after some advice my lab bitch 9 months old hardly ever retrieves to hand usually she comes to within 6 feet and turns around, either that or she runs around you. I train her at a country park and do retrieves on a wood foot bridge about 6 feet wide which spans a stream with fields either side, this stops her running around me but it does not stop her turning around berfore she gets to me, which can be very frustrating. i know she is still young but i want to correct her before she sees it as the norm. Any idea's

Paul.

Unfortunately retrieving is generally very poorly taught and most people start with the whole thing from the beginning which means in between the throw and the "present" there is an awful lot of opportunity for mistakes.

I prefer, when training the retrieve, to "back-chain" so that the dog ALWAYS knows what is required and is moving from the "unknown and unpractised" to the "known and the practised" which builds confidence in the dog at whatever age because it KNOWS what it is supposed to do.

I always start in a chair with the dog in the present and teach the dog to retrieve it from my hands and vice versa.  This has the benefit in that you can control the "take" and the "give" and it is taught extremely thoroughly in the right place.  This method also has the advantage of being able to be taught in front of the TV :D

When the dog has grasped the whole idea of picking it up and letting it go IN THIS POSITION I then move the dumbell to either side, in front of me, behind me etc ALWAYS taking it from my hands and it automatically takes up the position.  I clicker train so it is even quicker, you can teach a 7 week old pup to be really efficient at this in a couple of days. As soon as it picks it up I click and then THROW the sausage so that the dog must leave you rush out for the tit bit and then rush back for another "push the button that gave me a treat" retrieve. (Note I do NOT throw the bell/dummy)

I then lower the dumbell/dummy again in different positions until I finally place it on the floor; you must remember that just taking it from the floor instead of your hand is a different exercise to the dog if not to you!

I then get up and move the dumbell further out by placing it on the floor; by this time I find I have to restrain the dog because it has become retrieve obsessed. 

The beauty of this method is that the dog never gets chastised, can hardly ever make a mistake and you get a dog that will go out and return at the same speed.

HTH

Have you tried scuttling backwards, still encouraging her to you, when she gets close? (Make sure there's nothing behind for you to fall over!) If you're still facing her, but getting further away, it may well keep her coming ...
:)

I'd guess that your recalls wont be perfect either so do plenty of work with these, getting the dog to come right up to your hands & calmly stroke her. Obedience style perfection not required, just real enthusiasm to get back to you.

When she brings the retrieve in dont be in a rush to take it from her (especially if she holds on to it). Get her to come in for the fuss  & let her forget that she has had to come back in before you take it from her. You can use jeangenie's idea as well at the same time. Dont snatch the retrieve, give her time to get her head in the correct position.

I would think that this dog knows exactly what is required, but some minor break-down in your relationship is causing her to think she gets to keep the retrieve. I find this kind of training a matter of trial and error and is an art rather than a science. Someone could show you much easier than type it, and they would proably make a number of minor adjustments to their technique based on the way the dog responds. With the right relationship, a stern voice when she is messing about followed by verbal praise as she corrects herself would work.

If she is really stubborn you could use a long line attached to her collar & 'reel her in' combined with praise. Once again make sure you wait before taking the retrieve. I doubt if this will be required if the rest of the training is up to scratch though.

Food treats really shouldnt be required to get a Lab to retrieve. However use whatever method you have most confidence of.