Thanks for the replies!! I've used the dry land training many times and he does terrific...I will try training him in an actual decoy spread on the water when the ducks settle down later in the day!! I think it's a case of wanting to retrieve something so bad that gets him all worked up and grabbing the first thing in sight!! I noticed today that on his longest retrieve he swam around a bit looking because he didn't mark the bird when shot...he kept looking and somewhat followed my directional commmands...then he grabbed a decoy and headed into shore...when he was swimming in I gave an arm(directional) command and said"dead bird"...he swam that way until seeing the duck, he then dropped the decoy and retrieved the bird!! Maybe that gives some more of you some insight into the problem...I think he will slowly grow out of it with some work...I hope!! Any other suggestions???