golden retriever - retraining ball retrieval

Question
I have a three yr old golden retriever and an eight year old lab mix. Both dogs love to chase and retrieve a tennis both or other dog toys. The golden usually wins between the two. Sonny (Golden) will not hand the ball back to me. He returns to me, turns around and teases me to try and get it back. This is the game he plays. If I ignore him, he'll lose interest until I pick the ball up from the floor and throw it again for the dogs to chase. Can older dogs learn new tricks? What can be done to re-train Sonny to turn over the ball?  

Answer
First you must claim the position of top dog.  The dogs see all the
people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in
the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members
outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by
reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class
or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with
a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/

Here are some other ways to let Sonny know you are top dog, http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm

Deliberately throw the ball several times where the older dog can reach it first.  When he brings it back, give him the drop or other command you are using.  When he drops it, praise and pet him, and then throw the ball again.  Once you think sonny should understand what you want, let him return with the ball.  When he comes back, make eye contact and say ''Sonny, drop!'' in a quiet, but firm voice.  Maintain eye contact.  If he drops it before too long, praise him and throw the ball again.  If not, say ''Sonny, bad dog!''.  Do not chase him or fight him for the ball.  He either does it your way, or you don't throw the ball again.  This will not work quickly, but he will catch on.