Good dog going bad and then back to good

Here's how a good retrieving dog goes bad and what we did to make it good.

Larsen has become a pretty good retriever, but on his own terms and not yours.  He is not above setting a bird down a foot in front of you rather than bringing it to your side and to your hand.  This is a never-ending issue with Larsen, who either improves or deteriorates but never stands still.

We did a little yard work to overcome this resistance.

We played some fun fetch with a squeaky toy.  Larsen eagerly retrieved, but did not want to give it up. Look at the photos.  You will see that Larsen looks everywhere except eye-to-eye with me.  He loved the chase.  He loved the retrieve.  But he was conflicted on the fetch & give because he wanted to keep the toy for himself.  He sidled up to me, but would not look at me and offer me the gift.  

So we sat there and enjoyed one another's company.  Me breathing in the spring air, and Larsen being a pistol.  At some point he looked up at me; possibly out of sheer curiosity.  I gently said "good boy - - give" and took the squeaky toy.

I didn't tug at the squeaky toy.  I didn't blow at Larsen's nose, or pinch his cheek.  These actions may all have their places in establishing a nice fetch, but sometimes playing a calming mind game with a spaniel can teach a dog a new trick.