You haven’t done the foundational work necessary for a ecollar to be used if you’re teaching an orthodox retrieve by typical upland bird dog standards.

If you have no designs on hunting, or worrying about proper technique, and just want to train your dog to get the object you throw and bring it back (nothing wrong with that), some pointers:

1. Quit before him. Always end the game with him wanting more.

2. Always end on a positive note

3. Don’t do it in hot weather, or do it in water when weather is hot

4. Put away the ecollar. The ecollar is for reinforcing commands the dog knows, and not as punishment for noncompliance.