lab won't play? :(

Wondering if this behavior is symptomatic of poor socialization early
in life...? My recently adopted 2-year old lab mix, Bo, just doesn't
seem interested in playing...roll a ball past him or toward
him....nothing. Try to get him interested in chew toys, rope pulls,
etc., and he just yawns. If I even suggest a little "fetch" with a
tennis ball, he acts offended. Ok, that last one was sort of a
joke...actually, he just acts completely detached and disinterested
from anything even remotely resembling "play". Is this normal for a 2
year old lab? He does like his walks, and he is responding pretty well
to some of the training I've done so far with him (stay, down, etc).
He is affectionate and loving, and as well-behaved and as gentle a dog
as I've ever seen. I know the previous owners well (they had to move
overseas and couldn't take him) and I know he's never been abused in
any way, but I'm not altogether sure about the socialization and
interaction with other dogs and people he's had since he was born.
So, I guess I'm just wondering if I should be concerned about his
aversion to play?

Thanks,
Dave

In <4fec2fa3.0308200430.7d8bc94a.RemoveThis@posting.google.com> Dave Austin wrote:
> Wondering if this behavior is symptomatic of poor socialization early
> in life...? My recently adopted 2-year old lab mix, Bo, just doesn't
> seem interested in playing

Have you tried putting him near another dog that's very playful ?.

He might take the clue that playing is something worth trying.

Another thing to try might be to play with food. Tease him a little
and throw food for him to run after. Best done outdoors, obviously :-)