possessive dog retrieving

[captainhastings]

Just wonder on any tips. This is a lurcher mind. Any toys of value he has no urge to share and would rather throw around him self. He has all ways been possessive over food toys etc but got much better the less fuss you make the better he is and we have worked through a lot of issues.
Been lamping this year and any rabbits he catches he will trot by me with go about ten yards and drop. If I make an issue and start saying fetch or make a thing of it he will go further. if I say nothing he is fine and just stands by it waiting to go for the next. Because he has only started really there is a lot of novelty factor I am hoping with more work he will walk on less and less then maybe I can start encouraging him to me

He knows what fetch means and an rope toy in the house will fetch fine. Unless you go some where else like out side. In a hall way too he would try and avoid if possible.
to add he is 18 months with lots of drive

[Springfield Pointers]

This behavior has been created by you and is something the dog has learned from your interactions with him. I think it is something you are going battle to rectify in the short term. If you're finding it acceptable then try and make the best of it.

[captainhastings]

He is with me for life so that is fine. I obviously went wrong some where

[captainhastings]

As another example he caught first day time one a few weeks ago and I couldn't get to him quickly (had catch ferret) so he had time to play about with it. When I got there he had rolled over submissive and a bit growly. I didn't make a fuss and popped lead on and when he had calmed down distracted him and took the rabbit
Few days later caught enother and came towards me ten yards and let me take no issues. Though he was about 80 yards away at the time

[Springfield Pointers]

and a bit growly.

Must say, that is something I would be a little concerned at.

[captainhastings]

used to be a sod for it over food etc but it is a rare occurrence now a days and he was on his back at the time. Any way I just thought maybe people had the odd gun dog who might be a bit possessive. His not nasty by a long shot and I have no concerns there. I will keep at it the way I am as he catches more and gets more used to game and comfortable with me taking it off him I can hopefully turn it around. As he works I can see improvement so I am sure it will come

[Springfield Pointers]

Should not be growling at you mate.

[captainhastings]

I can take a bone no issues if I wanted it was just the excitement of the occasion after playing with it for fair while. I kept cool and calm and all ended well. The next day time one he was fine.

[newf]

I would keep my hands off him and work on ob with leash and no distractions. If his focus on you is good then work around his toys which he assumes he owns. Keep his focus on you and not the distractions. If successful, move on to his food bowl. Have a long line on him and recall him once during a meal and have him sit before releasing him to his meal again. Be calm and firm and keep your praise light to maintain the control. He needs to get accustom to the fact that he may be asked to leave what he wants and focus on you. This attitude then needs to be gradually carried over to the hunt situations.

[Naj]

Have you tried retrieving cold rabbits at home. Do it somewhere fairly enclosed & see if you can encourage him right in to you without necessarily taking it off him. Perhaps walk away if he looks like stopping short. Or give him one to carry while waking on a leash at heel & just keep praising, stopping & stroking then walking on. Then do the same walking backwards with him on a leash following with the rabbit. Stopping & stroking & then walking backwards again. Then build up from there with a short retrieve where you sit the dog, walk on a few yards & drop the rabbit halfway then recall him over it so he picks it on the way, on a training line if you think he might veer off with it. Then work on from there.

Naj