Tango, my 4yo black show cocker had generally settled down in the last couple of years and though he's not perfect, he's great with the grandchildren and I could generally walk him in my local woods (which are mainly sandy ground) without any real problems. We walk round and also have a game of ball in the more open areas, though I try to sometimes get the ball into the undergrowth so he has to scent it out.
But he's suddenly taken to only really being interested in diving off into the undergrowth (mainly ferns and brambles) and getting his nose down the rabbit and badger holes that are all over the site. I can see from the foliage movement he doesnt generally go far but needless to say his hearing goes and he only comes out when he's ready! He will still have a game of ball but may just run off "mid game" into the bushes. As he's walked here almost every day for 4 years he knows every path and also his way home (my back gate has direct access into the woods) so I try not to get too stressed, but I know thats not really the point.
I am looking for advice as to what the best thing to do is, especially as I don't drive any more due to progressive disability so I can't just take him somewhere else for a few days. Do I walk him round the woods on a long lead or resort to just streetwalking around our village? I do get the occasional lift out to walk him somewhere else but I am obviously reluctant to let him off lead in a different area, and I am very concerned about a planned short break in October in the new forest.
Thanks for looking, any thoughts welcome. Kevin