Advice needed please. Went out on the harness and long line round the maize and through the wood this morning. Rufus was subdued but well behaved. When we got back to the green, I wanted to do lots of exercise to make up for his tame walk. With the present harness which is duff, I remove it, because he is generally no trouble on the green. Today I had to get strict because he wanted to eat an old bacon rind a bird must have dropped. I wasn't having that and managed to get it out of his mouth. All was well and I threw the ball and he dashed off to retrieve it. I went to put the poo bag in the bin, a few yards from where I would normally stand with the ball thrower. He would usually come back to me wherever I am, so I can walk around and I use this move to enhance recall. However when I turned round he was heading home! I then saw the owner of the evil terrier who goes for his jugular, and assumed he was whimping out as although he turned his head when I called, he was clearly set on going home. I picked up my stuff and legged it, catching up with him at the side gate (thank DOG no roads are involved) only to find a wood pigeon in his mouth. It clearly was not dead when he found it and he must have surprised it behind the oak tree while my back was turned. I fully confess to not liking to grab birds from his mouth after wing feathers came out once. He looked very furtive and went off into the garden, no doubt to bury it. I still haven't found the last one he caught in the garden.
He is reasonable at giving up toys and balls. Is there a good way of making him give up prey?
