The fetch boogeyman has returned. Levi loves fetch, and we often play "adventure fetch" with him. We are lucky to have a very natural greenbelt nearby, with woods, meadows, and a clean creek. Levi must negotiate varied terrain, sometimes swimming to find the ball. It is fascinating to watch him track the ball, first with sight and sound when the ball is moving. If the ball stops out of direct sight, he switches to nose work, sniffing out the ball in some very obscure places. One throw will sometimes occupy him for 10 or 15 minutes as he slowly and methodically searches a likely area. I have learned so much about how dogs perceive the world from watching him do this.
This game engages all his abilities. We can use herding type commands to direct him if he if he needs a little help. The game also keeps his attention focused on us so that off-leash distractions are not so tempting.
Levi is now 3 1/2, and this game developed slowly over several years starting when he was 8 months old. You might start Bernie with simple fetch without emphasizing the "chase and catch " part, instead focusing on the "find the toy" part.