When Bertie the Cocker Spaniel Swapped Toys for Feathers
For every owner who’s wondered: why does my dog have a secret life as a bird hunter?
True stories from the life of professional dog behaviourist Theo Stewart. She lives in a pretty town in South West England and has helped thousand of dogs and their owners to live happier lives together over the last 20 years.
What happens when a well-trained Cocker Spaniel suddenly decides the garden is his hunting ground?
Meet Bertie.
And meet his very concerned humans.
Bertie’s a three-year-old Working Cocker Spaniel.
He’s full of energy.
He’s got a busier schedule than most people.
Gundog training? Check.
Agility classes? Check.
A loving home with a garden big enough to get lost in? Check.
But there’s one thing Bertie’s humans didn’t plan for.
He hunts, catches, and eats birds.
It started small.
A curious poke in the hedgerow.
A flutter of wings.
Then—snap.
Bertie had his first bird.
At first, his owner could sometimes swap the unlucky catch for sardines.
But by then, the bird was usually too injured to survive.
The guilt weighed heavily.
Not just for the birds, but for Bertie’s health.
And despite all that training, nothing seemed to stop him.
A confusing contradiction.
Bertie excels in his gundog classes.
Retrieving dummies and handing them over like a pro.
But in the garden, things get blurry.
The training might be fuelling his rogue bird hunts.
So how do you explain to a dog that there’s a difference between a dummy in class and a live bird in the bushes?
Bertie’s humans needed a new plan.
Their one-acre garden feels impossible to police.
But Bertie doesn’t like being out there alone.
That’s where his owner has the upper hand.
They began with small changes.
A new cue.
A different recall from what he’s used to.
And when Bertie came back?
Big rewards.
Tug games.
Fluffy toys flying in the opposite direction.
Even a playful sprint with his owner.
Anything to make coming back more exciting than chasing birds.
But it wasn’t just about training.
Could something be missing from Bertie’s diet?
They decided to tweak his meals, just in case.
And there was another challenge.
Bertie’s excitement.
The more wired he got, the less he listened.
Helping him stay calm became just as important as calling him back.
But what if he still caught a bird?
If Bertie got lucky again, there was one rule.
No chasing him.
Instead, his owner would walk inside.
Shut the door.
Bertie hates being left outside alone.
Maybe that would do the trick.
In every other way, Bertie is the perfect companion.
This bird-hunting habit?
Just a bump in the road.
With time and patience, Bertie’s humans hope he’ll trade his bird-chasing days for something a little less feathery.
Does your dog need Theo’s help?
Click here if you would like to get Theo’s expert help tailored to you and your dog.
Next time
Now that Bertie and human family are feeling less concerned, it’s time to meet a new friend who’s stirring up a different kind of chaos.
Next time, you’ll meet Amber, the sweet Rottweiler who just can’t stop chasing shadows.
Discover how her humans are trying to bring calm to her restless world.
About the author
Theo Stewart is a dog behaviourist who lives in a pretty town in South West England.
This is a true story. For privacy, names and details have been changed.
Remember, every dog is unique. Always consult a professional for advice tailored to your dog’s needs. Click here to get help that will be tailored to you and your dog.
Author: Theo Stewart
Editor: Sarah Hyndman (Theo’s daughter)
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