Everybody knows this game- to teach your dog to fetch, use 2 or more desirable & identical toys or tennis balls. Throw one of them while saying, "get it" or "fetch". When they grab it, say "take it". Show the dog the other toy that you have. Bounce it if it's a ball, squeak it if it can be squeaked. When your dog starts coming to you, say, "come!". Your dog will always want the toy you have, so he'll have to drop the one he has in his mouth. As soon as he drops it, say "drop it" and throw the other one so he can chase it. He doesn't have to drop it anywhere near you at first, he just needs to drop it somewhere. When he realizes how the game works, you will have a ball machine going, and your dog will be the retriever! This is an excellent way to burn energy, plus there's no contact between dog and human. Nobody gets beat up if you play the right way!