my son bought a choc lab pup. i think his obedience training went too far before the retrieving training. the pup is now about 8 mths old. will heal and sit at his side and stay when he walks away. but shows no interest in retrieving. tried working him with socks etc. in a hall way but no interest. my wife just starting playing with him in the back yard and has him retrieving bumpers. when my son walks out in the yard the pup just wants to come sit next to him. how does my son get the pups attention off the wanting to sit and heal next to him and on retrieving? it is my sons first dog and hope he has not ruined him as he worked after school to buy him.
any suggestions will be appreciated

If the dog will retrieve for mom, it will retrieve. But dogs associate activities with people, locations, etc. So, pup thinks it's 'games' with mom and obedience with son - that's how to make them happy. It's what has been taught to him, after all.

Pup likes to retrieve, but he has no idea that son likes him to, as well. So, let mom have pup retrieve while son is present. Let son work in closer & closer til he is right next to mom. Now pup is retrieving right next to son - have son begin giving the reward... petting & atta boys while pup stands victoriously with bumper in muzzle. Eventually, pup will figure out that son likes that game, too. Gradually step in until pup is playing retrieving games with son.

Don't do this all in one day = it's a gradual process, a little bit more each day.

Good advice.

thanks. will give it a go

IronSpikes---just wanted to let you know pup is now retrieving the bumpers and digging them out of the bushes for son. Thanks for the advice

That's the cool part of dogs. They are simple creatures and want more than anything to please. There are many little things that dogs learn from us some good some bad. That's why it's important to take your time and perfect each step before going on to the next. Once you get him on live birds you'll see the switch go on.

Awesome! That's great to hear! So glad it worked out for you.... sounds like lots of great times ahead!

ISP knows there stuff! I always see you give great advice.

Thanks so much! Always happy to help!