My lab is 5 months old and I would say 4 times out of 10 he will not retrieve a thrown toy. Is this because he is too young or is it because they have to be trained to retrieve? I thought being a labrador it was in his genes to retrieve anything that moved!
2006-11-20 02:30:08 · 14 answers · asked by Dingle-Dongle 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I have a three year old lab and it took him a while to figure it out as well! Sometimes I think he has ADD and just loses interest or finds something else to do! But eventually he got it, and trust me when your puppy finally gets it, you will be wishing he hadn't!! You will be throwing that ball over and over!! :-)
Have fun and Good luck!!
2006-11-20 02:35:25 · answer #1 · answered by Sandy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some of them seem to do it instinctively, but you can teach them to do it, my labrador will retrieve the toy but then won't give it to you, eventually she gets bored and doesn't even bother to retrieve it! Make sure play is varied so the dog doesn't get bored, play tug of war or chase in between then go back to thowing & retrieving again. If you give loads of praise when he does do it he should get the message. He's still young, so he can still learn.
2006-11-20 02:36:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Throwing a dog into the water will just terrify him. See if there's a beach in your area where you can take him. Walk him into the water, stopping often to give him time to get used to the idea of water without soap. :) Bring his favorite floating toy; tennis balls are great for this. Toss it a short distance PARALLEL to the shore, to encourage him to run in shallow water, kicking up spray. When he shakes all over you, laugh at him and splash him back. Gradually work him into deeper water, until he's swimming. Any time he hesitates, stop and give him time to adjust. re the pool; make sure there's an escape ramp that he can use that will reliably hold him: even a great swimmer can drown if he is trapped in the pool with no way out.
2016-03-29 02:39:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My three year old Lab mix doesn't care to retrieve either. We have been playing fetch since she was 9 weeks old. She just doesn't care for that game. I thought it was strange too, but she has other games that she enjoys and we're not looking to turn her into a hunting dog so we're ok with it.
I also used to have a German Short-Haired Pointer that was gun-shy.
2006-11-20 02:34:38 · answer #4 · answered by KJ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hiya
I'd say he's too young yet but introduce it to him as a game and only in very short lengths of time to strart with
All the Best!
I have three labradogs and they all have different quirks for retrieving!
2006-11-20 03:25:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My sister's Lab was the same way. She got him through a rescue as an adult. At 3 years old, we took him & my Boxer (never have ever met a Boxer that would not retreive!) out in the yard & played fetch. He would follow my Boxer back & forth, and we were all very positive & overloaded him with praise. Eventually, he got the point & got in on the game, too! He will fetch for a while now - not quite has his heart in it, but will play. So, I suggest letting him learn by example by the side of an enthusiastic fetcher & don't forget to PRAISE, praise, praise!
2006-11-20 03:22:31 · answer #6 · answered by mustanglynnie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He just probably needs more time. Keep practicing, making it fun. Experiment with different objects and toys, finding his favorite. Try balls, dumbells, sticks, etc... Some dogs retrieve naturally and some need training and some just don't understand or are not interested. It's funnny you said this though 'cause I had a Golden Retirever puppy who hated the water and I thought they natuarlly loved swimming. Just practice with him and remember, make it fun!!!! GOOD LUCK.
2006-11-20 02:38:17 · answer #7 · answered by SHELTIELUVER 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it all depends on the dog. Some dogs chase everything that moves, others don't chase anything at all. It is in the breed type that they are to retrieve, but some dogs just don't. He might grow out of it, he might not, you just have to wait and see. Or you could try training him.
2006-11-20 02:35:28 · answer #8 · answered by YourRoomate 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we have a retriever she doesn't she is 5, she will always go and get something when you come home. We are currently trying to get her to retrieve not easy!!
2006-11-20 02:39:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Retrieving is part gene, part education. You have to teach your dog to use his natural retrieving instinct. Puppies are like kids, you can mold them into what you want them to be. And if you don't and they become monsters, it's your own fault!! :-)
2006-11-20 02:33:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋