The ducks you are using, are they frozen? Spoiled? Water logged and generally nasty?
Perhaps try some live birds with the primaries pulled or a shackled wing. Hup it up...make it fun and lots of praise for the bird. Shorten the retrieves with the live birds to a few yards so you can use your close presence to encourage picking up the bird. Have a buddy throw the live bird from behind you so that it's a surprise. Don't use a gun, check cord or anything that may discourage the retrieve. Don't worry about steadiness while cultivating the birdiness in your pup. Leave the bumpers alone while trying this. Give that a try and encourage the bird retrieves before you attempt FF.
Deke
Perhaps try some live birds with the primaries pulled or a shackled wing. Hup it up...make it fun and lots of praise for the bird. Shorten the retrieves with the live birds to a few yards so you can use your close presence to encourage picking up the bird. Have a buddy throw the live bird from behind you so that it's a surprise. Don't use a gun, check cord or anything that may discourage the retrieve. Don't worry about steadiness while cultivating the birdiness in your pup. Leave the bumpers alone while trying this. Give that a try and encourage the bird retrieves before you attempt FF.
Deke
