Kahlua is 8 weeks old and will not run for a ball. I don't know if there is some method in getting them to fetch it and bring it back, but I think my boys would love it if she learned how. This is probably a dumb question-- but I have no clue. :)

Not Dumb at all.. I was wondering the same thing:D Ill be sure to check back later to see the suggestions :)

Now at 10 weeks Jackson is actively retreiving a tennis ball up to about 20 feet away.

We started by tossing the ball 3 or 4 feet away. When he chased the ball we clicked. Jackson knows that click = treat. From there we increased the distance out to about 10 feet and continued to reward him for merely chasing the ball. All the while we were saying "get the ball"

After a few days of that we held off on clicking when he chased the ball but rewarded when he held the ball in his mouth and moved toward us. After a few rounds of that I think he just figured out it was faster to run right to us with the ball in his mouth to get his treat.

We don't use the clicker anymore, just say get the ball and have a treat ready. And now he doesn't get a treat every time, but say every third time.

I found it works well to use a toy that the dog likes. Have it sit and wave the toy around and then when the dog is absolutely going crazy for it, throw it. I found the pup is more apt to grab the toy in it's mouth than just a ball (At least at first). When the pup has the toy in it's mouth ask him to come. Sounding really excited helps. It's pretty important that the pup has the "come" command down. The pup will tend to bring the toy back just because it is already in it's mouth. Praise the dog a lot. Make a huge deal out of it. Then repeat. It's also good not to make the training sessions too long. The pup will tend to lose interest. Make it fun, not a chore. I tend to leave snacks out of it because the my pups always seemed to get preoccupied. I'm sure that there are plenty of other ways to do it but this worked for me. Keep me posted on the progress and good luck.

My 8 week old Abbey will almost always run to get the ball or toy, but only brings it back when she feels like it...

I have found, though, that her perepheral vision is quite lacking (assuming at this age)...so you can't throw the object above her out of sight...it has to still always be in her line of sight. If you throw too high...she has absolutely NO IDEA what you are doing. That's what I have found anyway.

I agree..start with small retrieves and gradually build it up...praising and rewarding her when she gets it right...it seems almost instinctual for these dogs to fetch!! It really is amazing.

I also read that Labs that compete in hunt trials...have to learn 'blind' marking...where they do not even see the bird or object fall...and the owner will use commands and hand signals to guide the dog to the drop. Now...this I have to see!! They say it is pure amazing!!!!