My lab is not interested in retrieving

[BRETTVH]

Hi,
I have a one year old lab he lives in the house with us and is a very well behaved dog. I am trying to train him to go hunting with me. The only problem is that he has little interest in retrieving. He loves to play catch in the house but will not play outside. I have tried everything I could think of and I cannot get him to play catch any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks

[MikeLynn]

Hi and welcome! Not all retrievers are crazy about retrieving In the apartment, she loves retrieving her tennis ball so much that she keeps bugging me, trying to make me play, but outside it's once, twice, thrice and she loses interest in the game. I think it's because of all the distractions - deer, rabbits, hare, mice, moles... Fortunately we aren't into hunting, so it's okay, but sometimes I'm afraid our downstairs neighbor is not very happy about all the noise. No fun having a seventy pounder cheerfully galloping right above your head at 9 p.m. We happen to live in an apartment building, but we're lucky - she's a very nice lady and loves Mel.

[Berna]

More detail please? He won't run after a toy or he won't get it back?

[BaconsMom]

Welcome to the forum. I would start trying retrieving outside with his favorite toy. If he has never done retrieving outside that may be the issue. He may just not know what to do in the new environment. Have you talked with your breeder?

[windycanyon]

Try to find a retriever hunt test club. Maybe all he needs is a little live pigeon chase, but I agree, depending on the lines, they don't all have the same desire in life.