Hate to see someone get rid of a fine lab. They get out and bolt, because it's in their nature to run. For the first 4 yrs of a lab's life, they have an amazing sense to explore and follow scent. They are work dogs. If you don't spend time with it and I mean, a concerted effort to spend time with the dog FOR the dog each day, they will turn thier back on you and high tail it. There is a good fix for it... Invisible fence. But I chose a shock collar for my dog. During gun training it was necessary, but for home it was MORE necessary. Those dogs need a job! If you take him out, throw a tennis ball for at least 10 or 15 minutes, run and wrestle with them. Run him down and he'll love it and love you. But without a shock collar or invis fence, you'll always have the battle of them taking off. Nature is a hard thing to beat. But those collars are the trick. Nice selection at Sportsman's Warehouse. I bought an Innotech there. Good value and good brand. Hope this helps. But right now, he's trained to run.... Maybe try putting a few treats in your pocket when you take him out. Give him 1/2 of one when you start, then 1/2 after he goes to the bathroom, then the other when he comes and re-enters the house. That will help, but won't hold him all the time.
