Lab retrieving

[cab09 0]

hi

 

I have an 8 month old Lab (dog), his basic training seems to be going quite well as he will sit, stay, recall and walk to heel on the lead.

 

However, I'm not sure if I may have a couple of problems starting to set in so would like to ask the experienced trainers for their advice.

 

Retrieving - to date I have only really practiced retreiving twice a week, limiting it to 3 retrieves a session. The dog will chase and pick up but then isnt really that interested in coming back to me as he would rather play with it, shake it, chew it etc (which worries me). I havent snatched anything off him in the past and have praised him for carrying things as a younger pup.

 

I have mainly been in a corridoor situation but have also tried it out in open fields. He does come back eventually but doesnt like to give the dummy up. I have praised him and tried tickling/ stroking under his chin to help raise his head but again keeps turning his head away. I have used puppy dummys and small paint rollers for the retrieves. However, when at home he also brings his toys in close proximity then starts to growl (playfull growl not threatening) as if to boast and parade around me. If i go to take them from him he again moves his head away. Its as if he knows what he is doing and likes to wind me up and its his game not mine! Im hesitant at showing him whose boss as dont want to get into a tug of war or put him off retrieving for life!

 

Should I be worried, is it his age, should I be more forceful/ reprimand him..............any advice much appreciated

 

Thankyou