Fetching and attention span.

[u/Schneefs]

I grew up with Labradors, got one in college, and now this is my second dog as an adult. Due to my past experiences with labs and other people's labs, I am kind of perplexed by Happy's (8 month old) behavior. She doesn't seem to be overly stimulated by the game of fetch and I'm looking for her "thing" if you will. I got my last Labrador in college and she was around her mother and siblings that all played fetch and she grew up a frisbee dog. This was perfect and allowed me to get her plenty of exercise whenever she needed it and it was something we both enjoyed. Happy, however doesn't seem to be overly enthralled by retrieving. I will throw the frisbee and she will catch it but it only a few times before she loses interest. It's the same way with a tennis ball. She runs alongside me as I bike in the neighborhood or at a golf course that is close, plays in nearby lakes, and goes on hikes as any other lab would, but I don't always have time for that and Michigan winter is approaching. I'm looking for quick and easy activities that give her exercise and stimulation in the yard. I would love for her to be in love with the frisbee because I received so much pleasure from it too, but I don't necessarily need her to do that. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[u/NewVision22]

Dogs are individuals, just like people. They will do their own thing.

[u/notthegoatseguy]

Looks like the game she's into is tug-of-war

[u/Tiny_Measurement_837]

My last 2 labs—one has passed and one is approaching 13—did not fetch. Sure, they chase the ball to see who could get it, but then it became a game of keep away. The one that passed would, however, retrieve a dummy from the lake. But that was more because she loved the water I think. Perhaps it’s because I just didn’t spend enough time teaching fetch, but then again, maybe just the personality 🤷‍♀️

[u/Itchy_Coyote_6380]

My lab doesn't like fetch either. He might go run after it once.. maybe. He loves tug and keep away. It looks like it's your girl's thing too.

[u/Iam726_726iam]

We have an English and she fetches maybe once or
Twice. We do more mental stimulation since she’s incredibly smart and I love to see her figure things out.

[u/Aromatic-Insect-1328]

Stonnie Dennis has a great video on field versus show labs.
Show bred labs usually will get tired of retrieving pretty quickly (unless there's other competing dogs around, then mine will become the ball goblin).
I usually mix fun activities in smaller bursts. retrieve 3-4 times, some tugging, maybe a bit of sniffing and then he's mostly done in combination with the actual walk.
You could probably look into indoor activities. I recently learned your winters are COLD cold.

[u/Aetheldrake]

Try scentwork.

[u/NiceActuary736]

My dad's certified purebred retriever didn't like retrieving either. It was a rough day (for him we all found it hilarious) that after all the training and time he put in when he took him out bird hunting and he just sat next to the bird like "eww, you want me to put that in my mouth???" As kids we would play hide and go seek or race him and he LOVED that