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

Also these guys are pack animals, need to learn that you are the alpha of the pack. A good way to do this is walking on leash. You are not teaching them to be tethered to you, you are teaching them to pay attention to you and follow your lead.

Put them on the leash, start walking, then stop a few times as the dog gets ahead. Don't jerk them hard or violently, just a little surprise, and they'll start to pay attention to you and understand who is boss. Do this for 100 yards a few times a day and that dog will do well.

Final pointer here, do not maintain constant tension on the leash as that teaches the dog to be tethered to you rather than follow your lead. Give gentle but firm tugs.

It's a lot easier to train other behaviors after they understand chain of command.