Back to basics
Can you please give me some advice on how to send a Labrador back on command. She goes left and right but struggles with the other.
Graham says: Ideally you should teach a dog the “back” command before embarking on sending it left, or right.
Try walking the dog at heel, let it see you drop a dummy, then walk on a short distance with the dog still at your side. Now, stop the dog and take a couple of steps ahead. Turn to face your pupil and give the “back” command with a raised, pointing arm.
Gradually build up the distance between dog and dummy over time and use a fence or track to help guide the dog straight to the retrieve.
I have also found that walking the dog back on the lead can instill a higher desire for the dog to get back to the dummy.