We have no desire to retrieve. Not a good trait in a lab. 8wks old. Seems smart. We're 95% house broke. Goes to the door when needs to go. Loves the kennel to sleep, just tell her to go. Sits on verbal and hand command. Doesn't like leash, understandable. She will chase her toy. But never attempts to bring it back. I call here and she comes back empty handed. Forget putting a leash on her to pull her back, then all she wants to do is chew on the leash. Am I asking too much. I figured I would seem some desire to retrieve.

Not

I would put the leash on and have her just drag it around for about a week.

You're expecting WAY too much out of a dog that has only been alive 8 WEEKS. My pup was the same way and I was worried just as you are after just a few months she was just fine; and so will your pup.

I really think it depends on the dog...my lab retrieved from the time we brought her home, but now, at 8 years old, she doesn't like to go in her kennel. We had to work with her to get her to release properly and fetch like we wanted her to, but they're great dogs to have. Work with her and you'll be fine.

Let pup be a puppy..... dont put such high expectations on that youngster. Forget sit and work on retrieves with fun toys. Call me and I will teach a few tricks. I hate to type. 903 268 2035.

Let pup be a puppy..... dont put such high expectations on that youngster. Forget sit and work on retrieves with fun toys. Call me and I will teach a few tricks. I hate to type. 903 268 2035.

Did you get the dog from a good breeder from proven parents? If so, I wouldn't worry.

Sounds like pup may have become so focused on obedience and regiment that either the 'fun factor' is gone or pup is overly concerned with not breaking the rules (which she doesn't yet fully know.) In every other case, she is being expected to suppress her natural urges while in the case of the retrieve, she should act on them. That's understandably confusing. Back off the regiment and rules and focus on fun. Let the retrieve be lighthearted and natural. Extra encouragement may be needed, so give lots of verbal positive feedback so she will relax and start having fun. It's never a perfect science with pups, just keep in mind that all you really are trying to accomplish at this time is to nurture the desire to retrieve. You can add the rules later.

Here are some tiny pups responding to this approach:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMsD7rtLgEA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbHhcpXtPfY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up-NC71MohE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VzbdRK5G4s

I am just trying to make the retrieving fun and energetic with very short throws, 3-6 ft. She has no problem chasing and playing with it, she's just not too interested in bringing it back just yet.

Thanks John I will

Some books I've read say don't even start to train them until they're at least 1 yr old other than obediance commands. I started Max my Brittany at about 6 mos. just retrieving a soft chew toy. I learned real quick that you never yank the toy out of their mouth or they'll think it's a game to play all the time. Let him be a pup for a few months and then start. Dang look at that I finally broke 1 thousand posts.

Some books I've read said that now (7-12 weeks) is the best time to train because their brains are like a sponge and its easy for them to learn. Of course you don't ask too much or expect too much. Exposure is the name of the game. As they get older you can get formal and start adding pressure

Through my experience with dogs, patience is the hardest part of it all. It's also the most rewarding. I wouldnt be concerned with such a young pup.

Its not about bringing ot back its about going right now. Put her in the situation for success where she will bring it back like a hallway.

TRied that. There is just no attempt to bring it back. WE'll just keep playing and maybe the light will turn on

Does she at least grab or mouth the toy in any way? Or just do a 'nose tap' and run off?

she will go after it pounce on it but mostly just wants to lay on it and chew on it. I have started throwing a small bumper with her leash attached. Not throwing it but 6 ft or so and then pulling her gently back to ma with a lot of praise. Will this help or just keep throwing and hoping the light will come on one day.

If you don't have one, make a check leash with cord and a clip. Then put the cord on the BUMPER (or toy), rather than the dog. Chunk it out there a few feet and let pup chase after it. As soon as she tries to settle in for a good chew, yank it toward you just a few inches, but enough for her to "lose" it every time she tries to chew it. Keep it up, even if that means inching pup toward you, one yank at a time. If pup makes it all the way back, act like she retrieved it, take it from her mouth commanding "give" or "loose" (whichever you use), praise, then repeat.

What you are doing here is giving pup the idea that the reward comes when she is relinquishing the bumper/toy to you. Otherwise, there is no reward... the toy "escapes" every time she tries to make it her own, so there is no gratification in settling down to chew. Your goal is to frustrate, if not infuriate pup with the constantly escaping toy/bumper. At the same time, you are continually giving the opportunity to succeed. Every time pup loses the toy, repeat the 'fetch' command (because you know she is going to pounce on it) and as soon as she does, give her a moment to come to you while encouraging her with "here"... but if she settles in for a chew, yank, command "fetch", then "here" when she muzzles it. At some point, most pups want the reward, which they eventually associate with the return, so they finally come to you. When pup does it willingly, don't take it immediately - "share" it by holding the bumper/toy while allowing pup to also muzzle it, while praising and petting so pup knows she got the right answer - return to handler WITH the toy/bumper.

My lab was the same way. Now he's a beast in the field. I agree with everyone else let it be a pup it's time will come not sure where your located but I can recommend a great trainer that's not to expensive.