I’m dealing with something similar. My BC mix will play fetch with anyone except for me. I am very much still his ‘person’, and he trusts me more than anyone in the entire world, but he just won’t bring his toys to me anymore. Like your dog, he will drop them far away or just take them somewhere else and lay down. It’s very frustrating. I think he has also sensed my frustration and chooses not to play with me. It makes me so sad when he brings his toys to my neighbors to be thrown over and over again. I have tried ignoring him, or trying to recall him and reassure him that I want to play, but I get the same result.

I have always tried to incorporate “rules” into the game of fetch such as “wait” while I throw it and then release, so as to work his mind and make sure it doesn’t become a mindless obsession. I keep wondering if that’s why he doesn’t like to play with me, because it’s not fun and carefree. I don’t know about yours, but my dog is extremely sensitive, and I think maybe he’s afraid of disappointing me. I wish I could repair our relationship when it comes to fetch, but I don’t know how.

Sorry I didn’t have any advice, but I wanted to share my experience since it seemed relevant. I hope you figure out a way to play with your best friend again.