Dropping bird

[ips]

For some reason unknown to me and i cant quite pinpoint when it started, she has began to get to about 5yds of me with a retrieve then put the bird down and mess about for a few seconds before bringing it in. The only way i can explain it is that she seems to be re adjusting her hold rather than mouthing it as such. Doesnt do it all the time but regularly and seems to be predominantly with not very dead pheasant. She did it yesterday with a cock and yet brought a very dead partridge in without any problems......ideas and reasons please oh and how to fix

[CockerCanuck]

My Cocker does exactly the same thing Ips maybe on one in four or five birds. He will carry it quite a long distance but stop just in front of me to readjust his hold before delivering nicely to hand. Like you I can't decide if it is a necessary readjustment because he is loosing the bird or bothered by feathers in the back of his throat or if the little bugger is playing me with a minor rebellion in order to keep possession of the bird a bit longer before giving it up. I don't recall any of my Springers or Retrievers doing this so I am suspecting Cocker mischief.

I have not worried much about it because it is not getting worse but I will be interested in what others have to say about this.

[ips]

My Cocker does exactly the same thing Ips maybe on one in four or five birds. He will carry it quite a long distance but stop just in front of me to readjust his hold before delivering nicely to hand. Like you I can't decide if it is a necessary readjustment because he is loosing the bird or bothered by feathers in the back of his throat or if the little bugger is playing me with a minor rebellion in order to keep possession of the bird a bit longer before giving it up. I don't recall any of my Springers or Retrievers doing this so I am suspecting Cocker mischief.

I have not worried much about it because it is not getting worse but I will be interested in what others have to say about this.

Ñot just me then

Out of curiosity just had dummies out for first time in ages and no messing about with those.

[Springfield Pointers]

When dogs are tired, or fitness is lacking, they will sometimes do this once they are almost in with a delivery. If it's been a long day, the dog loses focus etc etc etc. Don't overthink it. It happens, these dogs are not robots.

[ips]

When dogs are tired, or fitness is lacking, they will sometimes do this once they are almost in with a delivery. If it's been a long day, the dog loses focus etc etc etc. Don't overthink it. It happens, these dogs are not robots.

Nothing to bad to worry about then ?

I was a bit worried that i had inadvertently caused it in some way even though i cannot think of anything that has happened or that i have done.

[Judy]

My much loved much missed senior Cocker would get almost up to me with a strong runner, very carefully put it down, give it a one second head start then catch it again before bringing it to me, it was almost as though the thrill of the chase was just too great a draw. More often than not she'd bring them right in then spin round and sit facing away from me. Dead ones, normal delivery, bitch! Very quirky, very Cocker.

[ips]

My much loved much missed senior Cocker would get almost up to me with a strong runner, very carefully put it down, give it a one second head start then catch it again before bringing it to me, it was almost as though the thrill of the chase was just too great a draw. More often than not she'd bring them right in then spin round and sit facing away from me. Dead ones, normal delivery, bitch! Very quirky, very Cocker.

Bit like a cat playing with a mouse then

[westcountry]

When dogs are tired, or fitness is lacking, they will sometimes do this once they are almost in with a delivery. If it's been a long day, the dog loses focus etc etc etc. Don't overthink it. It happens, these dogs are not robots.

Totally agree, if the dog is tired, had a hard day , got a mouth full of feathers , got a strong live cock kicking it in the face ? Use your common sense and give the dog a break.

[Judy]

My much loved much missed senior Cocker would get almost up to me with a strong runner, very carefully put it down, give it a one second head start then catch it again before bringing it to me, it was almost as though the thrill of the chase was just too great a draw. More often than not she'd bring them right in then spin round and sit facing away from me. Dead ones, normal delivery, bitch! Very quirky, very Cocker.

Bit like a cat playing with a mouse then

Yep! Another of my Cockers would always crunch the first bird she brought in but only if I'd had a bad journey to the shoot and had lost it somewhat with all the yummy Mummies on their school runs... Fine the rest of the day or if we'd had a good trip to the shoot - took me ages to work that one out. As she got older she got better at differentiating who was on the receiving end of my ire.

[ips]

My much loved much missed senior Cocker would get almost up to me with a strong runner, very carefully put it down, give it a one second head start then catch it again before bringing it to me, it was almost as though the thrill of the chase was just too great a draw. More often than not she'd bring them right in then spin round and sit facing away from me. Dead ones, normal delivery, bitch! Very quirky, very Cocker.

Bit like a cat playing with a mouse then

Yep! Another of my Cockers would always crunch the first bird she brought in but only if I'd had a bad journey to the shoot and had lost it somewhat with all the yummy Mummies on their school runs... Fine the rest of the day or if we'd had a good trip to the shoot - took me ages to work that one out. As she got older she got better at differentiating who was on the receiving end of my ire.

Interesting, so dog picked up on your frustration and as a result took it out on the first bird