the ground may help initially as you extend range. A helper in the field beyond the range your dot is hanging up can also help it. When the dog stops short have the helper get its attention and throw a second bumper to the area of the fall. Pile work is also great to establish range. 4-5 bumpers in a pile nice and close. Send the dog to the pile to retrieve a bumper. With the dog on the way out to the pile, you back up. As you slowly get further away the dog will return to the pile by memory. Slowly build till you establish the range you are looking for.
This should get you over the hump. If the dog gets confused, simplify and help it.

That is exactly what force to pile is.
To me, it just helps them to understand a little more.

On the ladder, you can slowly just keep stretching the distance in length, and between placed bumpers. I will normally start where the dogs have a clear vision of them. Where the grass is cut short. You can increase the difficulty, as they get it down. The dog should learn to trust, that if you send them for a retrieve, there is something there.

My dogs are Vizslas, so I always throw a fun bumper or two at the end of a training session.
Keeps them happy, and a stress reliever for them.

thanks for the explanation i will add this in today and see how it goes with her!

i do try to work in a fun run as well as let her explore a little before we work. i will grab a couple more bumpers today and work a ladder drill this afternoon and see how its goes. one question the bumpers on a ladder drill are they thrown or walked and dropped at different distances? thankyou

I use pile work to isolate and extend range. Then ladders to isolate and clean up the line. It keeps advancing but that is much more than what the OP is asking about. My dogs are Pudelponters Kindal. We are probably doing similar training.

Yes

Bumpers are not thrown ladder drill.
They are placed.

There are a couple things I would do and I don’t think force to pile or ladder drills are the answer.

If you have someone who can throw for you give them about 6-7 bumper and do what’s called “fire drill”. Toss one, send her and have the helper throw another bumper as she’s in route to the original. This will build momentum and keep her driving farther. You can throw 2,3,4+ bumpers as she’s in route.

Repeat the mark, typically on the 2 or 3rd try they’ll drive out without the help.

Move to a different location and do it again. This drill is perfect for helping dogs learn to drive deeper on marks.

The other option if you don’t have help is to do the same thing but teach her to be sent from a remote location.

Sit her, walk out and throw the bumper and remote send her.

https://youtu.be/Rf_bxYtXUqk?si=izuMVMIwHLuSkXn4