The floating Kong Dog Toy is great for both water and land retrieving. If you're too busy to throw things, a Lab will fetch anyway. I keep my purse out of reach or she'll swipe my wallet. Play and work are the same to a Lab. Interesting daily activity is necessary to prevent boredom.
Labs learn quickly with positive reward-based training.
They're especially good at retrieving, but they also excel at scent work. Some of the best contraband-detecting dogs at the U.S. borders are Labrador Retrievers. Underemployed Labs amuse themselves by barking, chewing, digging, and escaping. Interesting chew toys are essential to keep them busy when left alone. They love to eat and, without sufficient exercise, will tend to grow obese, which can shorten their lives and aggravate the hip or elbow problems that some Labs inherit.