Colleen, don't worry. You just do like Van Camp suggested. (no eggs though)
I'm willing to bet that whoever made that call, makes quite a few complaints too MANY people. Usually people like this do.

Look at them as someone that wants confrontation with you regardless and they're going to find something with anyone that catches their eye.

There will be nothing they can do, period.

I can understand you though completely. I have quite a temper and would be more than steamed. I may be wrong but I don't think there's anything seriously that can be done, but that may be depended where you live.

Colleen,
Have you tried this?

Keep a long line on her when in the yard. Do not throw the toy more than five or six feet. When she gets the toy, bring her back to you with the long line. At that moment entice her with the second toy by making quick prey movements with it. At the exact moment that she opens her mouth, releasing the first toy, say "out", and immediately toss the second one. Repeat the procedure just three or four times, then stop.

I'm wondering why you want her to retrieve? Are you planning on doing events with her that require this behavior, or is this just for fun?

I was at a public event years ago, when my daughter was 3. I was involved in a conversation with some friends that I had run into, and as most three year olds do, mine got impatient with me, and decided that hitting me might get the results she wanted. I took her aside, kneeled down to her level, and spoke to her very firmly about why hitting your mother is wrong. Some woman that I didn't even know began shouting at me to "Grow that child in peace!!!". When I asked her what the heck she was talking about, it seems that she thought that I was threatening to hit my daughter (which I was not). She claimed that she had heard me telling my daughter that I would hit her if she did not behave. Yes, it was embarassing to have this played out in public, with all kinds of people standing around and watching, but I simply took my daughter and walked away. Did I let this incident keep me from taking my kids out in public, and disciplining them as I saw fit? No way.

Coleen,

Often patience is key to teaching the dog to out. One of the things I have good luck with is to take hold of the prey object and just hold on to it. If the dog pulls I just keep my position but put no effort in to playing. You have to show no emotion once the dog comes back and you tell them to let go. Sooner or later it gets boring for the dog. It can't go any where because you have the toy, it can't play with it because you have the toy. Sooner or later they just give up and let go, then praise them like they just cured cancer!!!!! Also play tug sometimes and let the dog win and keep the toy and then bring it back Also praise like crazy when they win. Have a leash on so when they win they can't get very far from you and let them run with the toy in a circle (like is done with the sleeve in SchH). It has to be more fun to bring the toy to you then just run around with it. If you have to use the long line do it unemotionaly. Just real the dog in and when it gets there praise and play with the dog for being there.

The fact that the dog outs in other circumstances doesn't mean that the dog understands what you want in the current "context". Dogs are poor at generalizing, they understand the rules in one set of circumstances and not in another. So don't get frustrated, keep up reinforcing it in the circumstances the dog understands and then move immedeatly to the retrieve if possible using the same commands and praising like crazy if the dog does it. Sooner or later the dog should make the connection.

As for your neighbor, Van Camps suggestion is going to work for an adult... you will probably have more luck being polite and thanking her for her input and then just do what you need to do. If AC shows up tell them what and how you are doing what you are doing and offer to show them. You aren't doing anything wrong so they will thank you for your time, tell you to try and not aggivate the the bat and leave. As I have told ol' Van once in a while..... you catch more fles with honey than vinegar.

Well I have certainly hit the right forum. Thanks for all the advice. I will now proceed with method 3..the long line. I will try and and above else, will be calm.

As for my neighbor, I think "give the old hag the bird" (thanks Vancamp) is more where I am incline to head. ha ha .

I may be back later today to report on the long line method.
And yes, L Swanston, I plan to tracking with this dog when she is trained. I resuced her from a GSD rescue here in Canada. She is a bright and beautiful creature who is capable of many many things.

Thanks again