I was getting a really good come back with Zuki when I would throw a toy...but lately she won't bring it right back. She is starting to enjoy "teasing" me by going right past me than coming almost within reach with the toy.

I am frustrated because I don't have as much time as I would like to play/train right now (for the last 2 months) for I am working temporarily. However we were doing fine until about two weeks ago. She is doing it more and more. I tried putting a line on her and reeling her in but when I throw the toy she sometimes will run unpredictably, I almost got bad rope burns on my ankles several times. If I run from her she will come towards me but will run on past again. I have to repeat the bring command many times with persistence for her to bring it.

I am working a very physical temporary job and I know this is no excuse but I can't run as much as she needs and throwing her ball or Frisbee is great for running time but if she doesn't bring it back it leaves me feeling angry at her and I don't think it's helping our connection. I am thinking that some of this problem may be related to when I ask her to drop although we didn't have this problem before... She doesn't seem to get the fact that I will throw it again if she gives it to me. Any suggestions would be helpful. Our other training, OB is going fine-everything seems to be improving...

Try trading a high value food/treat (piece of hot dog) for toy/ball/frisbee. She'll come back to you for the treat & trade the toy for the snack, so you can throw it again.
Dog's can need a breather after several throws, or drink of water! How hot is it where you are at?

I have tried that...sometimes it works and other times it doesn't. Her water bucket is nearby so she does get water and we always do it at night so most 70's and right now mostly 50's-60's. Would it be by the rules to trade for another toy?

My pup tried this...sometimes I could get him to exchange it for another of the same toy or a treat. What worked is stopping the game when this behavior started, going in the house and leaving him outside. Game over! Only took two times and he caught on.

what happens when you start with this? It is not latter in the game now it is right off. How do I get this across? Did you take the toy away first or leave it with him?

My dog did this when he was younger...I stopped playing. I would simply ignore him. I wouldn't get the toy back or anything I'd just turn and walk away. He learned REALLY quick that if he wanted to play he had to give me the toys and that toys are only fun when I have them or am throwing them.

I am no expert, but When Kaiser did the keep away from me, I will say "Bad boy Kaiser" in a growling voice and make him drop the ball by being the biggest kill joy ever. If he did not drop the ball, I will go get him by his training leash and put him away.

As others mentioned, I think it is a matter of letting him know that if you dont play by my rules you dont play at all.

My dog responded very well to the "trade" for another toy (in her case = ball)as she is ball crazy!
If she sees I have another ball, the first is forgotten/relinquised immediately!

My dog is also ball, toy, possessive,
& I think alot she is taking a "breather" as she runs around (still getting the exercise I desire) but not relinquishing ball.
As she has gotten older, & after initial exercise "blast" she is knowing the "fun" throwing comes from me, & later in the game is more willing to relinquish the ball, especially as she sees the play time ending, & as a way to continue playing (sounds like a kid, eh); but knowing this is also her "fun" time, it includes "sniffing", around, ect.

I think in the end, it comes down to possessivness, followed by ob (obedience), but as long as she is moving (exercising) which is my goal with the game, & I do incorporate some ob for the times she releases the ball. After this complience,
I go along with her game to a point, as with other issues I demand "spot on" obedience, or complience.

I note a recent comment by Cindy (leerburg) that 10 minutes of ball play = a 40 minute walk (sorry for my paraphrase)
but I have currently used this math, as I shovel driveway snow, & throw the random ball, along with the running, sniffing = very effective workout!!

We do go running but not as much as I know she needs... We play ball/frisbee/tug for about an hour and If I am able I like to take her on a three mile run/walk to the park.

Some days go better than others... I am going to try some of the above and see if I get somewhere.

I'm sorry I read only the 1st post, so I hope I don't just duplicate.

1. Stop chasing! You have trained the dog that you will play "chase," a fun game for her. Stop! She runs away with the toy -- game over.

2. Indoors or a calm non-running place, teach the "give," the release into your hands.

In other words, back-chain the normal retrieve command. It's all pretty much the same chain whether it's fetch or a formal retrieve.