Phoenix is 2.5years now, and up to now has had brilliant recall, Hunter will flush the quarry and Phoenix will catch it. Lately however he has been dilly dallying around with "his" quarry. Once he has caught it, he will carry it around and wont hand it back for a good few mins. He sometimes hasnt fully killed the quarry and therefore (personally) i find it quite distressing for the animal to have to suffer any longer than it has to, by being carried around in saids mouth.

The OH has gone back to basics in the house and he has been perfect, but outside the house (with a dummy) he does the same he wont hand it back without a good "lap of honour".

Do you think we need to go back to having him on a long line and using the dummy? Or are there any tips that can help?

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Can you set up a fence so that he's hemmed in on both sides and has no choice but to go in a straight line? Will he try and still run round you if you've got your back up against a fence/hedge as well?

No, he ran up and down, up and down wagging his tail!

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