re: Am I expecting too much from my lab puppy?

I field trialed labs for about 20 years but this info is worth what you paid for it.

First question - where did your training info come from? A book? Videos? The internet? Who is it?

First absolute statement - before you train the dog you have to train the trainer. Read that ten times if you didn't get it the first time.

Now my thoughts:

I wouldn't run him 3 miles. Dogs don't run like that unless there is a real reason to do so. His training running is more than enough. Do you swim him? OCD lesions are quite common in labs and other large dogs because they over exercised. Be quite cautious with that. Labs don't reach full skeletal growth until 9 months.

Hard headed labs are a part of life. You will have times in your lives when you have a test of wills. The last one will be right around two. Break up the training with some play at this age. You got to make it fun. Be patient but firm. Obedience will come with repetition and time. The stronger the bond between you grows the more he will want to please you.

Find a place to swim. Water helps cool him off and when they get hot they're like football players....they lose attention to detail, get sloppy, etc.

There are a number of good books out there. Richard Wolters Water Dog is a good one but the book I have given to friends the most is an old one, by D.L. Walters.

Training Retriever to Handle. Do yourself and your pup a favor and buy it and read it.

One last thing. The most important part of your body is your hand. Your hand brings love and gives direction. NEVER EVER EVER under any circumstances strike your dog in the head with your hand. In fact try not to ever strike your dog with your hand on his body.

Good luck. I would trade ten years of my life to have one more year with any of my three labs. All had totally different personalities and physical characteristics but when that tired dog lays down against you to sleep you know you've done right by him. I'm too old to do another so I am jealous!!