Comments on: How Do I Teach My Labrador To Fetch

By: Sabine

Sabine — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 13:31:42 +0000

Hi, I have a labmix. I started playing with a little snack hidden under an upset gobble amongst 3, two of them empty ones. After he found the snack I repeated the game quite a few times until one day je picked up the upset gobble where the snack was and gave it to me, so every time he did this I gave him a snack and started doing it with other things...and since he picks up everything I ask for even if he has to chase it first . If he drops it he will go and pick it up and put it into my hand! Of cours only if I ask for it with" look for" and then 'give". He even pulls off gently my socks after a walk and give s me it back if I say give a.s.o A real retriever

By: Jennifer Fahey

Jennifer Fahey — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 14:11:20 +0000

I have a almost 5 year old yellow lab Dixie that will not play fetch will not have a toy for more then a minute without destroying it. She is a bit over weight I have cut her food but she gets no exercise because I can’t get her to fetch. She needs to start playing but she won’t any suggestions ?? All she does is look for food I try to play with her but she barks and runs to the frig like give me food lol HELP PLEASE

By: kevin williams

kevin williams — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 23:59:15 +0000

Hi I would keep the treats but only give him 1 if he he is calm and polite, when he brings the ball back ask him to sit when he does offer him a treat but if he then jumps you withhold the treat until he sits nice I would also put him on a longline this way if he wont comply you can still walk him home buy using it as a leash, to be honest my dog drags his leash everywhere with him when wher out walking runing or retrieving if a fight or scuffle where to take place I can easily gain control without been bitten if he jumps up at a member of the public I can correct his behaviour before it becomes a problem also if hes on the longline he cant runoff to play with other dogs and if he does then the walk is over and we go home remember your dogs safety comes 1st

By: Julie iovine

Julie iovine — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 14:04:03 +0000

My 18-month black lab went through a tough phase at 12-16 mos where whenever stressed/excited he jumped at & bit ME, my arms, shoulders, bag. It took a lot of training & maturing to help him
Now on occasion when throwing a ball off leash (and treating to get a good drop at feet) after 4-5 throws he lunges and bites me
As he’s off leash I have a hard time releashing and calming him without getting wrist bites
Should I delete the treats and/or not throw ball more than 3 times till he’s older?
Please advise!

By: Tania

Tania — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 12:16:26 +0000

Hi Pippa, I have a nearly 7 month old lab who simply loves to retrieve. She would chase a ball and return it all day, every day, if she had the option. I am concerned however about her joints. I noted the point in one of the books about walking up stairs – I have tried to limit that but she has walked up and down the stairs once or twice a day since she was about 5 months old. I also read about too much jogging for puppies. Does too much fetch have an impact on joints also? Thanks!

By: Sharon

Sharon — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 02:18:44 +0000

My black Lab, Bonnie, was taught to retrieve. Most of the puppy classes I took her to taught positive ways to get dogs to retrieve. At first, when she was new at it, she didn’t like giving the ball up. Over time, we persisted and she usually dropped the ball at our feet and only stopped giving it back when she was tired – after many throws with the Chuck It. She absolutely adored retrieving and would do it any day, any time, many times a day. I think they do grow to love it more as they get older and less distractible. It’s so important for labs because there is absolutely no other way to exercise them enough and tire them out so they can be calm and happy indoors. I’ve met so many heavy Labs and Goldens that are under exercised. Our dog Bonnie was trim and fit all her life and she lived to be almost 15. I attribute it to the amazing exercise she got retrieving. They truly were born to do it and I believe it is absolutely necessary to bring it out in them.

By: Pippa

Pippa — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 15:59:39 +0000

In reply to Katy. Hi Katy, how lovely that you have given your boy a good home. You will need to take the lead from him, he may never be very playful, but right now he is probably still rather traumatised by the change in his life, even though things are getting better for him, it will take time for him to adjust. You may find he becomes more playful in time. Do have a go at clicker training to get him working with you and bonding with you. If you join the forum you'll be able to talk to others that have taken on rescue dogs and get support from them. Good luck with your dog.

By: Katy

Katy — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 15:35:56 +0000

Hello, we just adopted a 4 year old black lab. The SPCA found him abandoned. He has scars from where a collar was embedded in his neck, defensive scars on his face and legs, and was severely malnourished. I don’t believe he was ever taught how to play. He didn’t even know how to chew on a bone! My trouble is, I want him to run and play. He doesn’t know how and I don’t know how to teach him. I took him to the dog park the other day and he just followed me around. He had no interest in the other dogs or their toys. I threw a ball for him and he just stared at it. His ears perked up, then that was it. I’ve had labs before (my chocolate passed away last year) but I’m not sure how to help him. He is very sweet and deserves to “play”. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

By: joman saddul

joman saddul — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 14:38:42 +0000

Hi. Im just wondering why my 2 month old labrador does not eat much and is not always active. Any suggestions?

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 18:22:22 +0000

In reply to Isabelle.

2 suggestions.
1. Try duck or quail scent on the retrieve toy. Smell is a strong sense and may stimulate some response.
2. Find a trained retriever and have your dog watch only for a bit and you may see an opportunity to get him going that way.
I realize it is 6 moths since your post so I hope you have already succeeded. 😉