pup retrieving when and why?

[Nickheref]

I got the impression that the reason some trainers refrained from retrieving between 3 and ten months was that this is time when most problems arise...when pups are teething etc...would there be any 'mileage' in this theory

No nor me, that is the time, if there did appear to be a problem with retrieving, I would be trying to put it right before it became an ingrained habit, but in the real world I have had very few serious retrieving issues with springers, I find I need to spend more time working on steadiness than delivery!

[Ben Smith]

Some good points for a novice like myself to read. My 19 week pup retrieves well to hand. Didn't do much retrieving in the house as a very young pup.

I tend to take a tennis ball with me when just taking him for some exercise but maybe I shouldn't bother and just save it for training?

I am amazed at how easy some of you make training look. I'm learning fast that it's really not!