x 3 on loosing the balls..........hmmm, that doesn't sound right.
Make it just as much fun fetching ducks/ birds as it has been fetching balls.
It's all a game retreiving...bumpers and birds. I'd use just birds and as you need to get rid of them cut the wings off and attached to the bumpers.
My youngest is now 4 and has NEVER has a stick thrown for her. EVER. We don't own tennis balls either.
Just loose the balls....still doesn't sound right.
AND why do people think that the family dog shouldn't play with the kids? Who cares. Dogs are situational. My dogs don't listen to family members unless it involves food. They listen to me.
Sounds like you are on the right track with your girl