He's 7 now and the latest is to bury the retrieved birds. Its a new thing, first started 3 shoots ago. A lab did steal his retrieve whilst coming in to me but as this has happened before, cant think this was the cause.

He will retrieve as per usual then off to find a pile of leaves to bury the bird, trots back to me! I'm left to find the damn thing.Shame as now I can only beat with him. Any clues to this maddening change in behaviour.

I must confess that this is a new one on me.  It certainly sounds like a "possession" thing though, he's reluctant to give the bird up.

I'd try going back to only letting him do short retrieves, and possibly going a few steps towards him on the inrun, giving praise/encouragment all the while.  Position yourself between any piles of leaves etc if you can, and get him to sit when you meet up, gently taking the bird with lots of praise.  Also avoid the thieving lab if you can - I know of guns taking other guns birds but dogs on retrieves.................

Thanks Neil, I'll go back to basic training for a bit, I know it never stops. Hes a soft dog so I'm extra cautious to treat him with praise and not raise my voice, which he hates.

The naughty lab is a pain and I do my best to stay clear, she is not kept under enough control for my liking but has taken a shine to my boy and "tarts" herself around him. If there is such a thing as a gay dog he would fit the bill.Dopey dog that he is doesnt seem to mind the thievery or does he? She has run in and swipped from under his nose, not dogs fault but some older chaps dont care much for etiquette.

Trouble is once the rot sets in...........hopefully we can nip this in the bud.

How do you normally reinforce the delivery of the retrieve

That's why cockers are called "The Undertakers"! Fortunately I've only had one cocker that burried his retrieves. He did it when he was a pup once or twice then never did it again till he was 12. He did it on his last day out picking up so I'm sorry I can't pass on any tips to help. At least your dog gave up the bird and they didn't end up having a tug of war with it. I'm so glad my lot just give up birds - it's funny how it's ALWAYS!! Labs that do the thieving!!

BM, the usual is, he is run out, picks up and comes in without hesitation. If hes had to hunt out of sight he'll appear and sometimes I have to "jazz hands" to attract his attention, I guess we all look similar from a distance. I tap my chest for him to come in close and look up, he delivers, not always to hand but I'm not a stickler. He gets verbal and physical praise. His reward would be another retrieve when training/playing.

Thats it,nothing has changed. We clicker trained for first 2 or 3 years [ 7 and half now] but I gave up as I just kept forgetting the clicker and hes been fine till now.

 I wonder if over time your dog has slipped a bit and a bit more, and then some in the practice of his craft. I am going to suggest you re shape the delivery,you will always have your mouth and you can clicker train without a clicker, try using a short sharp sound such as "GA",  you need to associate the sound with a high quality reinforcer, just as you would in clicker training.

  Once the association is made you don't need to "GA" and treat every time, but you may have to re associate from time to time. I am listening to this advice myself, it's easy especially on a shoot to forget that most cockers benifit from a bit of training maintainance, a little bit of positive re shaping.    Does that make sense?

Many thanks for a prompt reply BM, yes I do get what you are suggesting and will rethink a better strategy. His hearing is not as good these days but by no means deaf. I would hope we can have a quite few more seasons of enjoyment together.

With nipper coming along, you are probably right, he doesnt get as much attention as my time has to shared. Righto I'm off to start today, with only a few big days out left be nice to finish on a high.

I am the same, the young dogs get all the training and attention. best wishes with the loder one.