My british lab is only 16 weeks old but I am having a little trouble having her bring retrievals to hand. This is true both on water and land. She will just drop it on shore then run up to me or she will find the dummy in the grass and drag it five feet then drop it??? I know she is young but any tricks on this would be appreciated! RR
Keep it fun for awhile yet, as long as she is picking up the bumpers or returning part way with them. Use a checkcord an gently reel her in after she is focussed on you. With or without the bumper, makes no difference at this point. When water retrieving, stand right next to the water or in it as she returns, that way she does not have an opportunity to drop on shore. Work on marking at this point also. Keep it fun for her for the next two months and then start compliance training. At 16 weeks I keep it in the learning phase and use treats for a job done well. I am not using pressure at this point.
Another thing you can do when she picks up the bumper, call her and start backing away from her. Most of the time dogs will see you are moving away from them and run towards you. Usually with the bumper still in there mouth.
Yes backup while calling her name, clapping your hands, and getting down on one knee. Get excited and she’ll get excited to bring it back to you.
Have fun for now the conditioned retrieve will come later after her adult teeth get in.
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Keep it fun for awhile yet, as long as she is picking up the bumpers or returning part way with them. Use a checkcord an gently reel her in after she is focussed on you. With or without the bumper, makes no difference at this point. When water retrieving, stand right next to the water or in it as she returns, that way she does not have an opportunity to drop on shore. Work on marking at this point also. Keep it fun for her for the next two months and then start compliance training. At 16 weeks I keep it in the learning phase and use treats for a job done well. I am not using pressure at this point.
RR, I’m with Don, keep it fun.
And do NOT forget that advise, when you hunt her this year!!!
I firmly beleive that training during the first “water season” (leading upto the hunting) requires you to be in the water. Do not leave the water during short fetching sessions and you will quickly break the dropping habit with lots of praise.
I know that time is a valuable resource, but I prefer limiting training sessions to 20 minutes max at that age.
Train a pup like a child, everything is based on their respect of you and your consistency in your method and message
If you slip up once, they WILL push the bill next time 
Don’t forget the alpha trick of laying on top of them once per year until they stop fighting you 
Might she be a diver dog?
Good luck Soby
cheers
Part of your success with a pup that age is to keep her wanting more. don’t over do it on throwing bumpers. End the game when she is still having fun.
Keep us posted on how things are going.
All good points here. Like others said keep it fun and CONSISTANT. OH how I miss those pup training days.
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