I've learned baby shelties SUCK at playing fetch. It helps to have an older dog show the little one the ropes. I have Honey trained to if she doesn't put it in my hand or next to me, I'm not throwing it. Needless to say, she brings it to me every time.
We're still working on this with Ruutu, but he's gotten a lot better now that he also demands he wants play time. now. I'll definitely need to pick up a beach ball and try it out with Ruutu. He loves to bat around a squeaky tennis ball with his paws. It's really cute watching him play soccer with himself.
BTW- anyone else have demanding shelties? Mine tell me when they want fed, out of bed, played with, cuddled with, pottied etc. It's cute, annoying and cute again. I think it's just a Honey habit that Ruutu is picking up on.
. Mine love to play fetch, but they'll fetch it... then I will never see it again. So instead of playing, they'll go get it or half heartedly go get it then drop it, stare at me, bark and wait for me to grab it again. That doesn't fly with me. 
