I've heard the old saying, "can't teach an old dog new tricks" but I was just wondering, how old is old? My lab is 2 yrs. old, and she knows the basics, sit, stay, stuff like that. However, she has never had any training as far as retrieving birds is concrened. She likes to play fetch and seems to have a natural instinct for it (won't quit until she finds what she is looking for). Is she still trainable? If so, I would appreciate any advice anyone has for someone just getting started. I'm not looking for a champion, just a good hunting partner.

No not to old ,I have a 4 1/2 year old lab and this summer he is learning left and right by hand and voice . It may take longer just go slow and with love.

3 years old is the limit i think i havent messed with trying to train any thing older

Waaaaay back in the old days, a dog didn't even get into formal enforced training until it was 2 years old, so no, it's not too late. Just start out with a good training program and pretend that your dog is a puppy. Start at page one and go from there -- page by page, chapter by chapter.