re: Dog training help - teaching a retriever to hold after retrieve

you have to "teach" hold first before applying pressure. I also teach "fetch" first and make it a game. Pressure of any kind without prior knowledge of how to react correctly is badgering/abuse and will manifest undesired behavior and a poor attitude for learning.Besides teaching the dog you are also nurturing his desire and drive so keep it fun. I use a e-collar and rarely need it. If I do use it, its for a lack of focus and not for making a mistake and the dog quickly adjusts and does what it has been taught to do.
Most amateurs miss this and many pros do as well. You can ruin the dog with bad training, or you can have a duck getting, field trial winning machine. It's all in the application.