Guys, my pup is on his second season, doing great in basics........not breaking.....no whining, faultless on marked retrieves.
But he is stumbling on me sending him "back" when he has not seen a bird drop.

He does it well in the yard.....100% just not "jovial" about it. He loves marking.........

Any ways you guys have used to build his trust in me to know I'm not bull shitting him that there is indeed a bird on the water?

Have you tried putting a pile of bumpers in the yard, then throwing a marked bumper jnto the pile? It's a good way to start the blind retrieve process. He marks the pile hen picking up the first bumper and will remember the rest. He should run to the pile on the second retrieve with confidence. Also, when using the word "back", transition it from his usual command to retrieve, which is usually his name. Say his name and back, "hazel, back." At first id have the emphasis on "hazel" then after a few times, switch the emphasis to "back" and before too long, you can use just "back". I also like to say "dead bird" before every blind retrieve. The dog eventually learns that when you say this, he should expect to retrieve a bird that he hasn't seen.

Definitely use a cue of some sort (I.e. dead bird) lets the dog know that this is a blind. Also the tossing a bumper to a pile is a good way of building. Pattern blinds (I usually have 3 different blinds in the yard at a little different distances that I would run a few times a week) are also a good way to building confidence. Another way to really amp up a dog is to run some blinds with live ducks. Really gets them excited.

I also use the same areas for the piles. I think they call it memory blinds. So the dog has confidence when running them. Wen you see your dog running them confidently, you can make a new pile some where else. Pretty soon he will have enough confidence in you to run where ever you aim him.

X2 on the memory blinds I think you and I are on the same page...pattern = memory. This is real big with blind work. And it is also helpful on getting dogs to carry straight lines on blinds

Thanks guys.........
we did some line retrieving this afternoon......he is coming along quite well.
Just this weekend blanked we he did not see anthing down......

I will start the pile work and phasing in the "back" with dead bird.

I just watched a couple of videos..........wow Kwick.......that is majic!!!

In the zig zag video the dog was alternating sides healing. I always heal mine on my left side, whats the reason for alternating?

Gotcha, it just looked like it was automatic for the dog, as if he associated that drill with alternate heeling sides.

As the dog is approaching, I give a slight cue with the hand on the side
I want him to heel on. With continuous "reps" it becomes automatic.